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From the Editor Greetings Lincoln Nation! It’s been an exciting two weeks full of The holidays are quickly approaching Lincoln Nation! awards, achievements and good deeds. It’s that time of the year when gift giving, good will towards your fellow man and remembering the good times as some of us can’t be with our families. Speaking of rememberance, Sailors visited Gettysburg and honored the fallen with luminaries for their sacrifice. Our Sailors also teamed up to take on Eisenhower Sailors in a full throttle paintball contest. Our competitive spirits, not to be quelled, gave way to the ongoing Captain’s Cup basketball tournament, where competition is fierce. From all of us here at the Penny Press, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season to you and your family! Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year!
The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 23
CO’s Call
Story and Photos by: MC3 Jonteil Johnson
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apt. Karl O. Thomas, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), answered junior Sailor’s questions during a CO’s call at Langley Air Force Base’s enlisted club. “This is a meeting aimed at answering any questions my junior enlisted Sailors have for me,” said Thomas. “I realize I may not get a chance to hear their ideas, so this is a chance for their voices to be heard.” Before Thomas heard from the junior members of the crew, he shared information, such as DUI and sexual assault statistics as well as crew morale and progress on the ship’s refueling complex overhaul (RCOH). “I want to make sure you all understand my expectations,” said Thomas. “I understand the message can get distorted when it comes down the chain, but you heard it from me. I care about all of you because you are what make Abe so great.” Thomas also talked about the work that needs to be done on the ship. “When Abe first got back from deployment, it was our time to relax and spend time with our families,” said Thomas. “Now, as we get well into RCOH we need to work harder. Sometimes that entails staying at work longer than we’re used to, but we’re doing great with our schedule thus far.” Command Master Chief Gregg Weber, reinforced Thomas on the expectations of the crew. “Life can be difficult in the yards for Sailors. Most of us don’t get to do much of what we joined the Navy for, and that can be upsetting, said Weber. “However, our mission is to get Abe back out to the fleet on time or sooner. We have to work hard so we make the transition for our relief easier.” After they spoke, Thomas and Weber opened the floor to questions from Sailors. “I’m proud of all the work you do and encourage you to keep it up,” said Thomas.
Dec. 6, 2013
GETTYSBURG 1863
LINCOLN SAILORS
HONOR GETTYSBURG’S FALLEN Story and Photos By: MC3 Danian Douglas
Eight Sailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) honored fallen soldiers of the Battle of Gettysburg by helping to place luminary candles at the 3,512 Civil War gravesites in the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg National Military Park, Nov. 23. The tour was part of the ship’s commemoration of the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Led by Lt. David Duprey, a chaplain aboard Lincoln, the group joined forces with scores of civilian
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volunteers in the evening to receive instruction on setting up the luminaries, cleanup duties and were treated to an in-depth, expert tour of the entire park by a licensed battlefield guide. Debra Novotny, a Gettysburg National Military Park guide helped provide a tour of the park for the visiting Sailors. “The Sailors visited Seminary Ridge with the Virginia Monument, Little Round Top, and drove throughout the entire park, identifying many sights including the Pennsylvania Monument which features
The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 23
LINCOLN SAILORS 2013
Abraham Lincoln’s statue,” said Novotny. This was a significant milestone for members of the ship’s crew to participate in as a tie to USS Abraham Lincoln’s motto, “Shall Not Perish” which is taken from the last line of the Gettysburg Address. One of the most memorable experiences, according to Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Datrel Johnson, came on the hill overlooking the vast battlefield. “When the group stood on Little Round Top, the look in our junior Sailors’ eyes manifested the importance of the sacrifices made in the valley and the impact of
Dec. 6, 2013
the devotion of the soldiers who died defending their beliefs and freedom,” said Johnson. Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Dianna Ortiz participated in the visit to Gettysburg and gained a valuable understanding of the sacrifices made by so many. “Being able to walk in Abraham Lincoln’s shoes has given me more of an understanding of what his message was,” said Ortiz. “This makes me even more proud to be able to serve on a ship that was named in his honor.”
LINCOLN PAINTBALL
Story and Photos By: MCSN Ellen Long
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ailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) squared off in a paintball battle at the Chesapeake Sports Park, Nov. 22, to promote camaraderie between the two ships. The Armed Forces YMCA of Chesapeake, Va., sponsored the 80 participants from both commands. Chief Machinist’s Mate Travis Bailey, Lincoln’s command fitness leader, helped coordinate the event. “Whatever the type of team, the core ingredient for success remains the same, making this group of people into a cohesive unit that can quickly build a foundation of trust, capitalize on the skill sets of the team members and capture the synergy of the group,” said Bailey. “In this case, we utilized paintball to bring out these
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The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 23
values that exist throughout our crew.” Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Amber Scott of Lincoln’s dental department said she enjoyed having a fun Friday. “It was awesome to play for free,” said Scott. “Normally paint ball is so expensive.” Lincoln’s Command Master Chief Gregg Weber said that this fun event provided a unique opportunity for the Sailors of two carriers to build camaraderie. “It gives our Sailors some command pride in the friendly competition amongst another great warship like the IKE,” said Weber. “It is great that there are organizations like the Armed Forces YMCA out there that support our Sailors and we are grateful for their generosity.”
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The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 23
Dec. 6, 2013
Story and Photos By: MCSN Christopher Huot
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ight departments assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) competed against one another in Captain’s Cup basketball games at Huntington Hall, Nov. 25. In the final games of the season, four departments— Weapons, Combat Systems, Transportation and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) — won their matches. Weapons nipped Health and Services 15-9, by dominating the court. Combat Systems bested Air Department 16-12. Transportation stomped the decking team by an astonishing 23-10, while AIMD slipped past Administration 14-10. Lincoln Sailors cheered for their respective teams as they watched players aggressively maneuver the court, fighting for the ball. “Administration lost their game but because their team worked together, they made AIMD fight for their victory,” said Yeoman Seaman Apprentice Victoria Brausch, a spectator. “The game was rough and there were a lot of fouls, but that will happen when everyone is playing their hardest,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Lester Lewis, Lincoln’s decking team. The Captain’s Cup playoffs begin on Dec. 2 and will determine who will win the Captain’s Cup basketball trophy.
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Dec. 6, 2013
Story from: USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs Photos by: MC3 Jeremiah Mills
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ore than 30 families dined on a Thanksgiving feast on board USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) Floating Accommodation Facility (FAF) in Newport News, Nov. 28. Sailors serving on duty dined with their families during Thanksgiving filling their dinner plates with the seasonal fixings from turkey to yams. “I think it was a great opportunity for the families, as well as a morale booster,” said Information S y s t e m s Te c h n i c i a n 2 n d Class Jesse
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The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue
Charboneau, assigned to combat systems department. Charboneau’s wife Jenelle and their 2-year-old daughter attended the Thanksgiving meal and was thankful to be with her husband, but also thankful for skipping the usual holiday meal preparation. “I was glad that I didn’t have to cook,” said Jenelle. Electrician’s Mate Fireman Malolos Emerson and his family also attended the Thanksgiving meal. I would have rather had him home, but this was nice,” said Mariecar Emerson.
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Dec. 6, 2013
LINCOLN SAILOR PROVIDES MORALE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN
Story from: USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
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n officer assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is helping families of seriously ill children this holiday season. Lt. Mark Schneider and his family celebrated their daughter’s first birthday last month after her recovery from a life-threatening condition by giving back to the hospital that saved her life. Now he is thanking those people by being part of a council that helps families that face what he faced a year ago. In November 2012, Schneider’s daughter Kiran underwent surgery to correct a congenital birth defect called omphalocele, which occurs when the intestines form outside the body and fail to return inside the body after birth, which required immediate care. “She spent more than a month at the Children’s Hospital of the Kings’ Daughters (CHKD) beginning on Nov. 14 of last year immediately after her birth,” said Schneider. “With more than a month of around-the-clock care, requiring at times two nurses solely dedicated to her wellbeing while my daughter’s health was in jeopardy for about 72 hours,” said Schneider. “She had two surgeries, three blood transfusions and at one point 21 separate lines attached to her little body.” Schneider added that his daughter spent several days as the “sickest kid in the hospital” and on an oscillator when her lungs collapsed due to her post surgical swelling. “I will say that for about three days during her recovery, it was touch and go, and as I drove into the hospital each morning to visit, my mind was on final planning. I expected the worst,” said Schneider,
who wanted to do something positive for families experiencing similar situations. As a tribute to his daughter and the many children who need care, Schneider has been appointed to the hospital’s neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) Family Advisory Council, which works together to guide the NICU’s priorities and planning and requires attending monthly meetings with CHKD staff and patient family members. Through the Family Advisory C o u n c i l , Schneider and his wife, Ashley, are assisting the hospital find and share similar stories about the power of strengthening families to assist the care of an ill child. “I wanted to help those family members that are hurting the way my family hurt one year ago,” said Schneider, who will continue to assist with the hospital long after he transfers to his new command in January and continues his career in the U.S. Navy. Kiran celebrated her first birthday last month with a special kind of party: a happy reunion with her nurses, complete with cupcakes and her favorite foods (grapes and cheese) at CHKD with the nurses who cared for her during the long days and nights. “Kiran is an amazing little girl, who started this world with a battle cry, because one year ago she began the fight of her life,” said Schneider.
The Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 23
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“DC2 Reiher, HT2 Berg and DC3 Marshall were instrumental as part of the Firemain Team. They obtained extraordinary results in leading the completion of re-energizing port side firemain eight weeks ahead of schedule. They deserve a shout out because of their high level of performance, achievement, and awareness. Job well done!” CWO4 Gregory Collins Assistant DCA
Dec. 6, 2013