USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
September 1, 2012 Issue
Drawing Smiles: Renowned Cartoonists Visit Big E Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brooks Bartow Patton, Jr.
ET2 Justin Bell poses for a photo with a portrait drawn by cartoonist Tom Richmond. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea -- For some people, creating an image from graphite and ink comes naturally; characters and landscapes can appear on paper with little effort, the strokes perfectly placed, the shading realistic. There are a few people out there, however, that can turn those dark curves, gradients and lines into a person’s very persona.These people have the ability to pin down an individual’s personality and relate to their situation, but more than that, they are able to use images to make people smile, think and laugh. Sailors and Marines aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) were presented with an opportunity to meet just such a group of people when distinguished visitors from the National Cartoonists Society visited the carrier as part of a USO-sponsored tour August 29-September 1. “We are here to draw for them (the Sailors and Marines), hopefully bring some smiles to their faces and bring a little bit of home,” said Tom Richmond, an artist who has done illustrations for NOW, Marvel Comics and MAD Magazine, and one of six cartoonists taking part in the visit. While aboard, the cartoonists toured the aircraft carrier, observed flight operations, met with budding cartoonists from the Enterprise and drew caricatures and personalized cartoons for hundreds of Sailors and Marines. The visitors all came to know each other through the National Cartoonists Society and, for the last several years, have worked with the USO to come out to ships and bases and show their support for forward-deployed troops. “We are all members of the National Cartoonists Society,” said Jeff Bacon the creator and illustrator of Broadside. “(This) actually started out with “chalk talks” that cartoonists did for soldiers in WWII so we have a long history of supporting the troops and their efforts.” The cartoonists came to the ship to make a few people smile, but as their visit progressed, it became clear that they got just as much
enjoyment out of the Sailors and Marines as the Sailors and Marines did from them. “The thing that really struck me was the friendly competitiveness around the ship,” said Rick Kirkman, creator and illustrator of Baby Blues. “I’ve never seen anything like it; that competitiveness that makes everyone want to be better.” The cartoonists saw plenty of that competitiveness, pride and spirit while interacting with Sailors and Marines throughout their visit. These interactions were not just on a professional level, however. When meeting with the cartoonists, Sailors and Marines brought photos of their children, drawings they had done and even drawings they offered to the cartoonists as gifts. “It’s great just to hear the stories from all these people. It is just fantastic,” said Dave Coverly, the creator and illustrator of Speed Bump. “We get to let them know that we appreciate what they’re doing out here.” The individuals from the National Cartoonists Society are all accomplished illustrators and story tellers, but as successful professionals as well, these nationally-renowned cartoonists were able to recognize and appreciate the professionalism and teamwork the Enterprise crew has to offer. “There’s an incredible sense of history on this ship, but generally, with the people I talk to, it isn’t so much the boat they’re on. They take more pride (in) the people around them,” said Sam Viviano, art director for MAD Magazine. “That’s what makes the Enterprise... it’s the crew, not the walls or the nuts and bolts, but the fact that they depend on the people around them to do the things they do and they are proud of all of those people as much as they are of themselves.” It becomes clear when talking with these successful cartoonists that they have a very large part of their hearts set aside for soldiers, Sailors and Marines. Those service members who met them could sense that appreciation. “I had a lot of fun getting to know the cartoonists and letting them know what ship life is like,” said Hull Technician Fireman Matt A. Smith. “I think it was awesome. They were very friendly and were interested in both my home and Navy life.” The cartoonists brought the Enterprise much-needed smiles and laughs during deployment and are scheduled to depart the ship after getting a brief glimpse into what life is really like on an aircraft carrier. “The most interesting thing to me about the Enterprise, and any of our visits, is meeting the people,” said Jeff Keane, creator and illustrator of The Family Circus. “Hearing the stories about people you don’t know, (you realize that) they are affected by what we do, but we are affected way more by what they do.” The visit to Enterprise marks the last stop on the cartoonist’s most recent tour, which also included a stop in Bahrain. They are scheduled to return to the United States shortly after departing Enterprise.
The Shuttle
Page 2
Friday, September 1, 2012
Cartoonist
Cartoonist Jeff Keane, author of “The Family Circus� and member of the National Cartoonists Society, draws personal cartoons for Sailors during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
Carto spon
Cartoonist Dave Coverly draws a caricature of Information Systems Technician 1st Class Stephen Wolfe during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman) Cartoonists with the National Cartoonists Society draw personal cartoons for Sailors and Marines during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Jared King)
Cartoonists with the National Cartoonists Society pose for a photo on the fligh deck during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Jared King)
The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. navy.mil. Commanding Officer Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.
Executive Officer Capt. G. C. Huffman
Command Master Chief Public Affairs Officer CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler Editor MC3 Brian G. Reynolds
Cartoonists with the National Cartoonists Society draw personal cartoons for Sailors and Marines during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
Friday, September 1, 2012
The Shuttle
Page 3
ts Visit Big E
oonist Tom Richmond gives a finished caricature to a Marine during a USOnsored tour on the aft mess decks. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
ht
MC3 Gregory White poses for a photo with cartoonist Rick Kirkman. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
Boatswains Mate 1st Class Timothy Lumpkin explains the use of a boatswain’s pipe to cartoonists during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Randy J. Savarese)
Cartoonist Jeff Bacon draws a caricature of a Sailor during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
Cartoonist Tom Richmond draws a picture of Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rainessia Clarke, from Brooklyn, N.Y., during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Randy J. Savarese)
Cartoonist Sam Viviano draws a caricature of Lt. Daniel Foose, assigned to the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 11, during a USO-sponsored tour. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
The Shuttle
Page 4
Friday, September 1, 2012
Sailors of the Day Damage Controlman 3rd Class Matthew Zachariah Kelly
DC3 Matthew Zachariah Kelly from Santa Rosa, Calif., joined the Navy three and a half years ago to see the world and further his education. In his spare time, he enjoys working out, reading and playing video games. In the future, he plans to further his education and to learn a second language.
Airman Jonathon Uncapher
AN Jonathon Uncapher, from Youngwood, Pa., joined the Navy two years ago to experience new things. In his spare time, he enjoys working out and listening to music. In the future, he plans to further his education and to see the world.
Big E Entertainment