BOSTON – Petty Officer 1st Class Nisse Fonseca, a sailor with ties to Springfield, Vermont, is one of nearly 80 sailors celebrating America’s 246 years of independence while serving aboard USS Constitution.
 |
| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Green, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Fonseca joined the Navy 14 and a half years ago.
Today, Fonseca serves as a culinary specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to give back to a country that opened its doors to me and adopted me,” said Fonseca.
USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
The ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
As a member of the Navy, Fonseca is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“Our Navy contributes to national defense by keeping adversaries at bay and preventing them from reaching our country,” said Fonseca.
As Fonseca and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Serving in the Navy means that I am providing for my family, that I have a secure job and that I am doing my part in keeping this country safe,” said Fonseca. "It also means giving back to the country that has provided me so many opportunities since I got here.”
Fonseca is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my wife, Sarah, because she has been on board with me joining since the recruiter came to her,” added Fonseca. “We agreed then we were going to do this and it has been 14 and a half years since then. I couldn’t do any of this without her support. I have done four deployments and she has always held down the fort while I am away every time.”