GULFPORT, Miss. - Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Constructionman Evan Lucero, an Elmira, New York, native is one of those sailors.
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Lucero is a builder currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Lucero, who graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in 2022, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country, including in times of war,” said Lucero. “I also wanted to continue my family’s legacy. My grandfather, Pete Gardner, served in the Navy aboard a destroyer during the Vietnam War, and my great-grandfather, Mr. Osco, also served in the Navy as a radioman during World War II.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Elmira.
“The lesson I’ve learned from my hometown that has stayed with me during my time in the Navy is to stay motivated when times become challenging,” said Lucero. “I also learned to look out for other people. If someone is having a hard time with something and someone isn’t helping, lend a hand just as if it were you having a hard time as well.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Lucero serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Lucero has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of getting nominated for Safe Seabee of the Month Hardcharger for the headquarters and receiving a letter of appreciation for volunteering in several community service events on my deployment,” said Lucero.
Lucero can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being able to serve my great nation and helping and doing more for myself and others,” said Lucero. “It’s also about making the ultimate sacrifice to protect people and have the opportunity to learn necessary skills. Never give up on what you want to do. Always stay committed to doing what you want to do in life.”
Lucero is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank all my family, coaches, friends and teachers from my high school for showing me how important it is to always work hard for the dreams that I have,” said Lucero. “I want to set the example for people to look up to and be inspired to always do better.”
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeffrey Yale |
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Lucero is a builder currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Lucero, who graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in 2022, joined the Navy two years ago.
“I joined the Navy to serve my country, including in times of war,” said Lucero. “I also wanted to continue my family’s legacy. My grandfather, Pete Gardner, served in the Navy aboard a destroyer during the Vietnam War, and my great-grandfather, Mr. Osco, also served in the Navy as a radioman during World War II.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Elmira.
“The lesson I’ve learned from my hometown that has stayed with me during my time in the Navy is to stay motivated when times become challenging,” said Lucero. “I also learned to look out for other people. If someone is having a hard time with something and someone isn’t helping, lend a hand just as if it were you having a hard time as well.”
With 90% 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 recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Lucero serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”
Lucero has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“I am most proud of getting nominated for Safe Seabee of the Month Hardcharger for the headquarters and receiving a letter of appreciation for volunteering in several community service events on my deployment,” said Lucero.
Lucero can take pride in serving America through military service.
“To me, serving in the Navy means being able to serve my great nation and helping and doing more for myself and others,” said Lucero. “It’s also about making the ultimate sacrifice to protect people and have the opportunity to learn necessary skills. Never give up on what you want to do. Always stay committed to doing what you want to do in life.”
Lucero is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank all my family, coaches, friends and teachers from my high school for showing me how important it is to always work hard for the dreams that I have,” said Lucero. “I want to set the example for people to look up to and be inspired to always do better.”