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Lincoln CPO 365 Group Cleans Newport News Park
Story Number: NNS130318-06
3/18/2013

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Strickland, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Chief Petty Officers and First Class Petty Officers from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) cleaned up underbrush and tree limbs in a Newport News, Va., park March 15, as part of a community relations project.

Sailors in the ship's CPO 365 program, 57 in all, met at Deer Park, a 50-acre park in the geographic center of the city for the cleanup project.

Deer Park has areas for picnicking and hiking as well as the only Boundless Playground in Virginia - a playground designed so children with and without disabilities can play together. In addition, the park has azaleas near the center of the park that were once considered a must-see in the spring, according to a city park ranger.

"This park used to be a haven for white-tailed deer, hence the name," said Chief Park Ranger Rob Farrell, who helped organize the event for Lincoln CPO 365. "The azaleas used to be a reason to come to this park when they were in bloom."

So, the patch in the middle of the park with the choked-out azaleas was earmarked to be cleared out. Lincoln Sailors ripped out vines, thorns and tree limbs surrounding the azaleas. Many low-hanging tree limbs were sawed down and carried out of the woods. At the end of the day, two parking lots were filled with brush waiting to be trucked away. The morning's work was meant to be both team-building and an opportunity to help out the community.

"I want to help out any way I can with events like this," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (equipment) 1st Class Jamie McLean. "I have family in Newport News, and it's just a good idea to help keep it neat and clean."

Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (equipment) Brannon Dirkson said he too lives in the area and is happy he can help make the park a nicer place to visit. It didn't hurt that Chiefs and First Class Petty Officers were working together toward that goal.

"We're building a bond with the firsts and chiefs," said Dirkson. "I'm glad that we can make it a little better."

Having a day set aside for community service was a motivation for another volunteer.

"We serve the country, and I think it's our duty to serve the community, too," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Xavier Garcia. "It sets a good example for the civilians around us."

"It's nice to have them here, helping out," Farrell said. "I think it's just great that people who serve our country every day are taking time out to serve us here today."

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