Sailor Wins Big at Ship’s Party

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The crew of USS San Antonio (LPD 17) celebrated their first Christmas as a commissioned ship Dec. 7 at a party in Virginia Beach, Va.

For one crewmember of San Antonio, the celebration was just a little bit sweeter.

“We had a Christmas party at our command,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jamie LaBauve. “They gave away a car as one of the door prizes and somehow I got picked."

“I didn’t actually hear them call my name,” continued LaBauve. “Everybody else was yelling at me to get inside because I won the car. I didn’t really know what was going on, I was just kind of shocked.”

The car, a 2006 Hyundai Elantra, was purchased with funds provided from the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).

“The reason we did it was this was the first time ever this ship as one whole command has been together and had a Christmas party since we’ve commissioned,” said Chief Electronics Technician Patrick Jones, recreational service officer aboard San Antonio.

“The message that we wanted to send out was a simple one,” said San Antonio Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Brad Lee. “The party was for the crew and the gifts should be for the crew, as decided by the crew. The MWR money is for the crew and should be used for items that the crew wants to spend it on. Also, we wanted to show that while we are a new ship, we are a command that is not afraid to think outside of the box.”

Jones echoed Lee’s comments.

“We had an opportunity to raise a lot of money since commissioning and this was something we wanted to do for the crew for payback for all the hard work they’ve done to get the ship where it is,” Jones said.

LaBauve, having just bought a new car with her reenlistment bonus, has mighty big plans for her newly acquired door prize.

“My plans for the car are to donate it to my uncle, he doesn’t have a vehicle and he’s trying to get out of New Orleans. He doesn’t want to be in the city anymore after Katrina,” said LaBauve.

“We were in Pascagoula, Miss. when Hurricane Katrina hit,” Jones explained. “She is a resident of the New Orleans area. I know a lot of her family pretty much lost everything because of Hurricane Katrina. We were hoping this gift would go to someone deserving who would use it and really need it. I think it’s a great idea.”

For related news, visit the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lpd17/.