Bonhomme Richard Selects Top Sailors for 2009

USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- Four Sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) were recognized as the ship's Sailors of the Year for 2009 during a Dec. 29 Captain's Call.

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Jonathan Wagner was selected as Bonhomme Richard's Senior Sailor of the Year; Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (AW/SW) Manny Penas as Sailor of the Year; Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class (AW/SW) Jolyn San Nicolas as Junior Sailor of the Year; and Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Renee Duff as Bluejacket of the Year.

"I am deeply honored to be selected Senior Sailor of the Year," said Wagner. "Many people along my career have showed me how to take pride in my work and show a good work ethic every day. The support from the chiefs over my last three years on board Bonhomme Richard and doing the best job I can do has developed me into the Sailor I am today."

In addition to hard work, each of the Sailors of the Year gave credit to a group of people who supported them in their day-to-day tasks and allowed them to grow professionally. However, each Sailor had a unique perspective as to how they got to where they are in their Navy careers.

"It feels good to get rewarded for all the hard work I have put in," said Penas. "My motto is 'Do the right thing,' and I tell my guys in Weapons Department that all the time. They are the ones that support me and it's good to put Weapons Department on the map and keep them in the limelight."

"It's important to be involved, know what you are doing by asking a lot of questions and strive to achieve the most you can while giving to your country and the Navy," said San Nicolas. "It's also important to work hard for yourself and the people you love, because without their support you're not able to achieve your fullness."

"I like to stay busy with many collateral duties while performing my duties to the best of my abilities," said Duff. "I am in my shop everyday before reveille so that I can get to work right away. I receive a lot of support from my leading petty officer and my division officer and the Marines that work with us give me a lot of support too."

Whether as a seasoned Sailor or new to the fleet, the Sailors of the Year shared some advice on how to become an invaluable asset to the ship and crew.

"My advice for junior Sailors is to set the bar above the minimum," said Wagner. "You will see set backs, but you can't fail if you are always trying."

Each Sailor of the Year received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and a plaque to commemorate this career milestone.

Bonhomme Richard, the command platform for the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations conducting Maritime Security Operations.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7, visit www.navy.mil/local/cas7/.