Bonhomme Richard Sailors Shine Boots in Honor of Shipmate's Father

USS Bonhomme Richard, At Sea (NNS) -- Two Sailor-led organizations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) raised a $2,000-donation to the American Heart Association to honor a shipmate's father who died of heart disease.

Forty members of the First Class Mess and Second Class Association (SCA) raised the money Jan. 19-21, collecting donations from Sailors while offering to shine their boots in the ship's hangar bay. The donated money was sent to the medical association upon the request of Yeoman Seaman William D'Arcangelo, a Bonhomme Richard Sailor whose father suffered from a fatal heart attack in 2008.

"We did this because a member of our Bonhomme Richard team lost his father to heart disease," said Aircrew Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Edward Veyran, Bonhomme Richard's SCA president.

D'Arcangelo emailed his shipmates to enlist their help. His objective was to remember his father by motivating others to make a difference.

"I wrote the email because my father, who is a retired Navy veteran, passed away from a sudden heart attack on March 6, 2008," said D'Arcangelo. "My dad would have been 53 years old on Jan. 15. I'm honored that they were able to work together and donate money in memory of my dad."

In addition to getting their boots shined over the course of three days, Sailors aboard Bonhomme Richard also received good tips on CPR from trained members of the ship's medical team. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is the commonly used emergency procedure for a person whose heart has stopped or is no longer breathing.

"We wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to inform Sailors while they were waiting to get their shoes shined," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Ana Araujo. "So, we provided a basic flow chart about what to do if someone needed to be resuscitated."

"As a basic life support instructor, I can honestly say that the more people we can get qualified and prepared with the necessary tools, the better off we'll all be," said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW) David Steo. "I am truly proud of the First Class Mess and the Second Class Association. I am positive that the money raised will help save lives."

D'Arcangelo also used social media to generate awareness and support for the cause. He pledged to personally donate $1 to the American Heart Association for every comment posted by fans on his personal page.

"This great idea generated by Seaman D'Arcangelo is an example of the camaraderie within the Bonhomme Richard family," said Capt. John Funk, the ship's commanding officer. "I am very proud of the First Class Mess and the Second Class Association on how they heeded the call by taking care of one of their own shipmates."

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

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