NMCB-21 Dedicates Building to Fallen Marine Advisor

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 21 dedicated a double connecting super Southwest Asian (SWA) hut at Kandahar Airfield's Mustang Ramp during an Aug. 18 ceremony designed to remember the battalion's Marine advisor.

Gunnery Sgt. Richard "Rick" Hughes, who served as the NMCB 21 Marine advisor died Oct. 15, 2009 in Bangor, Maine, just two months before the battalion's mobilization.

Seabees, Marines, and guests from various other commands gathered at the dedication ceremony to honor Hughes, who was 43-years-old when he died.

The SWA hut, which will be used as work spaces and for professional development and training by the 101st Airborne, was dedicated to pay tribute to a wonderful man and a fellow firefighter, said battalion Command Master Chief Michael Cassidy. Hughes had volunteered since 1997 for the Corinth Fire Department and also served as an emergency medical technician.

Seabees placed a commemorative plaque including a hand-carved Eagle, Globe and Anchor (the U.S. Marine Corps emblem), which declares the structure Hughes Hall.
Builder 1st Class (SCW) Adrian Buhaj completed the plaque.

The building selected for the dedication ceremony is one of several SWA huts NMCB 21 Seabees have been tasked to build. This building, however, stands unique in design with a second story connecting bridge walkway to other SWA huts.

"The dedication of the buildings is a fitting way to celebrate the gunny's many years of service and the lasting mark he has left on the Seabee community," said Cmdr. Timothy Boyce, the battalion's executive officer.

"Although nothing we can do can ever make up for the loss, this small token of honor and appreciation will hopefully let the Hughes family know that [gunny] will always be remembered by the Seabees of NMCB 21," said Capt. George Steffen, NMCB 21's commanding officer.

For more information about the U.S. Naval Construction Force, visit www.seabee.navy.mil.