USS Constitution Receives Project Good Neighbor Flagship Award

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Commander Navy Region Middle Atlantic (CNRMA) announced USS Constitution as the 2012 Project Good Neighbor Flagship award winner for small-shore commands by official Navy message traffic, Oct. 3.

CNRMA gives the award to commands that have the best year-round community service program or special project that encourages activities to provide humanitarian assistance to the less fortunate.

"Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work our Sailors provide on a daily basis," said Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shirley, Constitution's executive officer. "Reaching out to our friends and neighbors is one of the things that Constitution does best."

Constitution Sailors accumulated more than 5,500 volunteer hours at approximately 75 command events, leading to 12 Sailors earning the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in fiscal year 2012.

"Constitution Sailors are encouraged to volunteer as much as they can in the Boston area," said Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class (SS) Thomas Rooney, Constitution's volunteer programs coordinator. "It gives the crew a sense of community and pride in helping out those who might need a friendly hand every once in a while."

Constitution's community relations program focuses on partnerships with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Caps for Kids, Habitat for Humanity, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Brown Bag, Stone Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo.

"I love helping out my community," said Seaman Jared Kercell, who volunteered the most hours for Constitution in fiscal year 2012. "If spending a few hours after duty or on the weekend in my off-time can help someone, I'm honored to be a part of it."

Constitution is also the recipient of the 2012 President's Volunteer Service Award. She is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year.

Constitution defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years. Her mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history.

For more information, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.