USS Constitution Wins 2012 Navywide Project Good Neighbor Award

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- The crew of USS Constitution won the 2012 Navy Community Service Program Project Good Neighbor Community Service Award for small shore commands, Dec. 17.

The Project Good Neighbor Award recognizes the best year-round volunteer-supported program or special project that promotes outreach activities throughout the year to establish and restore hope to the community.

"Constitution Sailors do so much for the community, not just in Boston, but also all the places they visit as part of Navy Weeks," said Cmdr. Matthew Bonner, Constitution's 72nd commanding officer. "We are greatly honored to be selected as the Project Good Neighbor Award winner."

The award is divided into three categories: shore, sea and overseas. From that point, nominees are separated by command size: under 200, 200-499 and 500 or more personnel. Commander Navy Region Middle Atlantic announced Constitution as the regional winner of the award, Oct. 3, making the ship a nominee for the Navywide award.

Sixty-five Constitution crew members volunteered 6,526 hours and helped more than 22,000 people in 2012, a 23-percent increase from 2011, to win the award.

"The volunteer events are a lot of fun, and it feels good knowing that you've made someone's life a little better," said Seaman Jared Kercell, Constitution crew member, who qualified for the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM). "It's great to be recognized and given an award for helping people."

The MOVSM is awarded to Sailors who complete a minimum of 200 hours of community service. Constitution awarded 12 Sailors the MOVSM in 2012. The ship is also the recipient of the 2012 President's Volunteer Service Award.

"It's an honor to give back to the communities that support us all year," said Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class (SS) Thomas Rooney, Constitution's volunteer programs coordinator. "We do our best to provide our fellow shipmates with as many diverse opportunities, and we're proud to see that they go above and beyond what's asked of them."

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She 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.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history.

For more news from USS Constitution, visit www.navy.mil/local/constitution/.