President's Day is a day that we pay tribute to the former leaders of the United States. For those presidents whose leadership greatly impacted our country, eight aircraft carriers bear their namesake. Harry S. Truman is one of those select few.

"Harry S. Truman was just a regular kid born on a farm," said Personnel Specialist Seaman Tyler Monfette. "My home, the place where I live, eat and sleep is named after this man. It makes you want to learn who that person is. His story shows everyone that humble beginnings can have an enormous positive influence on your life."

Born on May 8, 1884, our 33rd president spent the majority of his childhood indoors due to poor eyesight. As an officer, he led 188 men assigned to the army's 129th Field Artillery Regiment through multiple violent and deadly battles without losing a single soldier.

Nearly 110 years after his birth, the keel for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was laid on Nov. 29, 1993. Approximately five years later that keel became an aircraft carrier and a mighty warship to maintain the freedom of the seas.

As if his spirit was a part of the crew, many of Truman's mottos resonate with almost every Sailor aboard.

"On this ship you're constantly hearing someone say 'Give 'Em Hell' and 'The Buck Stops Here'," says Chief Ship's Serviceman Dexter Lace. "Those are our ship mottos. It's a constant reminder that we always need to do what's right. Plain and simple; just how Truman would've liked."

Truman's courage, empathy, honor and ownership are just a few of the many traits Sailors aboard CVN-75 carry with them.

"We're leaders on this ship," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jason Morton. "Taking on responsibility and not being a bystander isn't even a choice, it's a welcomed obligation. Any situation could arise, whether it's your responsibility or anyone else's, we don't let anyone bear heavy burdens on their own. That's just how it is on the Truman."

Truman is currently underway conducting its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), the final stage of pre-deployment workups for the strike group. For USS Harry S. Truman, the evolution caps off more than seven months of training to ensure the ship and crew are ready to deploy.

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For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.