Sailors assigned to aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) spent time giving back to the local community during a recent namesake visit, Nov. 11.

GHWB's 2016 Sailors of the Year began the visit with volunteer work at a Habitat for Humanity build site by smoothing out the foundation of a house in preparation for laying tile, and by loading and unloading the walls of other homes at various build sites.

"The little things are important in house building; if we didn't smooth the floor or help move the walls for the homes, then it slows down or ruins the work needed to be done," said GHWB Sailor of the Year Petty Officer 1st Class Joanna Waugh. "Just like in the Navy, we have to remember that all of the little things add up into something much larger and better."

Sailors spent the morning volunteering with Texas A&M University students, and spoke to them about life in the Navy and why they were in Texas doing community service.

"I never knew the Navy did things like this," said Stephanie Heydt, a senior at Texas A&M. "It's cool to think that they do work for the community both in and out of their work."

It was an "all hands on deck" project as GHWB Command Master Chief Huben Phillips also helped to lift and transport wall pieces and swab the deck to prepare the home for the owner to move in.

"It's 'freedom at work,'" said Phillips. "That's why we get involved and pay it forward to make the world better."

George H.W. Bush, homeported in Norfolk, is currently preparing for a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which will test all mission warfare areas in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.facebook.com/USSGeorgeHWBush.