More than 150 Sailors from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in a Veterans Day community relations (COMREL) event, Nov. 11, at five elementary schools in the Newport News area.

The event, which reached more than 2,000 students, was an opportunity for the Sailors to talk to the students about the importance of Veterans Day, as well as answer questions about Navy life and the military.

"It's the perfect day for us to get out, in uniform, and teach the kids about our life on the ship," said Chief Petty Officer Shawn Wingle, the event coordinator. "It's a way for us to give back to the community and pay it forward to the veterans who have come before us."

As the students normally only read or hear about the Navy, it was beneficial for them to participate in an engagement event with the Sailors, said Ethel Francis, the principal at George J. McIntosh Elementary, one of the five schools Sailors visited.

The visit was a welcome break for the students who took the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of the Sailors by asking questions about flight operations, weapons, living conditions, and entertainment opportunities aboard an aircraft carrier.

"It helped them make a connection to those who are serving," said Francis. "Having Sailors, some who are very young themselves, come and talk to the kids gives them someone to look up to."

At the end of each class visit, there always seemed to be one student who wanted a hug, said Chief Petty Officer Amy Kirk.

"After that one, all the children would start rushing forward to give a goodbye hug and, as always, asking to try on our covers," Kirk said.

"It is amazing the questions they ask, everything from what type of weapons do we have to if we have electricity," added Kirk. "It's refreshing to see the world of the Navy from their perspective."

Sailors walked from the classrooms with huge grins and promises to return soon.

"It was really inspiring," said Seaman Kelsey Hamy. "I thought we were there to inspire them, but it was the opposite."

Lincoln is currently undergoing refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo a RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

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