Capt. Ron Ravelo, commanding officer, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Command Master Chief Lee Salas and five other Sailors visited the "Land of Lincoln" to commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's funeral, May 1-4.

"It is a tremendous pleasure to be here at this moment in history," Ravelo said. "To have this opportunity to visit the place where he started truly adds that special touch and really drives home the significance of the man who we represent."

Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Kyle Rupel, a resident of the Springfield area, participated in the visit and reflected on the hospitality and pride that was shown during the celebration of his hometown's favorite resident.

"It truly has been a privilege to return to Springfield," Rupel said. "I am deeply honored by the hospitality shown to members of my crew during our visit."

Rupel, who joined the Navy in 2011, was joined by another junior Sailor, Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class (Handling) Lucero English, who is Lincoln's Blue Jacket of the Year awardee for 2014.

"This visit allowed me to have a broadened perspective and appreciation of how important American history truly is and how it applies to our lives daily," English said. "I was provided a front-row seat to history to experience a world-wide presence at the 150th commemoration event attended by thousands was an honor to me professionally and personally -- I couldn't be more grateful."

The Sailors participated in a variety of commemorative events from the opening ceremony near the Representatives Hall of the Illinois Capitol Building, which today is the Old State Capitol State Historic Site to tours of various historical sites.

Illinois National Guard Adjutant General Daniel Krumrei served as a guest speaker during the opening ceremony on May 2.

"Lincoln did not aspire to be an icon," Krumrei said. "He was a man of the people. A man for the people. A man elected by the people to do a job and was determine to succeed."

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner also spoke at the opening ceremony and remarked on Lincoln's leadership.

"President Lincoln was a fearless leader whose legacy has only grown over the past 150 years. It was an honor to participate in the ceremony commemorating the death of President Lincoln, and to remember the greatest Illinoisan and one of the greatest men, this nation has ever known," Rauner said.

During their trip, the Sailors also mentored youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois and spent quality time with children at St. John's Children's Hospital.

Additionally, Sailors met with Springfield Mayor J. Michael Houston and Springfield Mayor-Elect Jim Langfelder during their visit. Houston reflected on the crew's tour of the Old State Capitol and discussed the significance of crew members standing in the exact spot where Lincoln's remains laid as thousands of mourners draped in black clothing paid their respects 150 years ago.

"As we stand in this room today, 150 years ago, Mr. Lincoln's body lied in state here in front of this podium. The population of the city of Springfield had less than 15,000, yet more than 75,000 people passed the caisson," Houston said. "If you think of the travel conditions in 1865 you can imagine the honor and the way people felt to come to Springfield, Illinois, to walk by this casket."

Houston further discussed the significance of USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors participating in the various Lincoln events, which serves to strengthen the unbreakable bond between the Land of Lincoln and the carrier that propels Lincoln's name worldwide.

"When the Abraham Lincoln Sailors return to their ship they will bring with them the spirit of Abraham Lincoln which will be more present than ever before," Houston said. "It is nice to have USS Abraham Lincoln to help us remember what Lincoln did for this great country. There is no way we will ever be able to repay you, and you are great representatives of Abraham Lincoln."

Sailors accompanied the funeral procession from the Old State Capitol to the Oak Ridge Cemetery as thousands lined the streets of Springfield to watch as the horse-drawn hearse, adorned in black, slowly made its way to its ultimate destination. Ravelo participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Lincoln's Tomb on May 3, the culminating event in the commemoration of President Lincoln.

During the crew's visit they mentored children at the Girls & Boys Club of Central Illinois and met with children at St. John's Children Hospital. Ravelo reflected on the significance of Lincoln's devotion to education throughout his life and his crew's opportunity to engage with Springfield's youth.

"My message and take-away in life if you set your mind on succeeding as President Lincoln clearly displayed throughout his lifetime you will succeed," Ravelo said. "Failure is never an option in life, the only option is to strive to succeed."
 
Lincoln is currently undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo an 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

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/