Several Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) took time out from their daily routine during the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding to honor the memory of one of the Navy's legends by helping rehabilitate his family's home.

The Sailors and civilian contractors collaborated and spent the day restoring damage and adding improvements to the home of the widow of Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Carl Brashear during a community relations (COMREL) project May 5.

"This is an uplifting experience watching the military give back to my mother," said Patrick Brashear, one of Brashear's sons. "I'm just beside myself seeing everyone out here lending a hand."

The COMREL was part of an ongoing relationship between Abraham Lincoln and the family of Carl Brashear, the Navy's first African-American master deep sea diver and later the Navy's first amputee diver after losing his leg in a shipboard accident in 1966.

"We are trying to make a better place for her to live," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Lauren Williams. "This is one way for us to give back. It feels good to be able to do that."

Volunteer work at the home of the former deep sea diver will continue until completion, allowing Sailors to continue to honor and give back to one of the Navy's great heroes.

The restoration of Mrs. Brashear's home is much like Abraham Lincoln's own restoration. Damaged or old structures must be removed and replaced with new materials to extend the life of the home.

Additionally, new features will be added to allow easier mobility for Mrs. Brashear, who is confined to a wheelchair.

"This is all volunteer work," said Allen Loree, lead contractor from Allen Loree Homes. "We had Sailors from the Eisenhower help before and now Sailors from the Lincoln are doing a great job helping out."

Lincoln Sailors assisted with replacing the siding on the home, allowing it to withstand the elements of nature for years to come and giving it an all-around new look.

Abraham Lincoln is currently undergoing a RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Abraham 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/.