One-hundred and sixty five USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors were advanced to their next pay grades during the command's safety stand down at the Hampton Convention Center, June 3.

"The frocking ceremony is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication that the Sailors have undergone to advance, not only up in pay grade, but also in responsibility," Lincoln's Command Master Chief Lee Salas said. "Advancement is also more than just advancing a pay grade, but it is also the attainment of our Sailors' career goals."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Fiacre Ncho, one of the 165 to advance, was very excited to be frocked.

"It was a huge relief, I was so excited. I was waiting for this moment, to be able to put on the rank of second class," Ncho said. "I couldn't sleep, I was thinking about it every day. When you make rank in the United States Navy you know you've done something great."

Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Anthony Richardson, who coordinated the safety stand down, discussed the importance of gathering the entire command to reflect on safety-related issues.

"It is important to get the crew together to reinforce our safety efforts every six months or so," Richardson said.

Guest speaker and NFL Quarterback Eric Hipple spoke with Lincoln Sailors about suicide awareness. Hipple, who played for the Detroit Lions in the 1980s, is seen as a national advocate to prevent suicide. Hipple shared his personal story and journey battling depression.

"If you need help, get treatment, don't wait," said Hipple, who has spoken with countless family members and friends of a loved one who took their own life and the shock and disbelief that is left behind. "People battling depression and thoughts of suicide tend to wear a mask which is hard to detect."

Dr. Carla Knorowski, CEO, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Foundation and the first commanding officer of USS Abraham Lincoln retired Rear Adm. Bill Hayden also spoke with Sailors. Knorowski and Hayden were on hand to provide each Sailor a copy of the book "Gettysburg Replies - The World Responds to Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address", courtesy of The Grainger Foundation, Inc.

"Gettysburg Replies" is a collection of 101 letters written by all of the living presidents, scholars, members of Congress, teachers, students, and USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors to reflect on the writing and delivery of the Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln on Nov. 19, 1863.

"The 101 essays starting with Gettysburg Address are thought-provoking, insightful and inspiring," Knorowski said.

While addressing Lincoln Sailors Hayden asked the crowd of Sailors if they were born in 1988 when the crew was being formed during the construction of USS Abraham Lincoln.

"One score and seven years ago, I assumed command of the Pre-Commissioning Unit Abraham Lincoln and we totaled about as many Sailors as were frocked today," Hayden said. "I remember when we first went to sea and had the chance to operate all the systems we had been building for years. You will get that chance as well."

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Danian Douglas who wrote an essay that was included in "Gettysburg Replies" reflected in the journey from writing the essay to being published.

"I was deeply honored to have my essay selected for publication," said Douglas, as an immigrant to this country the Gettysburg Address symbolizes an important message to me which was written and delivered by a pivotal figure in our nation's history, he added.

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

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/.