Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) joined Operation Homefront in their annual "Backpack Brigade," July 23.

Sailors packed school items to be given to family members of active duty E-6 and below, as well as wounded, ill and injured post-9/11 and deployed guardsman and reservists. Operation Homefront's "Backpack Brigade" has been a reoccurring event in the Norfolk area for the past five years, providing thousands of backpacks to Sailors' families in need.

"With our back to school backpack brigade we are going to be providing 3,000 backpacks for active-duty E-6 and below, wounded, ill and injured post-9/11 and deployed guardsman and reservists," said Lauren Cossel, program coordinator via AmeriCorps for Operation Homefront. "We cover Fort Lee. We have two distribution days in Norfolk and also another distribution in Hampton. Out of this area alone we have 3,000 this year and we did 3,000 last year."

Lincoln Sailors sorted through thousands of school supplies including pens, pencils, binders and folders.

"It feels really good to see members of our Lincoln family come out and give their time to the children in our community to make sure they are ready to get back to school and continue their education," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Lauren Williams.

"By far one of the most enjoyable and rewarding COMREL (community relations) functions scheduled so far," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jessica Lightcap. "Knowing that just a few hours of our donated time could make such a difference in our brothers and sisters in uniform and their family's lives during the back to school season is a great feeling. We are glad to help make it happen."

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/.