Two Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and one Sailor who recently transferred were presented leadership awards from The Stennis Center for Public Service at an award ceremony June 5.

The Stennis Center for Public Service is a federal, legislative branch agency created by congress in 1988 to promote and strengthen public service leadership in America.

The Lincoln Sailors who were awarded for their leadership included the following: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gregory Collins, who received the Statesman Award; Master Chief Machinist's Mate Richard Quinn, who received the Union Award, and Personnel Specialist 1st Class Mishell Brownlee, who received the Liberty Award.

"The Lincoln on Leadership awards, presented by The Stennis Center for Public Service, serves to recognize the top performing Sailors on the deckplates whose management and leadership capabilities are seen and appreciated by their peers and seniors," said Capt. Ron Ravelo, commanding officer, USS Abraham Lincoln. "It is absolutely wonderful to take the time to recognize our top-performing Sailors who are truly leading making a difference at the deck plates with proven and appreciated results."

The recipients were presented their awards by Rex Buffington II, executive director of The Stennis Center for Public Service.

"It's a great honor for us to be able to honor them because they are so worthy and so deserving," said Buffington. "It is important to recognize them for their achievements and for them to be held up as examples for others to follow."

These Sailors have been chosen by their peers throughout the ship for their exceptional leadership and provides an opportunity to be seen by those throughout the ship as well as leaders outside of the ship.

"In many ways we see these award winners as representatives as the whole ship," said Buffington.

Brownlee, one of the recipients, reflected on the honor and esteem of the award, which is peer nominated.

"I am honored to have been selected for this award," said Brownlee. "It is a blessing to receive this award and I hope that through this I am able to set a good example for my junior Sailors on what good leadership should be."

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/.