Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) joined members of Habitat for Humanity June 17 to celebrate the completion of their volunteer effort, four months constructing two Hampton homes.

Cmdr. Maurice Buford, Lincoln's chaplain, commemorated the event by presenting a bible and a plaque to the two families, the Brewingtons and the Smiths, as they cut the ribbons on their brand-new houses.

The Sailors were praised continuously for their assistance in the successful completion of the volunteer effort. Teunsha Vick, the Family Services director for Habitat for Humanity, particularly doted on the work ethic of Lincoln Sailors.

"These [Lincoln] Sailors have been with this project since the beginning, and each time, there has been an amazing turnout of volunteers," Vick said. "Working with the Lincoln certainly made this project go by much faster."

Inspired by the efforts of Lincoln Sailors, Nicole Brewington, the owner of one of the houses built by volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, said she plans on volunteering some of her time in helping other families in need.

"The houses got up fast, and I'm extremely grateful," said Brewington. "After seeing how well they [Lincoln Sailors] worked together, it's only right that I return the favor. The feeling I had when I saw the house was priceless, and I'd like to give that feeling to somebody else."

Ultimately, the whole goal of volunteering is to help, but additionally to inspire others, and Lincoln Sailors are ready and willing to continue volunteering wherever necessary.

"Our whole goal on the Lincoln is to create a well-rounded community relations event (COMREL) 'package'," said Buford. "When you see a Lincoln Sailor, you should know you're in good hands. From 5th Street to 5th Fleet, we're here to serve."

According to its website, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that believes every person should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. It builds, renovates and repairs houses all over the world using volunteer labor and donations and has helped more than 1 million families -- representing 5 million people -- improve their living conditions since it was founded in 1976.

Lincoln is currently undergoing a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Virginia.

Lincoln is the fifth Nimitz-class ship to undergo 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/.