Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) volunteers assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) continue to serve hot breakfast meals to those less fortunate at the Peninsula Rescue Mission in Newport News in mid-February.

Abraham Lincoln's JEA will be conducting monthly community relations projects at the Peninsula Rescue Mission.

"Lincoln's JEA is an association of junior Sailors that get together to volunteer in the local community," said Yeoman 3rd Class Vaughn Oneal, JEA vice president. "Our main goals are to increase command morale and make the community we live and work in a better place."

JEA supports the welfare of approximately 1,750 Sailors aboard the carrier, which is currently undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipyard.

"We are the largest group on the ship, and therefore have the greatest potential to make a positive impact in the community," said Oneal.

One way the JEA increases morale is through a monthly volunteer opportunity at the Peninsula Rescue mission. This community service project has become a priority for the Sailors because of the immediate effects they can provide.

"Our main goal is to be available when life goes sideways and men need an emergency place to land," said Alan DeFriese, executive superintendent at the mission. "We offer the basic life necessities in a warm and safe environment to help the men get their feet back under them."

Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Ashley Cosey, JEA president, said," Volunteering is a vital part of our organization. It helps discipline us, but more importantly it reminds us that our world is bigger than just improving our ship, it is also just as important to improve our community."

Lincoln's JEA is building leaders from the deck plates added Personnel Specialist Seaman Tamara Wilson, JEA member.

"Other people should volunteer because if no one gets out there to make a difference nothing is going to change," said Wilson. "One by one we can all make a difference."

Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Lucero English, JEA volunteer said these types of volunteer opportunities provide positive opportunities for junior enlisted Sailors serving on board Lincoln.

"I think that it gives the command positive visibility by having junior Sailors wanting to be involved in the command and the community," said English. "It has the capability to provide junior Sailors with a positive attitude while in the yards."

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

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