NAVY SEABEES BUILD QUITE A FOLLOWING AT SUMMERFEST.Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer Military pride mixed with a carnival atmosphere Saturday as the 1997 Seabee Summerfest drew thousands of visitors to the Naval Construction Battalion Center. Following comments by Master Chief Petty Officer master chief petty officer n. 1. Abbr. MCPO The highest noncommissioned rank in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard. 2. One who holds this rank. of the Navy John Hagan, the service's top enlisted member, 350 Seabees in full military dress paraded before a backdrop of corn dogs, Ferris wheels and a skateboard obstacle course. Despite the eclectic nature of the event, Hagan was serious about the praise he bestowed on the Seabees, who more than 50 years ago gained renown as the builder sailors of the U.S. military. ``Since early in my career, the Seabees have earned my respect and never let me down,'' he said after the opening ceremonies. ``They remind me how important pride and heritage are to our mission.'' The opening ceremony also included a formal presentation of the Purple Heart to Newbury Park resident Sheldon Empol, who was a prisoner of war PRISONER OF WAR. One who has been captured while fighting under the banner of some state. He is a prisoner, although never confined in a prison. 2. In modern times, prisoners are treated with more humanity than formerly; the individual captor has now no in Japan during World War II. Until the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act The National Defense Authorization Act is the name of a United States federal law that is enacted each fiscal year to specify the budget and expenditures of the United States Department of Defense. , only soldiers wounded in action A casualty category applicable to a hostile casualty, other than the victim of a terrorist activity, who has incurred an injury due to an external agent or cause. The term encompasses all kinds of wounds and other injuries incurred in action, whether there is a piercing of the body, as in or while attempting to escape were given the award. ``It's emotional,'' Empol said of receiving the award. The weekend festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , which included crafts, carnival rides, food, roller hockey, music and the National Amateur Snakeboard A snakeboard is a board that was invented in 1989 by James Fisher and Oliver Macleod Smith. It evolved from the original skateboard, and brought with it elements of snowboards & surfboards. These variants have a central board with two pivoting footplates attached at each end. Competition, also commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Seabee Museum, located at the battalion center. Strolling among the craft exhibits and food stands were Daniel Dunson and his wife, Ernestine, of Oxnard. Dunson served with the Seabees for 23 years until his retirement in 1977. The festivities were an opportunity for Dunson to meet old friends and recall his service in World War II, the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. , where he helped build airstrips and encampments and dig wells. ``I loved the travel,'' he said. Bill Foster had a different view of military maneuvers after sitting behind the steering wheel of a weapons carrier called a Hummer, one of many pieces of military equipment on display. ``I've always admired the Hummers. Fits like a glove. I'd like one for Christmas,'' said Foster, who attended the event with his wife, Terri, and other family members. Some of the handiwork the Seabees perform behind the line of fire was also on display: barracks bar·rack 1 tr.v. bar·racked, bar·rack·ing, bar·racks To house (soldiers, for example) in quarters. n. 1. A building or group of buildings used to house military personnel. , bridges and a leach field were mingled with welding and woodworking demonstrations. At another part of the grounds, crafters and artisans showed their wares. Wayne Dee, of Dee's Flowers & Country Things in Santa Paula, said he and his wife, Glena, decided to exhibit their crafts after a friend in the Seabees told them about the festival. ``It's a fun time, good for family and a good showcase for the Seabees,'' he said. There's something here for everyone.'' Indeed. As rock music blared in the background, a sports announcer gave his play-by-play of the ``snakeboard'' competition, which saw male teens leaping over obstacles and gliding down stair rails. Nearby, visitors sampled the plethora of junk food junk food n. Any of various prepackaged snack foods high in calories but low in nutritional value. junk food and treats common to carnivals, and at the southern end of the grounds, carnival rides widened the eyes of children and adults alike. Later in the day, pie-eating and karaoke contests also were scheduled. Linda Wadley, public affairs officer, said about 7,000 people attended the first day of the two-day festival. Peggy Hosaki of Oxnard, who brought her Hawaiian Shave Ice booth to the festival for the first time this year, was impressed. ``Every time you do one of these it's always a trial, but this is a nice turnout,'' she said. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) The combination of war machinery and carnival rides, above, makes an unusual contrast Saturday at the Seabee Summerfest. (2--ran in SIMI SIMI Sea Ice Mechanics Initiative SIMI Search for Intelligent Monkeys on the Internet SIMI Students Islamic Movement in India SIMI Society of Irish Motor Industry SIMI Smallholder Irrigation Markets Initiative edition only) At left, 8-year-old Rita Coff of Oxnard checks out the night-vision scope on a 40 mm machine gun as Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class
Petty Officer 2nd Class or PO2 is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. Brian Davis looks on. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News |
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