GRATEFUL SEaBEES
a Note of Appreciation: On June 9, 1962 one of the men of
MCB-9 received a Red Cross- message of an emergency nature which
requested his presence at home. He had only thirty minutes to
check out of the Battalion and to board the last commercial air-*
plane that would'be leaving Adak for four days. Due to the ex
cellent work of the Station Duty Personnel, the Station Trans
portation ,• Reeve Airlines, and Chaplain Perry,, our nan was able
to receive his pay, obtain aid from the Navy Relief Society, .
purchase his airplane ticket, change into his dress blues, ob
tain his leave papers, and board the airplane within a half
hour. Again I wish to express my appreciation to all those who
made his departure on emergency leave possible.
A Note of Gratitude: On June 12, 1962 one of our Seabee
steel workers was seriously injured on the job and .was flown to
the Elmendcrf air Force Base Hospital for further care on the
following day. Immediately after his accident he was taken by
ambulance to the Station Hospital where emergency treatment was
administered and where the most modern techniques were employed
by highly competent medical personnel. On behalf of the injur
ed man, 7 wish to express my gratitude to all those who made
him as comfortable as possible and who extended a helping hand
wherever possible. His parting words just prior to boarding
the airplane were: *»I want to thank everyone. I never knew
that anyone could have so many friends.”
A Note of Sec.bee Wisdom: While I was visiting in the Birch
wood Hanger a few days ago, I noticed a sign that was painted
on a door of one of the work shops located on the first deck,
I was fascinated and captivated by what appeared to be an ex
panded version of a Seabee motto. The saying went something
like this: "Can do, will do, have done socnj We've done so
much with so little, for sc long, that now wo can do almost any
thing with nothing." This humorous note contains more truth
than poetry. Everyday of my ministry in the Battalion, I am' in
spired by the “can do" spirit and ability of the Seabees, and I
am convinced that they need not depend upon their short but in
spiring history and tradition for their " can do " reputation
which they so rightfully enjoy. They work long and hard hours,.
and they are ever ready and grateful for the opportunity to
apply their knowledge and skill wherever and whenever possible.
However difficult and challenging the task, their response is
one of "can do, will do."
William E. Parsuns, Jr.
: ' Chaplain