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Napoli Native Continues Seabee Tradition

PORT HUENEME, Calif. -- "We Build, We Fight" has been the motto of the U. S. Navy's Construction Force, known as the "Seabees", for the past 75 years. Napoli, New York native and Salamanca High School graduate, Retired Master Chief Petty Officer Tom Stanley, built and fought around the world as a Seabee.

Stanley currently serves as a government civilian in the Navy.

"I'm the reserve training coordinator for the Seabees serving from the west coast," said Stanley.

The jobs of some of the Seabees today have remained unchanged since World War II, when the Seabees paved the 10,000-mile road to victory for the allies in the Pacific and in Europe, according to Lara Godbille, director of the U. S. Navy Seabee Museum.

"The Seabees gave me the ability to do something different and serve my country," said Stanley. "No job was ever the same as a Seabee. I got to do a lot of traveling and see a lot of places leaving behind a completed project that people would be able to use for years. After I retired from the Navy as a master chief, I went to work as a government civilian where I'm still able to serve the Seabees in a positive way having an impact on the Navy of the future."

For the past 75 years Seabees have served in all American conflicts. They have also supported humanitarian efforts using their construction skills to help communities around the world following earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

"I am proud of the hard work that Seabees do every day," said Rear Adm. Bret Muilenburg, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command. "Their support to the Navy and Marine Corps mission is immeasurable, and we look forward to the next seven decades of service."

Seabees around the world will take part in a yearlong celebration in 2017 to commemorate the group's 75-year anniversary.  The theme of the celebration is "Built on History, Constructing the Future."

"Seabees deploy around the world providing expert expeditionary construction support on land and under the sea, for the Navy and Marine Corps, in war, humanitarian crisis and peace," said Capt. Mike Saum, commodore, Naval Construction Group (NCG) 1. "Seabee resiliency, skill, and resolution under hostile and rough conditions prove our motto 'We Build, We Fight.' The Seabee patch we wear on our uniform signifies to the warfighter and civilian alike that they're in good hands."

Serving in the U.S. Navy has allowed Stanley to continue learning about himself and the legacy he wants to leave to future Seabees.

"It's important to celebrate our Seabee heritage because it gives us the opportunity to honor our traditions," said Stanley.

"It gives us pride in our organization. This celebration also gives some of the older Seabees the chance to meet with the younger ones who are the future of our navy."