More than 50 Sailors from aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) helped 40 residents of the Retsil Veteran’s Home move their belongings to a new facility this past Tuesday.

The move is the first part of an ongoing project relocating all the residents from the aging facility into their new housing located on the same campus near Port Orchard. 

“For the next few weeks, we’ll be helping the veterans move and settle in to their new surroundings,” said Chaplain Cmdr. Timothy Overturf, one of Stennis’ Chaplains. “But more importantly, the Sailors will be spending time and getting to know their forbearers,” he said.

Early morning on the 3rd, the 50 strong crewmembers gathered on the pier in front of the ship, decked out in Stennis ball caps.  The caps ensure the veteran’s can identify the Sailors.

After arriving at the Veteran’s Home near Port Orchard, the Sailors were welcomed with coffee, donuts and juice to “get their energy up” for the project.

“This is the kind of activity I really look forward to in a Community Relations (COMREL) event,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class(SW) Charles Cash of Safety Department. “Helping out the veterans is kind of like helping ourselves. It’s an honor.”

The 50 men and women of Stennis broke into five teams, each team given a map around the facility and an inventory sheet for each veteran. The teams first went to the new facility and prepped the rooms for the arrival of the new tenants, including making the beds and setting up towels and amenities.

Then the volunteers headed over to the aging facility for a meet and greet with the veterans as they packed up their belongings, with assistance from the vets when able.

While packing up the rooms, the Sailors got a chance to talk to their predecessors and make friends.

“These young kids today, they are so great in helping us old folks,” said former Army 1st Sgt. Robert Copeland, a resident of the home.  “They’ve been so great, it’s nice to have someone to spend time with and talk to.”

While moving, the volunteers got a chance to learn things about “their” veterans, some things that were rather surprising.

“I learned Mr. Copeland was not only an Army Ranger, but a POW (prisoner of war) in Vietnam,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class(SW) Danyea Gray of Combat System Department’s CS2 division. Not only that, but he escaped capture. That’s someone you don’t encounter every day.”

Other Sailors made quick friends with the veterans, joking around with them as they packed and moved their belongings. “I told my vet he needed new clothes, man,” joked Cash. “His stuff was so out of date.  I offered to take him out to the mall for more updated fashions.”

The volunteers finished earlier than expected, in large part to a large turnout and great enthusiasm from the Stennis volunteers, said Overturf.

“The hard work, enthusiasm and just heartwarming way these Sailors have taken to these veterans is beyond words,” he said. “I hope we get the same kind of turn out and enthusiasm the next time we do this.”

Stennis will continue to help the veterans to move into their brand new housing units throughout the Month of May.