Submariners, USS Albany Family Association Builds Home in Hampton Roads

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Since 01-29-05

Excerpted from NSL UPDATE 01-27-2005

Submariners, USS Albany Family Association Builds Home in Hampton Roads

By Journalist Seaman Andrew Zask, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors of USS Albany (SSN 753) and members of the USS Albany Family Association, Inc., joined forces with the South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a deserving family. A local Hampton Roads family had their dream come true as they cut the ribbon on their new home Jan. 19. The dedication was the culmination of a year's worth of hard work.

The family association conceived the project in November 2003 as a way to keep busy while their family members aboard the fast-attack submarine Albany deployed for six months. Over the next year, an empty plot of land was redeveloped to a brand-new family home. The new residents of the house, Wanda Waldron and her three children, Xavier, Brittany and Jessica, are no strangers to the strength of the Navy and military families. Waldron works as a child care provider at Navy Child Development Services. "It meant everything to me to know that the Navy and the Albany built the house," said Waldron. "It really made me take pride in my country and what I do."

The USS Albany Family Association raised more than $55,000 for this project. The foundation was poured July 7, and finishing touches, including landscaping and interior painting, were completed in December. "I'm not a big fan of cold weather," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Lisa Festa of Naval Engineering Support Unit Portsmouth, "but I think it's only fitting that it is cold today, because it makes the warmth of a first home all the more appreciated." "I think the weather also stands in contrast to the warm camaraderie of diverse organizations of people that came together to make this happen," Festa added.

More than 20 Coast Guard members and hundreds of Sailors and family members from more than 15 commands volunteered to work on the house, including submariners from USS Florida (SSGN 728), USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709), USS Hampton (SSN 767) and USS Boise (SSN 764). "Their volunteerism is a fine example for everyone, whether they're in the Navy or not," said Albany's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Brett Genoble. "It certainly takes a special person to be in the Navy, and on top of that to do something special like this, it's really remarkable."

Of course, the Sailors on Albany helped their families work on the house when they returned from their deployment. Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Timothy Overholter, a nuclear mechanic on Albany, said he was happy to work on a house that his command's family association was involved with. "It's a good chance to come out and be with the guys I work with on a daily basis and not have to endure the rigors of our regular job," he said.

"I think it's a really good program," said Albany M Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Ron Williams. "It's a wonderful thing to build a house for someone in need." As Wanda Waldron and her children move into their new home, they proudly fly the American flag on their front porch. The flag, a gift from the Sailors of USS Albany, is a reminder of all the military men and women and thier families that built their new home, and the sacrifices they make each and every day.