Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 6, 2003
CONTACT: Kristin Barney Adams
Phone:
(312) 632-0000
“FRIENDS OF USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN” LAUNCHED
TO HELP NAVY FAMILIES
CHICAGO - As the USS Abraham Lincoln steams home from the Persian Gulf,
a new support organization - Friends of the USS Abraham Lincoln is
being organized by a small group of Illinois business leaders to help ease
the lives of the families of those enlisted Sailors and Aviators who serve
on this great ship.
Friends of the USS Abraham Lincoln is the latest in a long tradition
of private groups organized in cooperation with the United States Navy to
help our nation's Sailors. It is the first organization that will allow Illinois
residents and businesses to both directly help military families and honor
the timeless legacy of America's greatest president. (We are also asking for
National Support.)
Co-Founder of “Friends”, Stephen Barney, Jr. said, “By
the time the USS Abraham Lincoln reaches its home port in Everett, WA, the
personnel on the Lincoln will have been at sea for the better part of 10 months,
the second longest deployment in the history of the US Navy. As the
Sailors mounted the obstacles of war, their families faced the challenges of
home
life. Unfortunately, the salaries of men and women in our armed services -
especially enlisted personnel - don't go very far. A number of military families
are forced to make ends meet through the use of food stamps and other government
subsidies.
A Seaman First Class aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, who has served less than
two years in the Navy, earns a little more than $16,000 per year, and an additional
$150
per month for any time when stationed in a “combat zone”. While
military personnel receive “allowances” for food,
clothing
and housing for their dependants, they are nonetheless among the lowest paid
members of the nation's work force. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the base salaries
of only five occupations
rank lower than that of enlisted servicemen and
women.”
Co-Founder Stephen Barney, Jr. continues “Friends of the USS Abraham Lincoln has
been created to ensure that “Abe's” Sailors return home to more
than joyous hugs and thankful hearts”. One hundred percent of donations
will benefit the enlisted crew and families of the USS Abraham Lincoln,
because “Friends” has already received support for its administrative
expenses.
Barney continued to say, “We wish to provide this support in numerous
ways, including establishing a college scholarship fund created for the children
of enlisted Sailors who have served on Abe, holiday shipments
of toys, and special birthday presents to the children of Abe's deployed crew.” Contributors and patrons of the organization essentially will be
“adopting” the
USS Abraham Lincoln and its large
family. And - most importantly - their gifts will help boost the morale
aboard Abe when the ship is at sea.
We earnestly seek your support, creativity and involvement. To quote the
ship's former Commanding Officer, Captain K.L. Card, “There is nothing that instills
pride and professionalism in our Sailors more than the appreciation and support
of the people they defend.”
All of the donations to this non-profit corporation will go to the spouses
and dependants of the enlisted sailors and aviators who are currently or have
served on the USS Lincoln.
For more information about how to contribute (financial or gifts-in-kind)
to Friends of the USS Abraham Lincoln, please contact Kristin Barney Adams
at (312) 632-0000 or visit our website at WWW.USSABE.ORG.
Friends
of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
130
South Canal, Suite 9T • Chicago, IL 60606 • (312) 632-0000
|
