October 5, 2006

News coverage is available in the video transcript below or on Navy.mil.

Reporter: More than 100 midshipman, faculty staff, chiefs, and community volunteers combined forces to preserve headstones in the Naval Academy Cemetery Saturday.

MIDN 3/C Katrina Brye: So many of the ones in our history books, we can walk right over here across from where we live and see where they are laid to rest. So we send a message that we take care of our own in the Navy, even after they’ve passed away.

Reporter: Headstones were cleaned with D/2 [biological solution from Cathedral Stone Products], a compound safe for masonry, safe for handling and safe for plant life.

CSW (SW) Andre Harris: It’s a great thing for all of us to get out and share our talents and gifts, and fun, and give back to the community, those that support us. So this is a great thing to do, it’s a great day, and we’re having fun.

MIDN 4/C Kwame anyika: It was actually pretty interesting because I only thought there were gonna be ‘Mids’ out here, the Midshipman who got the email that we need to come down here and clean, but there’s actually civilians out here. Seems like people from the community have come out to clean the Naval Academy cemetery.

MUC James Fowler: When the family comes to see that marker, I hope that they see it and know that it has been cleaned and that it is a proud, a proud moment for them to see it. So I feel good about that.

Reporter: One volunteer who comes from a family with five generations of military service spoke about the importance of the day’s events.

Lawrence Heyworth III, Academy Alumni Associate: It gives you an opportunity to give back. We always talk about giving back with your time, your talents, and your resources. And this certainly is another way of doing it, not just with your pocket, but with your very valuable time on a Saturday morning.

Reporter: For the Naval media center. I’m Petty Officer Robin Ressler.