The Source for Navy News
USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Get the “Right
Spirit”
Story Number: NNS021218-24
Release Date: 12/19/2002
6:58:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class Ryan Hicks, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN
72) command Drug/Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) sponsored a “Right Spirit”
party Dec. 7 at Naval Station Annex Bahrain’s Desert Dome to promote the
idea that Sailors don’t need alcohol to have a good time.
The
two-hour party centered on a talent show, but also included giveaway
prizes ranging from 150 T-shirts to three mink blankets, three walkmans
and a few perfume sets. Keeping with the theme of non-alcohol beverages,
water and soda were available at a stand near the stage at no
cost.
The “Right Spirit” Campaign, adopted by the Secretary of the
Navy in 1996, is designed to deglamorize alcohol use and prevent binge
drinking.
The “Right Spirit” Campaign isn’t about prohibition,
however.
The motto for “Right Spirit” says it all - “It’s about
choice.” It’s also about reminding all hands, from seaman to admiral, of
leadership, responsibility and accountability, and to support an
individual’s choice not to drink.
Chief Storekeeper William Bell,
Abe’s DAPA representative, coordinated the event with the help of
departmental and squadron DAPA representatives as well as the Chief Petty
Officer, 1st Class Petty Officer and Mustang Associations.
The
talent show featured Sailors out of their usual uniforms doing everything
from singing, rapping and playing guitar to hula
dancing.
Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Glenn Young has been in the
Navy for 19 years, but a Navy-sponsored alcohol-free event was something
new for him.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “A
party where it says it’s okay not to drink and still have a good time and
be yourself.
“I think it’s a great idea ... promoting that you can
have a good time, you don’t need to drink alcohol, and still enjoy
yourself in today’s Navy.”
After the party finished, Bell had
nothing but positive things to say about the event. “We accomplished what
we wanted to,” he said. “It was about choice – it wasn’t about
prohibition. Everybody had a great time, and I think it worked out
fantastic. (The party) was a great promotion for the ‘Right Spirit’
campaign, and that’s what we set out to do.”
The next “right
spirit” party is scheduled to be sometime during Abraham Lincoln’s
upcoming planned incremental availability.
For related news, visit
the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Navy NewsStand page at http://www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.
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