Seabees Get New Logo, Theme for Anniversary!

Newsworthy items from around the world, for the Sportsman like you!

Recently, the Seabees unveiled a new logo and theme to honor and celebrate their upcoming 75th anniversary in 2017. The logo and theme was selected from over 70 entries as part of a contest launched by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. It was open to anyone “who supports the ‘can-do’ attitude of the Seabee Force”.

It still has the famous tool-wielding, machine gun-toting bee in its “Dixie Cup” hat. Along with the ever-present “can do” and “we build, we fight”, the addition of “built on history” and “constructing the future” are a part of the theme update. Finally, there are added symbols representing the various tasks Seabees have been known for…like building bases, runways, bridges, or anything else needed for military infrastructure.

When I read this, I instantly thought of this Seabees poster my Granpop had at his house. As a young child, I thought the bee logo was a peculiar-looking cartoon character! But I learned that my Grandpop was Chief Petty Officer in the Seabees. I used to visit him and my grandmother at their house in Cape May, New Jersey, where he moved to after retiring from the Navy Yard in Philadelphia. His place was decked-out with all kinds of newspaper clippings, pictures, and whatnot from World War II on…including an autograph of General Omar Bradley, who he talked with at my uncle’s West Point graduation. My Grandpop was USA military all the way. He even worked as a recruiter during the Vietnam War.

A Seabee is the name of a member of the United States Naval Construction Force. “Seabee” is a play on CB, initials for Construction Battalion. And my Grandpop was just the handy type the Seabees epitomize. He could help out with just about anything…fixing or building, carpentry, welding, plumbing, you name it. He told me he even carved his initials into a pipe on the USS Iowa when he had to work on it in Philadelphia. At home, his entire garage (which I can still see and smell) was his shop; I never saw so many tools in my life. One time he volunteered to dig up the neighbors’ yard to fix their plumbing because the guy who lived there flew helicopters at the nearby Coast Guard station. He was always appreciative of those who served.

And until the day he died, he wore his uniform out for big events, and always returned a salute from an officer. In fact, he was buried in his uniform when he died in fall 2000.

Seeing this news made me think that Seabees poster, and of my Grandpop. I can still hear his commanding voice telling me his stories. I, along with the Sportsman’s Guide®, PROUDLY salute and support the Seabees, as well as ALL branches of service!

So what do you think of the logo? Read the Navy’s news release here.

Banner image: U.S. Navy photo by Steelworker 1st Class Honer Villanueva/Released.