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CSFE hosts 15th Seabee Ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The first Sheppard Navy officer in charge shared his years of knowledge and experience with Sheppard at the annual Seabee Ball in Wichita Falls, Texas, March 6.

Members of the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering, Detachment Sheppard, celebrated two significant anniversaries.

This year's guest speaker was Lt. Cmdr. Earl Ramsey, Naval Construction Training Center (initially CFSE), det. Sheppard, retired officer in charge.

"Lieutenant Commander Ramsey is a major part of Seabee history here at Sheppard," said Chief Petty Officer Shawn Flynn, a graduate from the third Seabee class to pass through Sheppard. "He was the one who basically brought the Navy to Sheppard.

"He was the first OIC for the Navy, meaning he had to set up the barracks, coordinate the instructor qualifications course, classrooms and also assist the Navy Military Training Instructors. Overall, that's a huge accomplishment."

Chief Flynn said those attending the Seabee Ball couldn't have imagined how special it is that Commander Ramsey was the speaker for the event.

"When he stood up and gave his speech, he truly brought to light the importance of service to this great country, using his own personal career he taught many great life lessons," Chief Flynn said. "He's the forefront to how the Navy got its title here at Sheppard, so to us he's a legend."

"He's done it all, attaining ranks from an E-8 to a warrant officer to a lieutenant commander. That made him the man for the job," he said. "LCDR explained that overall he was excited to see what Sheppard has become and the great work and caliber of instruction that has been developed for training the new generation of students."

The ball commemorated the 143rd anniversary of the Navy Civil Engineer Corps and the 68th Seabee birthday, March 5, 1942, when a construction battalion was activated, creating the name Seabees from the battalion's initials.