For Full Story: https://navyoutreach.blogspot.com/2024/10/richmond-native-builds-on-seabees-82.html
By Ashley Craig, Navy Office of Community Outreach
GULFPORT, Miss. – Since 1942, sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s Construction Force have been building and fighting around the world. Petty Officer 2nd Class Julius Dray, a native of Richmond, Kentucky, is one of those sailors.
Eighty-two years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were fittingly nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts and conducting underwater construction projects. The Seabees’ motto is “We Build, We Fight.”
Dray is a utilitiesman currently serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 at the headquarters for naval construction forces in Gulfport, Mississippi, which serves as a home base for the Atlantic Fleet Seabees.
Dray graduated from Madison Central High School in 2019.
Dray joined the Navy five years ago.
“I joined the Navy because I come from a military family,” said Dray. “My great grandpa’s brother was a paratrooper in World War II, my grandpa was a Marine during the Vietnam War and both uncles were in the Army. My parents both also served in the Navy. I’m the only one of my siblings to join, but I knew from a young age that I wanted to join.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Richmond.
“Most of my advice I got from my dad, who served 17 years in the Navy and was a chief,” said Dray. “He has all kinds of stories. He helps me be a better leader for my junior troops.”
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