by Stephanie Fox and Rick Burke,
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Sailors help maintain America’s advantage at sea. This means they do not always get to celebrate holidays with their loved ones. Two area sailors serving in the United States Navy are celebrating the holidays with their fellow sailors. Churchville native Seaman Apprentice Dakoda Andross is aboard the USS Gravely and Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher King from Kendall is aboard the USS Essex.
“To me, the holidays mean getting together and spending time with one another,” said Andross. “They are a time to give thanks for all we have and all that will come in our future. It’s also a time to laugh and reflect on our past days, both good and bad, and how they made us who we are today.”
Andross, a 2020 graduate of Churchville-Chili High School, wants family back home to know they are missed this holiday season.
“I just want to say that I love and miss my hometown,” said Andross. “Everyone that I’ve met there has made me who I am today. Without all of you, I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing in life right now. I’d also like to shout out my dad and grandma, who have raised me and given me so much. Don’t take everything for granted. It is so important to always give love to the ones that give you life. Soak in every moment like it is your last because you never know what can happen. Appreciate life in general and be grateful for what you have.”
King said, “The holidays mean spending time with family and building special memories.”
As members of the U.S. Navy, Andross and King as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs, and humanitarian assistance.
“To me, serving in the Navy means a stepping stone in my life,” added Andross. “You meet a lot of new people, are introduced to new cultures, and visit new places. You learn so much that can help you in the future. You also make life-long friends that can help you grow.”
“Serving in the Navy is not a job, it’s an adventure,” added King.
