BOSTON, MASS. Rose Fennell, a Grants, New Mexico, native is serving as a Culinary Specialist 2nd Class aboard the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy: USS Constitution.
Duty aboard USS Constitution is one of the Navy’s special programs, and all prospective crewmembers must meet a high standard of sustained excellence and interview to be selected for the assignment.
“I am honored to be here and very excited to learn all about the vast history of this ship,” said Fennell.
Fennell has served the Navy for seven years and her previous duty stations were Naval Medical Center San Diego Balboa, California, and the amphibious assault ship USS America, LHA 6.
Fennell is a 2013 graduate of Grants High School in Cibola County, New Mexico.
The USS Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855.
The active-duty sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution normally provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people each year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history, maritime heritage, and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.
USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels. The ship earned the nickname of “Old Ironsides” during the war of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.