Winthrop Native Serves Aboard USS Constitution

A 1999 Pope John XXIII High School graduate from Winthrop is part of a hand picked Navy crew serving on the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, the USS Constitution in Charlestown.

Chief Petty Officer Brian Pettee, a supply officer, serves aboard the 216-year-old Boston-based ship named by President George Washington to honor the Constitution of the United States of America. Famously known as “Old Ironsides,” the Constitution is a wooden-hulled three-masted heavy frigate that originally launched in 1797 as one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Armament Act of 1794.

Pettee, 33, said he is honored to have been selected to serve on the ship that is rich in history and successfully held off the British Navy in the War of 1812.

“Serving on this ship has a special meaning to me,” said Pettee. “My grandfather served as the Captain of Constitution when I was 10 years old and to serve here instills a great sense of pride.”

Constitution actively defended sea lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855. Now a featured destination on Boston’s Freedom Trail, Constitution and her crew offer community outreach and education about the ship’s history and the importance of maintaining a strong Navy to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Seventy-five sailors make up the crew aboard USS Constitution. These sailors routinely interact with the public talking about their jobs aboard Constitution, their previous duty stations, Navy rules and regulations and life aboard a Navy vessel.

“It is an honor to serve on the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned war fighting vessel, but I am even prouder to serve alongside its 75 member crew,” said Cmdr. Sean Kearns, Constitution’s 73rd commanding officer. “Each sailor selected to serve on the USS Constitution has a unique story to tell, like that of “Old Ironsides.” The mission of today’s Navy is not much different than in 1797: protecting and defending America on the world’s oceans.”

Constitution is scheduled to conduct several sailing demonstrations in Boston Harbor this summer prior to entering a three-year dry dock maintenance period.

The popular Independence Day sailing, open to the public via lottery, will occur on July 4.

“The Navy provides an excellent opportunity to see the world and obtain professional skills to build a solid foundation for your future,” added Pettee.