Navy Seabee Foundation

𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗧𝗦𝗗 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵. This one's for every Seabee — or veteran of any branch — who's ever felt like asking for help was the one thing you couldn't do.

Frank Palmer served for 25 years, 10 months, and 2 days. Active duty his entire career. Ramadi. Djibouti. Kuwait, days before the Iraq War started. Deployment after deployment, peacetime and wartime.

He'll be the first to tell you the weight added up.

In his own words, shared in this month's Bee News:
"After many peacetime and wartime deployments, the cumulative impact of service took a toll on me both mentally and physically. It was not one single event, but the weight of many experiences over time."

He was making mistakes — personally and professionally. A senior leader helped steer him toward self-reflection. For the first time in a career built on CAN DO, Frank stepped back to take care of himself.

And then he said something that stopped us cold:
"There may be no 'T' in CAN DO, but I learned that taking responsibility for my own healing was one of the most important things I could do."

That decision, he says, helped preserve not just his wellbeing — but his relationship with his wife and his children.

Frank retired as a CMDCM. Today he's leading hospital operations on an island in American Samoa — installing the island's first MRI, rebuilding a Central Plant, and launching a Leadership Academy for the next generation.

He still reaches out to fellow Seabees navigating mental health, confidence, and leadership challenges. He still shows up.
That's not weakness. That's the hardest kind of CAN DO there is.

Frank shared much more in this month's Bee News — his sea stories from Kuwait, the backyard in Guam where a 17-year grudge finally got resolved, and the work he's doing right now in American Samoa. It's worth the full read. Link in the first comment below. 👇

If you or someone you know is carrying more than they're letting on, June is a good month to say something. You can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling or texting 988 and pressing 1.

Have you or someone close to you found a way through that you wish more people knew about? You never know who's reading. 👇

The June edition of BEE NEWS has arrived!

This morning, Navy Seabee Foundation supporters received first access to the latest issue of BEE NEWS, featuring Seabee stories, Foundation updates, upcoming events, historical highlights, and news from across the Seabee and Civil Engineer Corps family.

If it didn't land in your inbox, you can read the June issue—and browse past editions—on our website:
👉 https://www.seabee.org/about/publications/

Not getting BEE NEWS? Update your contact information and stay connected with the latest news, stories, and opportunities from across the Seabee community:
👉 https://www.seabee.org/support/share-your-story/

🐝

With Memorial Day weekend approaching, we want to introduce you to one of the most meaningful corners of the Seabee Foundation website: The Final Salute.

A searchable, permanent tribute to Seabees and CEC officers who have passed — organized by era, from World War II to the present day. New entries are added as we are notified. Their names deserve to be remembered.

This Memorial Day weekend, we invite you to visit the Final Salute online to search for a fellow Seabee, honor a family member, or simply pause and read the names. And if you know of a Seabee or CEC officer not listed, reach out. Their name belongs here.

🔗 seabee.org/final-salute
Fair winds and following seas. Can Do — always.