Seaman Emily Hill sands the surface of the weather decks of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Chelsea Kennedy
Emily Hill of Hemlock joined the U.S. Navy in July 2007 when she was 20 years old. Today, she is a deck seaman aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan deployed in the Gulf of Oman off the Pakistan coast.
The Reagan is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier based out of San Diego, California. It is deemed to be the most lethal ship in the inventory of the US Navy, according Lt. Commander Ron Flander, ship spokesman.
For the second consecutive summer the Reagan is in the Gulf of Oman, launching jets around the clock into southern Afghanistan in support of US and coalition troops. Hill has been a member of the Reagan’s crew during both deployments. The air wing originating from the Reagan is providing one-third of all air support in Afghanistan.
Hill is a 2005 graduate of Honeoye Central School. Her mom and dad live “up on the hill” outside Hemlock with Emily’s grandfather and have been married 26 years.
Before joining the Navy Emily worked in Honeoye Falls as a welder and industrial painter. “I loved my job but I was looking for something new,” she relates. “I went to the Navy recruiters and that’s what they offered. I liked the way it sounded, so I joined.”
Emily would like to send a “shout out” to her family. ”I miss them more than anything and wish I could be there with them right now, but I’ve got to be out here supporting my country and giving it my time,” she said. Other shout outs go to best friend Candice Robinson, “Momma Cindy” who supports the troops, and good friend Mick.
Read our extended front page feature in the July 30 issue of the Livingston County News.
