PASCAGOULA, Miss., Dec. 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Employees of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Ship Systems sector have donated over $92,000 toward a holiday seafood drive for American troops currently stationed in Kuwait.
The purchased seafood, as well as a variety of toiletries and personal amenities, will be sent on a military flight from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to Kuwait just in time for Christmas.
"Our employees have put together this very successful seafood drive so that the men and women serving in the Persian Gulf and away from their families during the holiday are able to enjoy a taste of home," said Dr. Philip A. Dur, president, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. "Working with the military and our congressional delegation, we have located reserve and National Guard units housing soldiers from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, and now they'll be able to enjoy some holiday treats in Kuwait."
The employee-donated funds are being used to purchase shrimp, catfish, lump crab meat and seasonings for a "taste of the Gulf Coast." Additionally, personal items such as batteries, deodorant, baby wipes, baby powder and calling cards will be shipped to servicemen and servicewomen from the Gulf Coast. More than a dozen local merchants have donated food, supplies and preparation services -- including cooking the gumbo -- to make the project a success.
"When this started, we hoped for and expected a big response, but when the total of more than $92,000 was announced, all of us were completely floored," said Judy Wheat, director, sector administration. "Our employees have always displayed their love of duty and country by the quality they build into every great ship they deliver, but this holiday seafood drive takes that devotion to our country a step further."
Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems sector includes primary operations in Pascagoula, Miss., Gulfport, Miss.; New Orleans and Tallulah, La.; as well as a network of fleet support offices in the U.S. and Japan. The sector, which currently employs more than 19,000 shipbuilding professionals primarily in Mississippi and Louisiana, is one of the nation's leading full-service systems companies for the design, engineering, construction, and life cycle support of major surface ships for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and international navies, and for commercial vessels of all types.
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