Kids are important to Constitution. From the very beginning, young crewmembers served with honor and courage. When Constitution needed help, girls and boys rallied to her defense. By learning about her today, kids ensure that Constitution is not forgotten.
Meet some of USS Constitution‘s amazing kids!
At the age of 6, George Sirian lost everything when Ottoman forces attacked his home of Psara, Greece. In a desperate attempt to save his life, his mother put George into a small boat and cast him out to sea. Three years later, George joined the crew of USS Constitution and served aboard her three separate times during his 37-year career with the U.S. Navy.
In 1925, an SOS went out that USS Constitution needed help. School kids across the United States answered the call. They donated their pennies, nickels, and dimes to help pay for Constitution‘s much needed repair. Many also wrote essays about why “Old Ironsides” must be preserved. Julia Kochevar, who was 13 at the time, was the national winner with her essay “Why Will The Preservation of the U.S.S. Constitution, ‘Old Ironsides’ Promote Patriotism?”
David Debias joined USS Constitution‘s crew on December 17, 1814 at the age of 8! He earned $6 a month cleaning, carrying messages, and waiting on officers … but during battle he passed gun powder to the awaiting cannons. Didn’t believe an 8-year-old could be a real navy sailor, did you?
Eight year old Meredith Beck, daughter of Commander Michael Charles Beck, 64th commanding officer of USS Constitution, along with thousands of children from across the country, participated in the 1997 Pennies Campaign for “Old Ironsides.” Similar to the pennies campaign of the 1920’s, this campaign was intended to provide sails for USS Constitution so that she could sail for the first time in 116 years!
Learn about these and other spectacular kids in our newest exhibit now on view in our Education Center.
USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM | Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA 02129 | 6174261812
