Kennewick Woman Serves on U.S. Navy Warship-“Mighty Ike”

A Kennewick native has the honor of serving on one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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Seaman Abbigail Beardsley is a 2017 South Ridge High School graduate. She joined the Navy just one year ago.

“I joined the Navy because I had the privilege and opportunity to do something where others might not,” said Beardsley. “I take pride in that.”

According to Beardsley, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Kennewick.

“I learned that no matter the education, status or the money that you have if you're willing to put in work and have good motivations behind that, you're going to get where you want to go,” said Beardsley. “It's always possible.”

The Mighty Ike is 1,092 feet long, longer than three football fields. The ship weighs more than 100,000 tons and its homeport is Norfolk, Virginia.

When the air wing is embarked, the ship has more than 70 fighter attack jets, helicopters, and other aircraft that can take off and land on the carrier at sea.

“We have our Marines, Airmen, and Soldiers overseas,” said Beardsley. “We can't always be with them but we're behind them. We'll be right there to defend them. The most important part is being a good shipmate,” added Beardsley. “The people I've met have filled a role in my life that no relationship previously has. I would do anything and everything for any one of them.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Kennewick's Abbigail Beardsley is part of a service tradition keeping our nation safe.

We thank you for your service.