From STEM to stern, Natalie Ebreo is her Navy father’s daughter. A recent graduate with a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech, the 22-year-old is launching her career in… wait for it… shipping.
Not quite the Navy like her Dad, retired Chief Petty Officer Nato Ebreo, but close enough. Kept out of the service by asthma, Natalie will be Navy by proxy -- she has a job lined up with Newport News Shipbuilding, designers and builders of aircraft carriers and submarines for the Navy.
“I am looking forward to assisting the Navy through my career at the shipyard next year and hope to work more with military efforts in the future,” says Natalie.
Not quite the Navy like her Dad, retired Chief Petty Officer Nato Ebreo, but close enough. Kept out of the service by asthma, Natalie will be Navy by proxy -- she has a job lined up with Newport News Shipbuilding, designers and builders of aircraft carriers and submarines for the Navy.
“I am looking forward to assisting the Navy through my career at the shipyard next year and hope to work more with military efforts in the future,” says Natalie.
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Service to others and to the country is in her blood, an extension of the American dream lived by her father an immigrant from the Philippines. Once here, he joined the U.S. Navy beginning his new life in America with a job, and eventually his wife Catherine, a military nurse, and three children.
“For me, service is a central part of my life,” says Natalie, reflected in her senior year project with an Army Veteran. “Since I am fortunate enough with my opportunities, giving back to others is a focus of mine.”
That team project was the development of a wheelchair tire cleaning apparatus for Adam Keys, an amputee who’s conquered Kilimanjaro and more.
“For me, service is a central part of my life,” says Natalie, reflected in her senior year project with an Army Veteran. “Since I am fortunate enough with my opportunities, giving back to others is a focus of mine.”
That team project was the development of a wheelchair tire cleaning apparatus for Adam Keys, an amputee who’s conquered Kilimanjaro and more.
“I am grateful for Adam’s service, and it has been an honor to work with him,” Natalie says of the task spearheaded by Quality of Life Plus, a non-profit organization. “He truly is an inspiring (and funny) individual who motivates the team to keep working hard on this project and in life.”
In fact, hard work comes naturally for Natalie. “My parents have always emphasized the value of hard work and diligence in achieving one’s goals. If times are challenging or difficult, they do not complain about the situations but rise above them.”
It’s the story of so many military children and spouses who, while they don’t wear a uniform, sacrifice daily alongside their service member. Natalie remembers well.
“One of the major challenges were the times when my Dad was deployed. Mom had to act as both parents while he was away, which was difficult with three young children at the time,” she explains. “There are numerous sacrifices involved with this lifestyle, but I believe it is worth it. One of the positives of being in a military family is the support and commitment of the military community.”
As is the support of civilian counterparts. They too are top of mind for Natalie and her siblings, all of whom have been able to attend college (“For my family, education is a key for success,” says Natalie) despite financial challenges and, in part, with the help of Natalie’s two ThanksUSA scholarships.
“ThanksUSA has helped to make our dreams a reality,” says Natalie. “I have been able to take some of the burden off my parents’ shoulders.”
And she plans to shoulder even more going forward … by paying it forward to those who serve.
“My Mom and Dad’s service in the military has provided me with a deep sense of pride and appreciation for this country, especially for those who have served.”
