Kelvin White will never forget how he spent Veterans Day this year.

White, a U.S. Navy veteran and Master Shipbuilder at Newport News Shipbuilding, represented fellow shipbuilders and veterans at the U.S. Naval Academy football game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was even recognized on the field prior to kickoff and presented with a game ball by Chet Gladchuk, president of the Naval Academy Athletic Association and director of Athletics.

“It was amazing to look up in the stands and see all those people,” said White, who is understandably a Navy fan.

Before beginning his shipbuilding career at NNS four decades ago, White – a pipefitter – spent eight years in the Navy and served on Enterprise (CVN 65). “I’ve actually lived on what I’m building now. I know the importance of every little nut and bolt,” he said. “It gives me a great sense of pride to be able to have served and now to build these ships. I’m Navy for life.”

White attended the game in Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife, a son who lives in the area and his 9-year-old grandson.

“I got a chance to take my grandson into the locker room. He met players. He met coaches. He got a chance to run on the field,” he said. “The whole thing was just put together very well.”

White said he was honored to be chosen to attend the game – which Navy won 31-6.

“They trusted me to go up and represent,” he said.