Leavenworth Native serves aboard future U.S. Navy warship

SAN DIEGO - Petty Officer 2nd Class Vanessa (Saunders) Bong, a native of Leavenworth, Washington, is serving aboard one of the nation’s newest, most versatile warships, the future USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5).

Petty Officer 2nd Class Vanessa (Saunders) Bong is a 1998 High School graduate. According to Bong, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Leavenworth. 

“Growing up in a small town, I was taught at an early age that you have to work hard to make something of yourself," Bong said. “Life is what you make it and if you really want something, only you can stop you from reaching that goal!”