Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew D. Dion, son of Jackie C. and David J. Dion of Livermore, participated in Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts while assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 homebased in Port Hueneme, Calif.

Dion’s unit helped a private school in Jefferson Parish, La., recover from damage caused by the hurricanes.

The Seabees cleared wind-blown debris, removed broken glass, cleaned classrooms, put up plywood on broken windows and mowed the school’s lawn, working independently so school personnel could concentrate on academic tasks.

The battalion consists of 700 personnel who specialize in advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery support around the world.

Dion is a 2000 graduate of Livermore Falls High School and joined the Navy in July 2000.