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USS Bataan Participates in Operation Thin Mint

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030522-06

Release Date: 5/22/2003 11:31:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Apprentice James Kusher, USS Bataan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5) happily participated in Operation Thin Mint May 20 by each receiving their own box of Girl Scout Cookies.

The San Diego Imperial Council Girl Scouts organized the operation by sending more than 90,000 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to the Arabian Gulf in support of service members deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Bataan received 4,704 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. That figures into more than one box for every Sailor and Marine onboard Bataan," said Cmdr. David Pry, Bataan's supply officer. "The gesture is beyond awesome. Girl Scout Cookies are the best cookies in the world. Our Sailors and Marines will eat them right up, and the effect on morale will be amazing."

The commencement of Operation Thin Mint was passed over Bataan's 1-MC Announcing System, inviting the crew to pick up their boxes on the mess decks. "When I heard the announcement, I was in the Hangar Bay and a lot of people around me were so excited they started running to the mess decks," said Personnelman Seaman Apprentice Glen Sparks.

Cpl. Lacardian Durr, a Radio Operator with the Headquarters Company 2nd Marines, picked up his own box of Thin Mints from the mess decks.

"People were running upstairs to the berthing talking about it and coming back with boxes, so I went down to the mess decks," said Durr. "Everyone was really happy down there. It's not everyday you get your favorite Girl Scout Cookies free."

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Giovanni Alvarez was really grateful. "I'm really glad the Girl Scouts remembered us out here and sent us cookies. It brought a big smile to my face," said Alverez.

"My niece is a Girl Scout," said Pfc. James Srock, a Rifleman with the 3/2 Lima Company 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. "I can't wait to get home and see her, and tell her about it. This is really great."

Capt. Nora Tyson, executive officer of Bataan, is impressed by the donation. "It's a way of saying thank you from the proud young girls who embrace many of the same ideals that we do," said Tyson. "The effect on morale will be immeasurable."

Capt. Earle Yerger, commanding officer of Bataan, is very happy to see his crew excited with this special gift. "It is great that all our Sailors and Marines get to enjoy the donated cookies while away at sea," said Yerger. "It reminds them of the support we have at home in our historic endeavor."

Yerger and Tyson are also huge fans of the cookies. "My favorite are the Shortbread cookies," said Yerger.

"I would have to say the Peanut Butter cookies are my favorite," said Tyson. "But back in the height of my Girl Scout days I tried to give them all equal time."

Sailors and Marines aboard Bataan sent their thanks across the seas to the Girl Scouts for making this deployment a little sweeter. "Everybody's a fan of Girl Scout Cookies," said Pry. "We are all really grateful."

The ship and embarked Marines are components of Commander Task Force 51. The ship and crew left its homeport of Norfolk, Va., in January, for an unscheduled deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is the ship's third deployment since its commissioning in September 1997.