Crommelin Hosts Friends and Family Cruise
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS040409-04
Release Date: 4/9/2004 2:31:00 PM
By Journalist Seaman Ryan Mcginley, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Crommelin (FFG 37) hosted a cruise to Maui April 2-5 for family members, the Navy League and teachers from Holomua Elementary School, providing educational demonstrations performed by the crew.
More than 200 guests were invited aboard to learn the responsibilities and rewards of being a U.S. Navy Sailor.
"It's a time for our crew to show to their families...what they do for a living and help share that with them," said Cmdr. Don Hodge, Crommelin's commanding officer.
Crommelin has a partnership in education with Holomua Elementary School in which Sailors provide tutoring and help maintain the school's appearance.
"We love it," said Colleen Hokutan, Holomua Elementary School teacher. "They always come to the school and help us, and now it's really nice to see what they do."
Hodge said the Navy League provides tremendous support in the civilian community with getting Navy plans and programs through the House of Representatives.
"I think it's important that they see what their efforts result in, and our guys have had a wonderful time showing [them] around," he said.
On the trip to Maui, Crommelin's crew demonstrated shipboard life to their guests in various ways.
After setting a course for the tropical island, Crommelin introduced its capabilities during a high-speed evasive maneuver demonstration that left some guests feeling a bit queasy. The guided-missile frigate made quick and acute turns, rocking the ship back and forth while some guests cheered and others held on for dear life.
"I like when we went really fast and then we reversed and then we did those maneuvers and turns," said Hokutan. "I like that part. It was fun."
Next, the crew showed guests the importance of quick response to emergencies. Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW) Robert McGregor gave a class on the necessities of damage control, as well as equipment used to fight fires. The crew then demonstrated dressing out in firefighting ensembles and water hose techniques.
An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter then flew by the ship numerous times, demonstrating aerial maneuvers before landing on the flight deck. Guests pointed and snapped photographs of the aerial display before getting a close look at the helicopter on the flight deck.
"When the helicopter buzzed us that was really exciting, because it really seemed to have a lot of flair," said John Thorvaldson, Navy League member. "The pilot really had a lot of panache."
Crommelin's culinary specialists also prepared a steel beach picnic for the guests, which included hamburgers and hot dogs.
Ensign Kristen Christensen, anti-submarine warfare officer and cruise director, posed trivia questions for the family and friends on the commissioning and size of the ship.
While anchored off the coast of Maui, crew members performed community service to Kihei Elementary School by painting quiet zone signs and playground equipment. Crommelin has also adopted an elementary school from Ecuador to assist during the ship's upcoming deployment to South America.
On the return home from Maui, some guests took in the sun on the flight deck, while others witnessed static displays of various weaponry and areas of the ship. Guests were then treated to a 50-caliber gunfire display.
"It was loud and powerful," said Thorvaldson. "I like to see the power that [the ship] has."
Hodge said the purpose of the cruise was for family and friends to see the way a Navy ship operates.
"I think it sends the message that we're not only concerned about the service member," said Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Rodrick Barrow, supply department leading chief petty officer. "We are interested in the families too, [and] any time you get an opportunity to do this, it's good for the Navy and good for the families. It's a win-win for everybody."
With its upcoming deployment only a month away, Crommelin crew members got to spend time with their families while showing them what they do on a daily basis.
"I think it's important...so the families can understand what their mom or dad or brother or sister does in the Navy-- understand why they're here," said Christensen.
Throughout the four-day adventure, guests of the Crommelin developed an understanding of the danger and excitement of shipboard life aboard a U.S. naval ship.
"It's very enjoyable, and everyone's really polite," said Sally Messbarger, Navy League spouse. "Any question I ask, they answer."
Friends and family of Crommelin's crew expressed an overwhelming response to the cruise having demonstrated the ship's importance, and also the significance of the Navy as a whole.
"It's a real good feeling, a proud-to-be-American feeling," said Hokutan. "It's a very good experience."
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