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Friends and Families Join Cushing for Day Cruise

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040409-23

Release Date: 4/11/2004 6:39:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Matthew Olay, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- More than 100 family members and friends of Sailors stationed aboard USS Cushing (DD 985) attended the ship's 2004 Family and Friends Day March 30.

The event's goal was to familiarize the family members, friends and guests of Cushing Sailors with the day-to-day operations of the Spruance-class destroyer when it conducts operations under way, according to Cmdr. Steven A. Mucklow, the ship's commanding officer.

The guests began the morning by assembling on the ship's flight deck for a welcome briefing by Mucklow, followed by requisite briefings on health and safety. As soon as the assembly ended and preparations to get underway began, Sailors showed their friends and family around the ship, offering them a glimpse into shipboard operations.

"It's a nice feeling to share what I do with my family," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Ronny Corpuz, who watched with his wife and two children as his deck crew prepared to get Cushing under way during sea and anchor detail. "My son asks me almost every day what I do in the Navy, and it's a lot better to show him what I do to get a better understanding."

Seaman Paul Desi brought his wife aboard to give her a taste of the seagoing life that he had grown so accustomed to.

"I want her to see the scenery and get a feel for the sea," said Desi. "I always explain it to her, but you can't really say in words what you're feeling when you're aboard."

Though originally scheduled to go under way for four hours, Cushing's cruise had to be abbreviated to less than two hours due to rain. During that time, however, the ship's guests were afforded many opportunities to experience what life is like at sea. The combat information center, central control station and pilothouse were just a handful of the areas the guests were able to visit. In addition, members of the ship's crew offered various demonstrations on shipboard operations.

Damage Controlman 3rd Class Aaron Holland and Damage Controlman 3rd Class Jerry Padgett walked around the ship donned in full safety suits to show the guests how the ship's crew deals with various contingencies.

"I feel (this cruise) is a good experience," said Padgett, speaking through the airtight gasmask attached to his camouflaged chemical protective suit. "It shows (guests) exactly what we do. It shows them a damage control environment and some of the things we work with day to day."

As Cushing returned from its brief trip, guests rounded out the event by joining their sponsors for a meal in Cushing's mess. Mucklow thanked everybody for his or her participation over the ship's 1 MC, and gave his crew the rest of day off.

Mucklow considers the 2004 Family and Friends Day cruise a success, and thought it a fitting way for Cushing Sailors to interact with those close to them on the eve of a long deployment.

"The objectives were accomplished," said Mucklow. "We got about a hundred family (members) and friends out here and got a chance to say hello to them. I think it helps the bond between family and the Sailor."