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Marines and sailors anchor in Vladivostok, Russia

Marine Corps News

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20047612315
Story by Cpl. Ryan Walker

USS HARPERS FERRY (LSD 49), VLADIVOSTOK, Russia -(July 4, 2004) -- One hundred twenty Marines and sailors, currently assigned to the Vladivostok Port Visit Detachment, 3rd Service Support Group, arrived here July 3rd.

These servicemembers visited Russia to maintain and enhance the relationship between U.S. and Russian military forces by building camaraderie between servicemembers of the two nations.

Servicemembers involved in the five-day port visit presented static displays of Marine equipment, participated in a close order drill demonstration, competed in a volleyball match against Russian military servicemembers and demonstrated techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program to Russian citizens and military personnel.

This was an tremendous opportunity for everyone serving as ambassadors of goodwill for the Marine Corps, Navy and United States, according to Cmdr. Thomas M. Prater, detachment commanding officer. This allows the two countries to grow closer as allies working together to achieve world peace, he said.

"The cold war is over, and now we're going in the same direction for world peace. Russia wants the same thing as the United States. If we work together, we can achieve world peace and there will be no more problems in the world," said Russian Navy Lt. Capt. Dimitriy Ivanov, who attended the barbeque.

Russian and U.S. servicemembers also celebrated the United States' Independence Day holiday during a barbeque in the port.

The most important part of the trip to Vladivostok was the chance for Marines and sailors to meet Russian servicemembers and learn that they share many of the same hopes and dreams, Prater said.

"This was my first time to Russia and everyone was so friendly. Vladivostok was an amazing city and Russian people are really just like us," said Cpl. Carlos A. Paredes, detachment administration noncommissioned office in charge. "The best part of the deployment was the barbeque because Russian sailors celebrated our independence day with us, and I think that really showed how our relationship has evolved over the years."

Russian and U.S. servicemembers honored the two nations' fallen warriors of World War II during a wreath laying ceremony and drill performance at the C-56 Submarine Memorial in Vladivostok.

After the ceremony four Marines and sailors were promoted, and one sailor re-enlisted for a term of three years.

"I was excited about this deployment because it was a chance to learn about another culture and I was promoted to corporal, which made it even more memorable," said Cpl. Joan R. RamirezMieres, detachment administration clerk. "There aren't very many Marines who can say they were promoted in Russia."

Marines and Sailors embarked aboard the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and departed Okinawa, Japan, June 29th. They traveled more than 1,000 nautical miles to Russia. The detachment is scheduled to return to Okinawa this month.