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USS Blue Ridge Departs Sasebo

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041102-13
Release Date: 11/2/2004 9:01:00 PM

By Photographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Chantel Clayton and Journalist 2nd Class Luke Johnson, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) departed the southwestern Japanese port city of Sasebo Nov. 1 after an eventful four-day visit.

While there, the approximately 1,000 Blue Ridge and embarked Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet staff Sailors and Marines participated in sporting events, explored the local community and took tours to nearby Nagasaki.

While in Nagasaki, visitors enjoyed the sights and history of the area by visiting Peace Park, the Atomic Bomb Museum, and riding in a cable car to the top of Mt. Inasa to observe a spectacular panoramic view of the city.

Blue Ridge Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Danny J. Edwards from New Orleans said this was his first time in the area, and he found the city to be a lot different from most of the other places he has visited in Japan.

"I thought that Nagasaki was a beautiful city, and it was a lot more mountainous than I thought," said Edwards. "It was not as urban as compared to some of the other cities I visited in Japan."

In addition, 44 Sailors and Marines conducted a community service project at a children's home in Omura City Oct. 30.

The children, ages five to 17, greeted the Sailors with smiles and curiosity. But the Sailors had a universal ice-breaker - candy. From there it was a day of great weather, fun, games and new friendships.

"It is a beautiful day," commented Blue Ridge Chaplain (Lt. Cmdr.) Jon Brzek. "The crew looks forward to doing this. It gives them a great chance to meet new people, see a different part of Japan and to make new friends. It also shows friendship between us and our host nation. It is a way for us to come together."

As the hours passed, Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet Sailors found themselves laughing, running and playing with the children. Some Sailors played volleyball and soccer with the kids, while others climbed on monkey bars or started up a softball game. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Grace Placencia even enjoyed a free trip to the "beauty salon" as two young girls asked if they could brush and braid her hair.

"I've forgotten what it was like to be a kid," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Maria Ramos of Santa Cruz, Calif. "They have so much energy!"

The group also found a way to make sure they captured memories of the eventful day, as Sailors used the cameras on their cellular telephones to take pictures and show them to the children.

"The place here is beautiful," said Lt. Chris Poulos of Gulfport, Miss. "The experience has been a pleasant one. I really enjoyed playing with the children."

As the time came for the Sailors to leave, the children walked their new friends to their bus. As the bus pulled away from the home, the kids stood in the driveway, waving goodbye and thanking the Sailors for an exciting, fun-filled day.

Blue Ridge is a Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship. As flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Blue Ridge provides the highest quality capability for seagoing command and control of theater-level forces by naval and joint commanders during peacetime or conflict, and provides preeminent naval support for U.S. diplomatic initiatives and objectives. Blue Ridge is 634 feet long, 108 feet wide, and displaces 18,874 tons fully loaded. The ship can reach speeds of 23 knots and has a complement of 819 ship's company and approximately 240 staff personnel.