Boxer Departs Marshall Islands Following COMREL Projects
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050902-11
Release Date: 9/2/2005 7:35:00 AM
By Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Dan Jones and Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class James Bartels, USS Boxer Public Affairs
ABOARD USS BOXER (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), departed Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Aug. 29 after completing several community service programs and volunteer projects on the island.
The visit gave the more than 1,200 Sailors and Marines embarked aboard the ship a chance to not only experience the island but also provide community assistance in the form of medical aid, construction and repairs to schools and other buildings.
Boxer’s medical staff, with the help of Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, provided cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic first aid and first-responder training to police, firefighters, emergency medical service workers, U.S. Embassy personnel and teachers from the World Peace Organization (WPO) during the visit.
“People with CPR training on the island are very rare,” said Louis S. Walden, a WPO teacher. “Working at a school with more than 700 students, I might be the only person in a 50-mile radius with CPR training, which can be vital in saving lives.”
Volunteers provided 16 hours of lectures, live demonstrations and educational pamphlets to more than 160 trainees.
“The training we provided should dramatically increase the quality of care patients receive,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bradley M. Jenkins, of Waco, Texas. “The goal of the training is to improve Marshallese quality of life and ultimately save lives.”
While in the Marshall Islands, another team of Sailors went to local schools to read to the students and brighten their day with treats, coloring books and games. Sailors spent the day one-on-one with the students and got a chance to get to know the children during the visit.
“This experience provided a unique opportunity for all involved,” said Lt. Johan Baik, one of Boxer’s two chaplains. “Our Sailors and Marines made a huge impact on the island and the community. This is one of the events that stay in a person’s heart forever.”
Other Sailors volunteered to help the community by restoring electricity to several locations and beautifying the island by refurbishing a few public areas.
“I helped build a sea wall with some of the locals,” said Storekeeper 1st Class Joyce Avena. “This trip, while a lot of hard work, was fun and well worth the effort. The Boxer team was able to do some really great things.”
During the visit, Boxer Sailors devoted time to medical and emergency response training with the local fire department. Marshall Islands firefighters spent two days working with Boxer’s damage control team on board the ship and at Majuro’s airport.
“We are very grateful that the ship’s people helped us and educated us,” said Majuro International Airport’s Chief Firefighter Mill Helkem. “It is amazing how knowledgeable they were and how willing they were to pass some of their insight on to us.”
While most of Boxer’s attention was focused on humanitarian work, there was also time for the “Golden Gator” Sailors to have fun with a few of the local sports teams. The visiting Sailors took the opportunity to play against Majuro’s teams in several basketball and softball games.
“This was a great time for us and for our Boxer softball team,” said Senior Chief Storekeeper Denise De Pozo, who coached a softball game. “The smiles were everywhere during the game. Everyone from both teams had a great time, and I’m glad they invited us to play with them.”
Boxer’s stop in Majuro reinforced the can-do attitude of the ship’s crew and demonstrated the U.S. commitment to the longtime friendship with the Marshall Islands.
Boxer is commanded by Capt. Thomas J. Culora, and is the fourth of seven ships in the Wasp class of large-deck amphibious assault ships. Boxer is home ported in San Diego.
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