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Kearsarge Visits Rhodes for Recreation, COMREL

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050912-09
Release Date: 9/12/2005 4:24:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) visited Rhodes, Greece, Sept 2-5.

During the port visit, service members had the opportunity to enjoy the culture, shopping, beaches, food and nightlife of Greece, including various island and city tours offered by the ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) organization, as well as contribute through community relations projects.

“My friends and I took part in the ‘Lindos and City’ tour offered by MWR,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Charles Galvez, of Kearsarge’s Damage Control Division. “I had a chance to see many sights, including ancient structures that have been around since 600 B.C.”

Other tours offered by MWR included the Old City Tour, Kamiros Island Tour, Butterflies Island Tour, Lindos and Old City and Philenimos Tour.

While some Sailors and Marines took part in tours, others enjoyed some of the nightlife Rhodes had to offer.

“I enjoyed the restaurants and clubs at Falaraki,” said Sgt. Adam Schumacher of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). “Many of the local people and tourists were both friendly and helpful.”

“Bar Street was excellent,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Brian Goebel. “The locals entertained us with an outstanding display of hospitality and festivities.”

When Sailors and Marines weren’t taking tours or getting some rest and relaxation, many of them spread their goodwill by volunteering their time at the Haralabion Retirement Home and the Orphanage of Rhodes.

Military members volunteered at the Haralabion Retirement Home Sept. 1, and the Orphanage of Rhodes Sept. 3.

Cmdr. Guy Lee, Kearsarge Command Chaplain, and Marine Corps Lt. Cmdr. Ted Crandall, 26th MEU Command Chaplain, and 30 participants volunteered to help.

“I enjoyed participating in this project and am very thankful I was given the opportunity,” said Personnelman Seaman Alona Holmes. “I’ve never worked with elderly people before, and I learned a lot about them. Even though we were in a foreign country and they knew very little English, there were other ways for us to communicate with each other.”

Although the groups faced an initial language barrier, their sincere desire to make new friends and provide support made their purpose for being there apparent to the people they were helping.

“We learned that our culture and language barrier wasn’t all that formidable,” said Lee, who ran the project for the retirement home. “It didn’t take much to brighten the residents’ lives. There was one elderly woman who spoke just enough English to say ‘U.S. Navy...very good!’ That made it all worthwhile.”

Both projects received supplies from Operation Handclasp, which is a Chief of Naval Operations-sponsored program. The orphanage was also given several boxes of "Good Will Hunting" supplies, including two big boxes of stuffed animals.

“Good Will Hunting is a Marine program which was started by the 26th MEU,” said Crandall. “We solicited school supplies, toys and candy from church groups all over the United States. They sent us about 800 pounds of supplies, which we split up between Rhodes and Djibouti.”

The community relations projects were a way for Kearsarge Sailors and Marines to give something back to the Rhodes community and to thank them for their hospitality.

Kearsarge is returning from its deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.