• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Stethem Makes New Friends in Nagasaki

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060224-08
Release Date: 2/24/2006 3:30:00 PM

By Ensign Grace Rodden, USS Stethem Public Affairs

NAGASAKI, Japan (NNS) -- During USS Stethem’s (DDG 63) port visit to Nagasaki, Japan, Sailors visited the Myojoen Orphanage to spend the afternoon playing with the children there, Feb.11.

Sailors, ranging from seaman to senior chief petty officers, met the children, participated in various activities and shared refreshments prepared by the ship. Some of the activities included tug-of-war, a relay race, “cops and robbers” and baseball.

Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Eram Villagomez had a memorable day with the children.

“I had a great experience at the orphanage playing with the children and trying to speak with them,” Villagomez said. “I remember as soon as we walked in, the kids’ faces just shined and even though some [Sailors] do not speak Japanese, I felt we bonded with the children really well.”

Chief Electrician’s Mate (SW) Stephen Bacay was responsible for leading the event and deemed it a success since both Sailors and children had fun. Bacay presented the Myojoen Orphanage administrator a ship’s ball cap and a photograph of Sethem as a gift for letting the Sailors visit and meet with the children.

Stethem Sailors have vowed to maintain a continuing relationship with the children of Myojogen. Many Sailors will continue to help the orphanage by donating new toys and taking up a financial collection to buy new soccer balls, baseball bats and a basketball hoop.

Sonar Technician Surface 2nd Class (SW) Joseph Whalen was particularly excited about the participating in the event.

”I had a blast on Saturday,” Whalen said, “I actually got an email Saturday night from one of the kids. He was very happy that we came. He said that it has been a very long time since he has seen so many smiles on the younger kids’ faces.”

Whalen and the Sailors of Stethem have pledged to donate sports equipment to the children, and of course, to visit again.

Stethem is currently underway in the Western Pacific conducting training. The ship is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan.