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Steel Hammer Sailors Lend a Hand in Leyte

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060303-07
3/3/2006

By Ensign Sara Dial, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs

LEYTE, Republic of Philippines (NNS) -- Five USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) Sailors got the unique opportunity to join 91 Sailors from USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) in a community service project Feb. 25 at St. Bernard Elementary School in southern Leyte.

Curtis Wilbur has been operating in the vicinity of Leyte Gulf since Feb. 19, supporting the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) operations following the Feb. 17 mudslide that devastated the farming village of Guinsaugon.

“Shortly after the mudslide occurred, our ship was directed to proceed to the Philippine Sea east of Leyte Gulf," said Cmdr. Brian O’Donnell, commanding officer of Curtis Wilbur said. "While we provided air defense for the Essex ARG in support of the HA/DR operations, the [community service project] was our first opportunity to directly contribute to the relief efforts on the ground. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our five Sailors who participated … something they won’t soon forget."

The “Steel Hammer” volunteers included Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rolando Abad, Engineman 2nd Class (SW) Berton Breyette, Information Systems Technician 2nd Class James Gaudinez, Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Andrew McCabe, and Sonar Technician Surface 3rd Class William Warren.

The participants were picked up by helicopter and flown to the community service site, St. Bernard Elementary School, which was being used as an evacuation center. The school consists of 20 classrooms and was providing shelter to 1,500 people. More than 500 were children under the age of 12, from four townships.

The volunteers were assigned several tasks during the four hour community service project. Once on the landing zone, the volunteers began loading the helicopter with essential medical supplies destined for other parts of the island. Next, they cleaned classrooms, dug ditches behind the school for temporary drainage to prevent flooding, and moved relief goods into the classrooms.

Despite the heat, humidity, and hard work, the Sailors were not deterred.

“The kids were great," said McCabe. "They would watch us dig and clap for us. They grabbed and clung to us, and made us feel appreciated. You couldn’t help but smile at them when they called you ‘amigo.’"

Afterwards, the volunteers got a chance to distribute chocolate bars, candy, and other treats to the children.

“The older kids would try to repay us for the gifts of candy we gave them by running inside and bringing out a rice cake or some other kind of food," said McCabe.

Abad, whose mother grew up in the neighboring island of Surigao, said, “I’ve participated in many [community service projects] in the past, but this one gave me a different feeling from all the others. It is quite incredible to get the chance to help your home country in a time of disaster. During my nine years in the Navy, I can say without a doubt that this is the highlight and something that I will never forget. The Philippine people were so thankful and appreciative, you could see it in their faces.”

Operating out of Yokosuka, Japan, Curtis Wilbur is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group.