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Stethem Supports Nagasaki Orphanage

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060327-16
Release Date: 3/27/2006 8:45:00 PM

By Ensign Grace Rodden, USS Stethem Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors touched by a February visit to the Myojoen Orphanage during USS Stethem’s (DDG 63) port visit to Nagasaki, Japan, continued to reach out to the children there by raising more than $500 to buy the orphanage new sports equipment, March 16.

Stethem made a routine port visit to Nagasaki Feb. 10-12 and visited the orphanage Feb.11. While there, Sailors and the children played games together, including tug-of-war, a relay race, “cops and robbers,” and baseball.

From that visit, the Sailors were inspired to maintain a continuing relationship with the children of Myojogen, despite the separation and distance between Yokosuka and Nagasaki.

Sonar Technician 1st Class (SW) Benjamin Gilbert and Sonar Technician 2nd Class Joseph Whalen organized the March collection. The fund drive brought back wonderful memories of the enjoyable day, while allowing Sailors to continue to return something to the Nagasaki community for their warm reception and hospitality during Stethem’s visit.

“It felt really good to be doing something again to help the children,“ said Gilbert, “With everyone’s generous donations we were able to fulfill our goal of buying enough sporting goods to make the kids happy.”

Sailors took turns collecting donations on the mess decks during lunch for a week. With the money raised, Stethem was able to give basketballs, soccer balls, kick-balls, volleyballs, a football, baseballs, baseball bats, children’s baseball gloves, a batting helmet, a basketball net, and two ball pumps to the orphanage.

Many Sailors were eager to donate, especially those who participated in the community service project and share a close connection with the children. Several continue to communicate with the children via email.

“The friendship with the kids was what gave me the idea. I wish I could see the looks on the kids’ faces when they open the box full of new sporting goods,” said Whalen.

Stethem is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and operates out of Yokosuka, Japan.