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Carter Hall Builds Relationships in Croatia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060423-03
Release Date: 4/23/2006 9:00:00 PM

From USS Carter Hall Public Affairs

SPLIT, Croatia (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) visited the city of Split, Croatia, April 11 for one of their last port calls during their six-month deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 8.

The ship moored in the port of Split to enjoy liberty, take on stores, and put a fresh coat of paint on the ship’s sides to prepare for a good homecoming.

The historic city of Split offered Carter Hall Sailors and Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) many activities and attractions. The ship’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Committee offered walking tours of Split, an evening outing to a traditional “village party," and a trip to the city of Dubrovnik three hours south of Split. Many Sailors and Marines set off on their own to explore the open-air markets and merchandise stands along the cobblestone streets tucked between the historic architecture.

“The shopping was amazing,” said Lt. j.g. Nadia Tepper, assigned to Carter Hall. “Everything was reasonably priced and easy to get to, tucked within the walls of the Palace square.”

The Croatian navy played a significant role in the success of the port visit. They organized sporting events, coordinated a crew swap to visit Croatian naval ships, and offered a chance to experience the city from a native’s point of view. The crew swap involved Carter Hall officers and chiefs touring the Croatian naval base and ships, while 20 Croatian naval personnel currently studying English at their language school came aboard Carter Hall for a tour.

“I found the tour very worthwhile. It was interesting to see the difference between the two navies in regards to watchstanding requirements,” said Ensign Dennis Cruz, who participated in the tour of the Croatian naval base. “It’s always a great experience to see what life is like for our counterparts in other countries.”

One of the most rewarding experiences of the port visit was an event with a local orphanage. Carter Hall hosted 20 children from the orphanage for a tour of the ship. Reporters from “Good Morning Croatia” were standing by to capture the children’s tour of Carter Hall. From climbing on tanks to sitting in the captain’s chair, the children were all smiles as Sailors and Marines described the ship and the equipment on it.

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Deewayne Marlowe volunteered to be a tour guide for the children.

“I didn't want them to just look at the ship,” said Marlowe. “I hoped for them to have a great time. The language barrier hardly even mattered. There were definitely a lot of smiles by the end that made it all worthwhile. I think that when they came away from this tour, they saw us not just as Sailors and Marines in uniforms but also as regular people who like to have fun.”

Sailors and Marines purchased ball caps in the ship’s store for the children so that each one of them was able to leave with a memento from their experience on Carter Hall.

In addition to hosting the orphanage, a group of 20 Sailors and Marines, under the supervision of Lt. John McKinney, the Amphibious Squadron 6 chaplain, spent a morning painting the fence at a community elementary school. The participants enjoyed a similarly positive experience interacting with the children.

Carter Hall departed Split and made its way to its final Mediterranean port visit before heading home at the end of a six-month deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group 8.