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USS Monterey Hosts Reception in St. Kitts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060511-01
Release Date: 5/11/2006 8:43:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Katherine Favell, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

BASSATERRE, St. Kitts (NNS) -- USS Monterey (CG 61) hosted a reception May 2 for more than 20 local distinguished visitors as a gesture of goodwill and gratitude for their hospitality in welcoming the crew to Bassaterre, St. Kitts.

St. Kitts is the second port visit of the “Partnership of Americas” deployment for Monterey. The ship had previously visited Aruba April 12-15.

“It is our privilege and honor for us to visit the beautiful island of St. Kitts,” said Capt. Robert Oldani, Monterey’s commanding officer. “We’re all about engagement and enhancing regional partnership. We are very pleased to see so many of you tonight as a part of that effort.”

Members of Monterey’s crew were aboard to answer guests’ questions regarding life on a naval vessel and to learn more about St. Kitts and Nevis’ culture. Guests and crew alike enjoyed the tropical St. Kitts sunset, food and music, while mingling on Monterey’s flight deck and in the helicopter hangar.

The event lasted two hours and concluded with a presentation of gifts from Oldani to the St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Denzel Douglas, as well as other dignitaries. Oldani named them honorary crewmembers and presented them with signed pictures of the ship, a plaque with the ship’s crest and an official Monterey baseball cap.

Douglas extended remarks of welcome to Monterey Sailors on behalf of the St. Kitts and Nevis government and people.

“I believe this is another testimony of the very strong bond of friendship that exists between the United States government and the government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Douglas said. “We’ve engaged in many exchanges of friendship in the past, but to have you here again on this very special occasion, it’s a very big treat for us.”

The prime minister also spoke of the partnership strengthened during port visits and joint training exercises.

“We are a people who love our freedom, who can boast of our very strong ties to democracy,” Douglas said. “I believe that your exchanges with our people during your stay will serve to cement that relationship and continue to send a very strong signal to your own country that we cherish the relationship that we have.”

During their visit to St. Kitts, Monterey Sailors also played a soccer match against a combined St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force and police department team, and enjoyed sightseeing, relaxation and community relations projects.

“Partnership of the Americas” is a maritime training and readiness deployment of U.S. naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, in support of U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security.

Monterey deployed April 4 as part of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group and expects to return to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., later this spring.