• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Monterey Spreads Spirit of Giving in St. Kitts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060512-10
5/12/2006

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

ST. KITTS, Basseterre (NNS) -- More than 30 USS Monterey (CG 61) Sailors worked at St. Christopher’s Children’s Home and Ades Place painting, refurbishing and interacting with the children during community relations (COMREL) projects, May 3.

Monterey visited St. Kitts May 2-4 for their second scheduled port visit of “Partnership of the Americas,” a deployment designed to enhance regional maritime security and strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations.

The COMREL was seen as an opportunity to spread the spirit of charity and goodwill to some of the less fortunate of St. Kitts.

“This was an amazing effort on the part of Monterey Sailors,” said Cmdr. Peter Kilfoyle, chief, U.S. Military Liaison Office, Eastern Caribbean. “Their work here had such a positive impact in St. Kitts and showed just how dedicated these Sailors are to making these people’s lives better.”

St. Christopher’s Children’s Home provides food, shelter and emotional support for more than a dozen disadvantaged children, ages six to 17. The children reside at St. Christopher’s by court order, while their families struggle to overcome histories of poverty or dysfunction.

The staff expressed their thanks for Monterey’s hard work and support.

“This is the first time we’ve had U.S. Navy Sailors volunteer here, and I’m very impressed with how hard they work to help,” said State Department Representative Julie O'Reagan. “We hope that they come back again in the future.”

At the second project site, Ades Place, Monterey Sailors were able to spend time both repairing facilities and interacting with the children and workers. Ades Place is a learning center for developmentally disabled children and is run primarily by Peace Corps workers.

“I think it’s amazing that these Sailors make the time to come here and do the work that they do,” said Megan Hawks, the site supervisor. “The kids loved meeting and talking with them, and it really shows how much these Sailors care.”

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Stacy Mosier checked aboard as a crew member in St. Kitts and said participating in the COMREL was a great introduction to her fellow Sailors.

“This is my first ship, and I was struck by how many Sailors volunteered for the COMREL and how enthusiastic they were,” Mosier said. “What a great way to start my sea time!”

During “Partnership of the Americas,” Monterey has conducted unit-level training, participated in community relations projects and engaged in counter-narco-terrorism operations.

Monterey plans to continue community relations efforts at every opportunity throughout their upcoming deployments and expects to return to her homeport in Norfolk, Va., later this spring.