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Underwood Sailors Volunteer at Trinidad Orphanage

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060522-15
Release Date: 5/22/2006 12:45:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Charles A. Ordoqui, USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs

PORT OF PRINCE, Trinidad (NNS) -- USS Underwood (FFG 36) Sailors helped paint all the exterior and interior walls of St. Dominick’s Orphanage in Port of Prince, Trinidad, May 18, during a scheduled "Partnership of the Americas" community relations project.

"It is a very important part of our mission to help our neighbors here in Central and South America," said Cmdr. Roderick Fraser, commanding officer of Underwood. “Not only did the crew volunteer to paint the orphanage, but they were also able to use their Navy in-rate skills to make improvements. Our information systems technicians brought St. Dominick’s only computer back to the ship and repaired it, and the hull technicians repaired numerous plumbing problems and fixed their shower room.”

“Additionally, the television in their TV lounge did not work, and the wardroom and CPO mess purchased them a new TV,” said Fraser.

More than 30 Underwood Sailors painted the walls of the orphanage, which is a dwelling place for more than 40 children.

"It was a very emotional and rewarding experience for me," said Damage Controlman Fireman David Gallagher. "I never thought that completing a task so simple could mean so much to so many.”

Sailors painted all the exterior walls of the orphanage, including the bar windows.

"It makes me feel proud that I could actually make a difference in another country,” said Hull Technician 1st Class (SW) Eric Boehringer. “I will never forget how great it felt to make a change in the children’s lives.”

When the day was through, and more than 40 gallons of paint were empty, the Sailors headed back to ship, knowing that they completed a task that had been long awaited since April of 2005.

"I was so overwhelmed to be a part of something that’s so much bigger than me,” said Hull Technician 2nd Class Brannon Woodland. “They’ve been waiting for the ability to paint the building for more than a year now, and we completed it for them.”

Underwood’s community relations team has put forth many hours of community service in many countries during their “Partnership of the Americas” mission.

“Before each port visit, the crew asked if there would be a community relations project they can volunteer for,” said Fraser. “They really look forward to helping people, and I think that sets a great example for others to emulate. I am very proud of the overwhelming volunteerism that my crew embraces.”

During “Partnership of the Americas,” Underwood Sailors have logged more than 675 man-hours in three different countries.

Underwood is operating in the Caribbean Sea as part of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) conducting “Partnership of the Americas,” a training and readiness deployment of U.S. naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America.

The U.S. Southern Command-sponsored deployment is designed to enhance regional maritime security and strengthen ties through operations and exercises with Caribbean and Latin American partner nations.

Underwood and the other GWCSG assets, George Washington, USS Monterey (CG 61) and USS Stout (DDG 55), operated with various forces while focusing on unconventional threats such as narco-terrorism and human trafficking.

Underwood is scheduled to return to her homeport in Mayport, Fla., sometime next week.