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Essex' COMREL Commitment Continues in Thailand

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060604-04
6/4/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jhoan Manuel Montolio, USS Essex Public Affairs

PATTAYA BEACH, Thailand (NNS) -- Forty-three Sailors from USS Essex (LHD 2) took some time out to volunteer and visit the Phirat Witthika 14 School during a port visit May 26 to Pattaya Beach, Thailand.

At the community relations project (COMREL), hosted by the Rotary Club of Taksin - Pattaya, Essex Sailors delivered to the school boxes of donated clothing from the ship’s Sailors, Marines and their families.

The volunteers also helped with painting the brick wall outside the school, which extends more than 30 yards.

“We were split up into two groups. The first group of us went to go paint outside the front gate, and the second half went to watch the kids put on multiple dance shows for us,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW/AW) Varin Nasongkhla. “It was a lot of fun. After they were done dancing for us, we all got together and played some soccer and volleyball.”

Nasongkhla’s positive thoughts of the day were shared by other Essex Sailors.

“The people and children here were really happy to see us there and were overjoyed with the assistance we provided,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Dexter O. Gemal.

Nasongkhla noted that the project allowed the people of Thailand to get to know U.S. Sailors on a more personal level.

“This COMREL was a great way for the Thailand people to see how Americans are. We try to go out there and help everybody in each and every country that we go to,” said Nasongkhla.

Sailors spent plenty of time with the children at the school and enjoyed all kinds of games, like tag, racing, volleyball and soccer.

“I really enjoyed the time we spent visiting the school and eating the homemade foreign food,” said Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christian L. Lemus. “I really am looking forward to getting another chance to participate in another COMREL.”

Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship out of Sasebo, Japan, and is the flagship for the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group.