Sailors, Coast Guardsmen Build Friendships in Indonesia
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060717-07
Release Date: 7/17/2006 3:25:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Brannon, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs, and Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Melinda Larson, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs
SURABAYA, Indonesia (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and high endurance cutter USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720) watched children’s faces light up at an Indonesian orphanage July 13 as a delivery of gifts from the U.S. Navy was unveiled during the Indonesia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).
In all, the donations to the orphanage included 20 bicycles, helmets, four rice cookers, eating utensils, cooking supplies, tires, pumps and beds.
Djoko Suhendro, a retired member of the Indonesian Naval Air Arm currently working with the Division of Education, said the children of the Panti Asuhan Lakasamana Moeljadi orphanage would benefit from the gifts, especially the new bicycles.
“The bicycles are very useful to the orphans to go to school every day, because the distance is from two to five kilometers for the different schools,” Suhendro said. “We very much appreciate the gifts.”
The 30 children currently enrolled at the orphanage are sons and daughters of Indonesian navy Sailors who died in the line of duty, from sickness or accidents. The children stay at the orphanage through high school, at which point officials will help them find jobs.
In addition to meeting the children, Sailors from Crommelin and Sherman received a tour of the orphanage and heard an impromptu guitar and vocal performance.
This was the third community service project by the U.S. Sailors over the previous two days, during which more than 100 U.S. and Indonesian navy personnel interacted with children and delivered eight pallets of toys, medical and school supplies from Project Handclasp, and appliances and sports equipment to the Panti Asuhan “Don Bosco” and Al Amal orphanages, as well.
“It’s people helping people,” said Lt. Alfred Pena, Destroyer Squadron 1 chaplain who oversaw the visits. “These projects help us identify with each other, and it creates a lot of mutual understanding while helping to foster efficient cooperation.”
CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. Indonesia is the third phase of the summer-long exercise series.
“I’m so pleased to see the relationship between the two navies,” said Sister Tarsisia, director of the Don Bosco Orphanage. “It looks like there is some friendship here. I hope all the nations do this for peace in the universe.”
The Navy and Coast Guard volunteers seemed to find peace on the playground as they played chase, gave piggyback rides and kicked around soccer balls with some of the 92 kids who live at the orphanage.
“It was good practice to play with the kids for when I get home and can see my 22-month old again,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Romulo Veroza, a Crommelin crewman who last saw his son in April when the ship left its homeport of Pearl Harbor. “It was good for me emotionally and spiritually because it gave me a chance to pray here, too.”
Although the kids were shy at first, it did not take them long to warm up to the energy of the volunteers who were eager to play. Being around each other seemed to be a good recipe for fun.
“The kids seemed especially happy. Interacting with children meets the needs of Sailors who miss their kids. For the kids, it’s good for them to have positive interaction with adults,” Pena noted.
The enhancement of regional cooperation, promotion of understanding between participating military forces and the continuing development of their operational readiness are the primary goals of CARAT. Capt. Al Collins, commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, leads the CARAT task group which is in Indonesia for the third phase of the six-phase exercise series.
For more on CARAT, visit www.clwp.navy.mil/carat2006.
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