• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Harpers Ferry Sailors Provide Goodwill in the Southern Philippines

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061030-08
Release Date: 10/30/2006 4:03:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Green, USS Harpers Ferry Public Affairs

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) participated in a community project at the Pasobolong Elementary School here Oct. 26.

In addition to painting classrooms and making minor repairs to playground equipment, the crew of Harpers Ferry delivered cookies, candy, juice and a sewing station for the school’s home economics class.

“We assessed the situation and heard that the school needed some help and arranged for Harpers Ferry to assist us," said Marine Lt. Col. Ronald White, command chaplain of the Joint Special Operations Task Force–Philippines (JOSTF-P). "It gives our guys a chance to interact with the Philippine people; it’s a win for the school and for us.”

White is currently working with Manila residents in an effort to provide the school with new books. He also coordinates assistance from the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) to help with the Reception Study Center for Children, a neighboring orphanage.

Approximately 500 students attend Pasobolong Elementary School. With the joint efforts of various philanthropic organizations’ donations and Philippine-U.S. support, the school will remain open and continue to teach the children of the city Talon, which lies within Palawan, according to White.

Pasobolong principal, Luelda Wee Mabalot, who has worked hard to improve the physical condition of the school for nearly 20 years, is very appreciative of the U.S. military's efforts at her school, especially those of Harpers Ferry, which greatly helped the physical appearance of the school.

“I’m so grateful to the (U.S.) soldiers, Harpers Ferry and America for their continuous support of this school,” she said.

In addition to the renovation work they did on the school, the crew of Harpers Ferry spent some time socializing with the teachers and playing various games, including basketball and jump rope with the children.

“I feel really good that we contributed. The little that we did today will go a long way," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Gregory James Hightower Sr. "It was obvious from looking at the faces of the children that they were excited to see the Sailors helping their school and playing games with them, and every Sailor who attended had nothing but positive comments on the experience."

Harpers Ferry is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) serving under commander, Task Force 76. The ARG is currently in the Philippines participating in bilateral exercises Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise FY 2007 along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.