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Blue Ridge Visits Malaysia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070312-09
Release Date: 3/12/2007 5:07:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bradley, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

PORT KLANG, Malaysia (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet Staff Sailors and Marines enjoyed a four-day port visit to Port Klang, Malaysia, on March 1-5.

During the visit they enjoyed several opportunities to experience the local culture and hospitality of Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital.

Several Sailors took advantage of the wide variety of shopping and unique dining experiences in the city of 1.4 million people.

“The food here is really amazing and different,” said Marine Lance Cpl. Marino Peradotto. “The dishes here have a unique spice that adds a lot to the overall flavor of the food.”

Seaman Villy Karboff enjoyed sightseeing and shopping, which is very big in this cosmopolitan city.

“My hotel room was right next to Petronas Towers,” said Karboff. “My room gave me an amazing view of this world famous landmark.”

Blue Ridge’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department provided several tours to help Sailors get a taste of all that Malaysia has to offer. One tour provided a chance for Sailors to explore the Batu Caves. These caves are world famous and one of the caves houses a Hindu shrine. Another tour gave Sailors a chance to explore the city’s sight-seeing and shopping hubs, including several stops at picturesque points.

While not spending their liberty time exploring Kuala Lumpur, several Sailors volunteered their time to help others by painting and tidying up Tasputra Perkim, a Muslim-run day care facility for special needs children.

Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW) Natasha Johnson was part of the painting team and she signed up for the project to support the ship’s E-5 Leadership Support Organization (5LSO), who spearheaded the event.

“I enjoy volunteering my time to help other people out,” said Johnson as she rolled fresh coats of paint on the wall. “I used to do Meals on Wheels and beach clean-up projects at my last command. Projects like these humble me and make me realize how blessed and fortunate I am.”

Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Eric Cason was another 5LSO member who also worked on the paint team. Cason said this is his ninth community service project and he plans to do many more.

“I like to give back to the communities to show them that we are appreciative for allowing us to be guests in their country,” said Cason. “I think it’s also a great opportunity for us to be good ambassadors while in host nations.”

The day was hot and the work was hard but the Sailors involved in the day care center beautification project took time between brush strokes and weed-pulling to spend time with the children.

The highlight of the day came when a handful of members from the U.S. 7th Fleet Band made a surprise visit to give the kids a private concert. As the band played, Sailors and kids danced in the freshly cut grass and enjoyed the fruits of their labor. To sweeten the afternoon for the children, goody bags were handed out as they relaxed and enjoyed the live music performance.

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Jeff Bartkoski and serves under commander Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for commander U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.