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CARAT Sailors Build Friendships in Thailand

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070626-15
Release Date: 6/26/2007 4:58:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mark Alvarez, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand (NNS) -- Sailors from dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and frigates USS Jarrett (FFG 33) and USS Ford (FFG 54) participated in several community improvement events June 18-23 as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2007.

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.

Sailors traveled throughout the Thai countryside to Ban Chong Samesan School, Choom Chon Wat Suwan Rungsun School and Ban Bueng School in an effort to promote friendship between the local Thai people and the U.S. Navy. During the visits, Sailors delivered donations of food and other supplies to the schools.

Rice was donated to help offset the cost of the free lunch the students receive every day, freeing up some of the school’s money to meet other student needs. The Sailors also donated soccer balls, volleyballs, and basketballs to the school and helped the students break them in.

“Being from an island myself, I feel a certain connection to these kids,” said Harpers Ferry Personnel Specialist 1st Class Paul A. Buchanan, a native of Jamaica. “They really appreciated us coming out here, and it made me feel good to play with the kids and see them having a good time.”

The pleasant attitude of the school children was a common theme noted among volunteer participants. Students of the schools treated their Navy guests like celebrities.

“It was really fun when the kids would crowd around us asking for our autographs,” said Harpers Ferry Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW) Latonya Luter. “This whole experience has been very rewarding to me, and I think we have left these kids with a positive impression of the U.S. Navy.”

This type of community involvement project is one of the main focuses of CARAT. Since the start of CARAT 2007, Harpers Ferry, Ford and Jarrett have participated in six community friendship-building projects in the Philippines and Thailand -- all in conjunction with host country teams.

“Events like these conducted during CARAT not only help to strengthen the bonds between our nations, but evoke memories that will last a lifetime for my Sailors,” said Harpers Ferry Command Master Chief (SW/SS) Darryl L. Brandt. “These are truly one of the most unadvertised benefits of our service.”

In addition to the Philippines and Thailand, other nations participating in CARAT are Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.

Harpers Ferry is the flagship for CARAT 2007 with Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1, Capt. Al Collins, embarked aboard.