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Tortuga visits Philippine Elementary School

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071023-11
Release Date: 10/23/2007 6:42:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon A. Myrick, USS Tortuga Public Affairs

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46) brought smiles to students of a local elementary school during the ship’s visit to Subic Bay while underway conducting Exercise Talon Vision and Phiblex 2008, Oct. 16.

Fifty Sailors on board Tortuga volunteered their day to spend some valuable time painting and passing out gifts, candy and playing games with the children at Gordon Heights Elementary School. The exchanges brought friendly conversation and visible happiness to the children.

“This [community relations project] speaks volumes for the Sailors on board Tortuga and what it meant for the children during the visit,” said Community Relations Coordinator, Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Earnest C. Pippen. “Everyone had a good time, from the Sailors to the students; this was truly a great [community relations event]!”

The day started with a presentation put on by the students that included singing and dancing showcasing the Philippine heritage. Later in the day, the Sailors prepped and painted the schoolhouse and fences, followed by a meet and greet with the Sailors and students. Tortuga Sailors gave away gifts and fruit as a token of appreciation for their visit.

“My favorite part was getting to interact with the children and making them smile,” said Engineman Fireman Ferrell W. Conner. “I knew this would be a great chance for me to visit with children and make a few good memories for them.”

Tortuga painted just about the entire school and has set up a future return date to finish the job as well as take on any further projects needed to help the school be a better place for the students.

“I am impressed that the students reacted to the Sailors as well as they did,” said Principal of Gordon Heights, Josephine A. Lising. “The children are not used to having this kind of attention and now can't wait until the Sailors of Tortuga return.”

Tortuga’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Todd A. Lewis, who attended the event, was pleased to see that the visit succeeded in bringing happiness to the students at the school.

“This community service effort went phenomenally well,” said Lewis. “Events like this are great, because there is positive interaction between Team Tortuga and the local community.”

Talon Vision and Phiblex 2008 are training exercises and will run concurrently Oct. 15-31, and will partner 2,700 U.S. and 1,300 Philippine military personnel for two weeks of training emphasizing the importance of U.S. military forces from Japan in supporting the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Tortuga is a dock landing ship serving under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. ESG 7/Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.