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Crommelin Loads Project Handclasp Goods to Deliver to Latin America

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080221-02
Release Date: 2/21/2008 7:14:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Crommelin (FFG 37) Sailors unloaded a pallet of Project Handclasp toys and medical supplies on the pier and brought the items on board their ship Feb. 8 for distribution during their deployment to Latin America.

Crommelin, homeported in Pearl Harbor, stopped in Mayport to pick up the supplies with plans to deliver them to Cartagena, Colombia.

"Crommelin typifies what we're trying to do with Project Handclasp material here at U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)," said Cmdr. Lewis Preddy, NAVSO's Project Handclasp coordinator. "The ship, homeported in Pearl Harbor, loaded some material in San Diego, then loaded some more while it was here in Mayport for regularly scheduled maintenance. Since Project Handclasp was able to help us set up a Mayport Depot, we're able to get even more donated cargo on ships headed back to our AOR [area of responsibility]."

Project Handclasp is a collection of donations including medical supplies, hygiene items and toys, which will be distributed by U.S. military assets during various community relations projects throughout Latin America.

"It's terrific that Crommelin, along with its (counter narco terrorism) operations, is doing its part to help less fortunate people in other countries," said Ensign Joseph Monalato, Crommelin's Project Handclasp coordinator. "Things like these gives people around the world a better sense of appreciation and understanding of what the U.S. Navy, and ultimately what the United States, is all about."

Commander, Task Force 43 stores Project Handclasp supplies in a warehouse in Mayport, so they can be loaded onto ships for delivery during deployments to Latin America.

"The goal of all ships headed to our AOR is to have them loaded up with Project Handclasp Material, so when those ships/Sailors make port calls, they can do good works, which build trust and friendship," said Preddy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cusns/.