NAS ESG Ships Help Souda Bay Community
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080412-03
Release Date: 4/12/2008 5:42:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Rustum Rivera, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
SOUDA BAY, Crete (NNS) -- Sailors from the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group's (NAS ESG) amphibious assault ship, USS Nassau (LHA 4), and amphibious transport dock ship, USS Nashville (LPD 13), participated in community relations projects while in port Naval Support Activity (NSA), Souda Bay, April 9-10.
More than 120 Sailors from both ships were dispersed in three teams accomplishing three different projects: the Chania Senior Citizens Home, building a fence for a local woman and repairs at NSA Souda Bay's Base Chapel.
At the Chania Senior Citizens Home, home to 125 elderly residents, volunteers painted three common areas, the front gate and the fence.
"This project is a good opportunity for me to help the town, and it helps the Navy at the same time," said Nassau volunteer Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Christine Kanakis, who also acted as a translator. "I don't really get the chance to use my language skill; I speak Greek which made this project more fun."
Another group of volunteers helped an elderly widow, who has been assisted by NSA on prior occasions, by putting up a fence and tiling an area where she can turn into a patio garden.
"She was very glad to see us and was very happy with the fence that we put up," said Nassau volunteer, Aerographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Christopher Hanson. "We have the ability and time to help, and we are improving people's perception of the United States in a very positive way."
The biggest project was the base chapel where Sailors assisted in relocating the chapel and its offices to another location on base. The project took a day of preparation and another for painting and moving office furniture, shelves, chairs and more.
"It's a tremendous help; the volunteers did two months worth of work in only two days," said Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Cody Mitts, the chapel's religious program specialist.
The relocation allowed the chapel to expand their services, with a bigger place to worship and adding rooms to accommodate children's Sunday school.
"Being in this building… we will be able to put visuals on the walls," said Melissa Edmonson, a resident of the base who uses the chapel. "We'll be able to have a room dedicated to the children that will be 'their space' where they can go every Sunday and more."
Edmonson showed her appreciation by bringing lunch for the volunteers including Greece's famous pastry, the baklava. "We could've not done it without you [Sailors]; you made it possible and easy for us," she added.
Lt. Edward Bass, Nashville's chaplain, explained the chapel is not just about worship services; it is also about what happens every day of the week: the classes held, Boys and Girls Scout meetings, the different groups that meet in the chapel – it allows the whole community to come together, which is a tremendous strength to Souda Bay.
"It is really a blessing, we [Nassau and Nashville Sailors] came together to help them out, giving our Sailors the chance to serve rather than to be served," said Bass.
Nashville volunteer, Machinist's Mate Fireman James Nilsson expressed that this is the best way to celebrate his first year in the Navy, saying that, "COMREL (community relations) gives us a good name, and I always believe in helping out," said Nilsson.
The base commanding officer, Capt. Thomas McDonough, Jr., and executive officer, Cmdr. Mark Nowicki, came by to look at the new chapel. "The commanding officer was very impressed with what you've done," said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Hicks, one of the base chaplains. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Lt. Cmdr. Michael Gore, Nassau's chaplain, also addressed the volunteers. "We did a tremendous amount of work; yet, we're still leaving them with a tremendous amount of work. They did not build the temple in one day; but because of your help, they will be able to hold their first service in the new chapel on Sunday, April 13."
For more news from Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/esg8/.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
