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Guatemalan Vice President Visits Boxer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080516-22
Release Date: 5/16/2008 4:37:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Jackson, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- Guatemalan Vice President, Dr. Jose Rafael Espada, visited USS Boxer (LHD 4), May 13, to tour the medical facilities with the ship's health care providers in support of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP is a collaborative effort between U.S. military services, non-governmental organizations and partner-nation support organizations so that strong partnerships are in place and can be called upon in the event of a regional situation that requires cooperative solutions.

"This is great for me to see Boxer's medical facilities and greet several of my countrymen receiving medical care aboard the ship," said Espada. "This visit grants me the chance to express my thanks to the U.S. for their continued partnership."

"I enjoyed showing Vice President, Dr. Espada what Boxer medical and dental have accomplished in our facilities and what we are capable of doing," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW) Stephen Richardson. "It's rewarding that our nations are able to work together to better the lives of people with a need for critical care capabilities, which we have aboard Boxer."

Espada met Guatemalan medical patients along with their health care providers aboard Boxer.

"It was an honor to have someone of such high stature come aboard and take an interest in what we're doing," said Lt. Cmdr. Michelle French, a nurse assigned to Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, embarked aboard Boxer. "It's inspiring to see someone with a medical background achieve the second-highest position in Guatemala's government."

Espada and his staff toured the medical spaces aboard Boxer followed by a social lunch with several of Boxer's CP mission leaders prior to departing.

"The message Guatemala and the U.S. send is that anything is possible if we work together for the common good of all," added Richardson. "I believe everyone involved will bring a brighter outlook on what lies ahead for us and a greater appreciation for each other."

Visits like Espada's provide shared access to medical experience, information and treatment which support common medical needs in the region.

Prior to being appointed Guatemala's Vice President, Dr. Espada studied medicine in San Carlos University and graduated in 1969. He went to graduate school at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he resided for more than twenty years. He practiced medicine, specializing in heart surgery, in Methodist Hospital of Houston. He also founded a Guatemalan medical organization focused on providing care to low-income heart patients.

Boxer's mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

Embarked units and organizations aboard Boxer for CP include Amphibious Squadron 5, Fleet Surgical Team 5, U.S. Public Health Service, Project Hope, Project Handclasp, Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Special Marine Air Ground Task Force 24, Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron 23, Assault Craft Unit 1, Fleet Survey Team and Beach Master Unit 1.

For more news from USS Boxer, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.