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USS De Wert Visits Roatan, Honduras

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080611-17
Release Date: 6/11/2008 2:14:00 PM

By Lt. j.g. Ashley Wyckoff, USS De Wert Public Affairs

ROATAN, Honduras (NNS) -- Twenty-five Sailors from USS De Wert (FFG 45) participated in a community relations project May 28, in a local public hospital while in port in Roatan.

De Wert anchored off the coast of Roatan, May 27, while deployed for counter-illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

Sailors painted the entryway and two wings of the hospital, one of only two clinic-sized medical facilities on the island. In addition to the local physicians and healthcare professionals, the hospital is also supported by the non-governmental organization Global Healing. Hospital Director Lastenia Cruz presented certificates of appreciation to the volunteers in recognition of their efforts.

While their shipmates participated in the community relations event, other crew members hosted tours of the ship for nearly 100 children from local Roatan schools. The 5th and 6th grade children followed their tour guides. The children were especially interested in the ship's pilot house, and were reluctant to leave at the end of the tour.

On the evening of May 28, Cmdr. Jim Kirk, De Wert's commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Herman Pfaeffle, De Wert's executive officer, and several officers and chief petty officers attended a dinner at a local restaurant Gio's, hosted by Roatan Mayor Dale Jackson and his family. The officers and chief petty officers ate and mingled with local Roatan residents. Kirk ended the evening by presenting a picture of De Wert to the restaurant owner, on behalf of the officers and crew for his kindness.

On May 29, De Wert hosted senior leaders of the Honduran military, distinguished members of the local and national government, and members of the U.S. Embassy staff. In attendance was Vice Minister of Defense, Adolfo Lionel Sevilla, Vice Chairman of Defense Brig. Gen. B. G. Cervantes, and Commander of the Honduran Navy, Capt. Juan Pablo Rodriguez. The guests were given a tour of De Wert and enjoyed a small reception on the mess decks.

The visit provided an opportunity to continue discussions on present and future opportunities for partnership between the U.S. and Honduran military in areas of shared interests.

Also on May 29, De Wert Sailors helped transport four pallets containing over 1,000 pounds of donated goods from the ship to the pier as a part of Project Handclasp. Project Handclasp is a U.S. Navy program which coordinates the transportation and delivery of hygienic and educational material to needy participants throughout the world. Medical supplies and recreational equipment were donated by the United States via De Wert to the public hospital and several local clinics to support their care of the people of Roatan.

De Wert, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is currently deployed in Latin America under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations and supporting the U.S. Maritime Strategy by conducting Theater Security Cooperation events, such as community relations projects and Project Handclasp, in the Caribbean and Latin America.

For more information from USS De Wert, visit www.dewert.navy.mil.

For more information from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.cusns.navy.mil.

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