DESRON 40, Kauffman Brighten Spirits in Nicaragua
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080921-13
Release Date: 9/21/2008 6:37:00 AM
By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd J.T. Bolestridge
BLUEFIELDS, NICARAGUA (NNS) -- Sailors from Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40) and the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59) with embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 42 (HSL-42), Detachment 7 volunteered at El Instituto Nacional Nuevo Amenecer Sept. 17 in El Bluff, Nicaragua.
The community relations (COMREL) project involved 25 DESRON 40, Kauffman and HSL-42 volunteers who painted the exterior of the 3,000-square-foot school. Operations Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Bloomberg, a COMREL volunteer, said it was an enlightening experience.
"When we walked up and started looking at the school, I was amazed. We take it for granted the educational facilities we have in the states," said Bloomberg. "This school had no water or electricity and was being eaten by termites."
In addition to their efforts on the building's exterior, volunteers also replaced the termite-damaged plywood in the interior and repainted a classroom.
"At the end of the day when we had painted the entire outside of the school and replaced the plywood in their classroom, I was proud to be a Sailor in the U.S. Navy," said Bloomberg.
COMREL participant, Lt. Sam Roth, said that in addition to the work he and the other volunteers performed, the added help from the local community made the COMREL a success.
"It was great being out here. Two guys showed up from down the street at one point. They were both very friendly and said they wished they could have helped sooner," said Roth. "Another guy who lived next door to the school let us borrow a ladder, and during lunch we played basketball with the locals. It showed me that not only was our presence welcome but appreciated."
Despite the impact these improvements made to the school, it was the efforts of another volunteer that stole the limelight. Children lined up for hours waiting to meet and get a haircut from Ships Servicemen Seaman (SW) Gabriel Wiesman. More than 40 community members stepped away with a smile and a haircut.
"Out of four years of service, today has been the most rewarding day of my naval career," said Wiesman. "I now know how much of an impact can be made by a few Sailors given the right determination, and the spirit of those we helped today gave us just that."
COMREL coordinator DESRON 40 Chaplain Lt. Joe Molina said the efforts of Sailors like Wiesman speak well of the U.S. Navy as a whole and show the importance of being a volunteer.
"COMRELs represent the best investment the people of the United States can make in building long-term positive, international relations," said Molina. "This COMREL in particular was an exceptional example of the generous spirit of our service members and their desire to make a difference in people's lives."
Capt. Jim Hudson, commanding officer of the DESRON 40 Reserve unit, is one of the 98 selective Reservists who have participated in various phases of Partnership of the Americas 2008 events to provide assistance in executing theater security cooperation events.
"Again, an awesome and commendable effort by the entire COMREL team. Efforts like this exemplify what makes the Unites States stand out and be the best in providing service and hope for the majority of the world," he said.
USS Kauffman and HSL-42 are assigned to Destroyer Squadron 40 (DESRON 40) and are currently deployed in support of Partnership of the Americas 2008 (POA 08), which takes place April-October throughout South America, Central America and the Caribbean. POA 08 emphasizes interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nations' maritime forces through a variety of exercises and events.
For more news from Partnership of the Americas, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns.
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