Submarine Sailors Spruce up Singaporean Center
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081011-06
Release Date: 10/11/2008 11:43:00 AM
From USS Bremerton Public Affairs
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Bremerton (SSN 698) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project Oct. 3 at the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) Training Centre in Singapore.
Bremerton volunteers spent their time at the training center cleaning up rubbish, gardening and trimming overgrown foliage.
"I would like to thank the crew of USS Bremerton for their time in helping us maintain our facilities. We rely heavily on support from all ships from the United States to keep our upkeep costs low in order to spend what money we have on training life skills, job placement, legal advice and providing room and board to the immigrants who come to Singapore," said Fabian Patrick, facility manager of the ACMI Training Centre.
The volunteers removed more than 200 pounds of overgrown foliage, landscaped and completed numerous small repair jobs during the five-hour project.
"It is a privilege to work with Mr. Patrick here at ACMI, knowing that my hard work, and the work of my shipmates will enable immigrants here in Singapore to get a head start in their new life," said Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SS) Joseph Pillen on of the 12 volunteers.
Sailors like Pillen say community service is a way to return the hospitality that has been extended to them during port visits.
USS Bremerton, homeported in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, spent a total of seven days in Singapore while on a Western Pacific Deployment.
"This visit underscores the importance of developing and maintaining our relationship with Singapore. It also gave our crew a great opportunity to give back to the Singapore community who have graciously hosted us over the past week, and we have been very happy to be here," said Cmdr. Howard C. Warner III, commanding officer.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/.
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