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Essex in Pattaya for Port Visit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090219-04
Release Date: 2/19/2009 5:42:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson

PATTAYA, Thailand (NNS) -- Forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Pattaya, Thailand Feb. 19 for a scheduled port visit.

During the visit, Essex Sailors will have an opportunity to experience Thailand's rich culture and participate in a community relations project at the Ban Bang Lamnung Boys Home.

"Thailand is one of the crew's favorite ports to visit," said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex commanding officer. "Our Sailors are looking forward to the opportunity to experience the country's truly unique culture and to interact with the local community during a community relation project."

More than 80 Sailors have volunteered for the project, which will include electrical repair work, cleaning and painting. Sailors will also provide food and five pallets of clothes from the U.S. Fleet Activities, Sasebo, Japan, Thrifty Treasures thrift store.

Essex Sailors routinely participate in community projects during port visits in countries throughout the Pacific, a practice that Essex Chaplain, Cmdr. Chin Dang, described as essential to the ship's overall mission of promoting peace and stability throughout the region.

"I think the really important thing is feeding hungry children," said Dang. "Twenty years from now they won't remember the building, but to sit down and have a good meal with the Sailors is something positive for them to remember. It's a great opportunity for us to reach out and do something significant."

Many Essex Sailors share Dang's enthusiasm for spreading good will throughout Asia.

"These projects are a rewarding experience because it really puts things into perspective," said Ship's Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Wendy Howard. "It makes you realize what you have and what you take for granted on a daily basis. It's a good feeling to be able to give a little bit of that to someone else that doesn't have what you do." This is Howard's second community relations project since reporting to Essex in last year.

The port visit will also provide Sailors an opportunity to enjoy their first port visit since departing Sasebo for spring patrol. Dozens of Sailors have made tour reservations through the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation department, which is offering 13 different tours, allowing Sailors to experience everything from elephant riding expeditions to Buddhist temples.

"We try to give our Sailors a wide variety of recreational options and our tours have always been very popular," said Essex Afloat Recreation Specialist Mick Hultz. "Our goal is to get them out there and experience the countries we visit in an exciting and safe environment."

The visit to Thailand is a first for many Essex Sailors.

"I've never ridden an elephant before," said Damage Controlman Fireman Shawnakay Facey.

"I'm also really looking forward to learning more about the culture and just having an opportunity to relax for a few days." Facey explained she made reservations in advance to ensure a spot on the elephant-riding tour.

The visit comes at the end of exercise Cobra Gold 2009, an annual Kingdom of Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Pacific nation forces.

Essex is commanded by Capt. Brent Canady and is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. Expeditionary Strike Group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For more news from USS Essex (LHD 2), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd2/.