Bataan, 22nd MEU Lend Helping Hand in Palma
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090601-03
Release Date: 6/1/2009 9:35:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Stephen Oleksiak, USS Bataan Public Affairs
PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain (NNS) -- USS Bataan (LHD 5) Sailors and embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) took time out from one of the most coveted liberty ports in the Mediterranean May 29 to give back to their hosts during a community relations event in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Members of the "Blue/Green Team" spent the day at the Asociación Síndrome de Down de Baleares (ASNIMO), an organization dedicated to persons with Down syndrome. They volunteered to assist residents and refurbish the area surrounding the center.
"My cousin has Down syndrome, so it hits home," said Lt. Brain K. Haack, 22nd MEU medical planner. "When I saw him he always had a smile on his face. He always had a hug for you, and he was always happy. I saw the same qualities here at this school in Spain. It reminds me how similar we are even though our language and cultures might be different."
Some participants said the biggest project of the day was painting and refurbishing the association's greenhouse, cared for by the staff and occupants.
"It's always a rewarding experience to see the look on the faces of those we help out during our visits," said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jessica Pine, one of the day's volunteers. "I look forward to the next time I'm able to lend a hand to our friends around the world."
The ASNIMO community outreach project was the first of many for Bataan as she continues a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations in the 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Operation.
Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships, was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997 and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name.
For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.
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