Patriot Sailors Visit Cambodian Children
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100222-04
Release Date: 2/22/2010 10:32:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Richard Doolin, USS Patriot Public Affairs
SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (NNS) -- Sailors from mine countermeasures ship, USS Patriot (MCM 7), volunteered for a community service project Feb. 20 at Village D'Enfants orphanage in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
The crew brought donations from Project Handclasp and also chipped in their own money to augment the backpacks, mosquito nets and soccer balls for the children.
"We bought enough bags, soccer balls and other items for an additional 40 children," said Chief Electrician's Mate Shareef Assadiq.
The children entertained the Sailors with a show featuring traditional Cambodian dance, song and music. Afterwards, the crew interacted with the children and played soccer, basketball and volleyball.
"Today is a great day, coming here, playing soccer with the children, playing basketball and volleyball," said Lt. j.g. Bradley Feige. They're really, really good at soccer and they definitely showed us a thing or two. Just to see the smiles on their faces was great."
Mineman 3rd Class Jmyle Koretz likes to save his old command ball caps and white "dixie cup" hats for community service projects.
"I've been to community service projects before, and as much as they find use for the things that the Navy brings, these kids will remember someone who brought them an extra baseball cap," said Koretz.
There are 145 boys and girls ranging from age four to 19 at the orphanage.
"This is a really good activity for the orphanage and is very kind of the American Navy to visit them," said the orphanage librarian, Meas Sinan.
Patriot is one of four minesweepers permanently forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. They are led by Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, whose headquarters is based in Okinawa, Japan.
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