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Blue Ridge Pulls into Hong Kong

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100324-06
Release Date: 3/24/2010 12:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josh Huebner, USS Blue Ridge Public Affairs

HONG KONG (NNS) -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) will anchor in Victoria Harbour March 25, beginning the crew's five-day port visit in Hong Kong.

Blue Ridge Sailors will get the opportunity to experience Hong Kong through a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation tours. Sailors will see the cultural sites of Po Lin Monastery and the nearby Tian Tan Buddha; the world's tallest seated Buddha statue, as well as popular tourist attractions Happy Valley race course and the nearby city of Macau.

Sailors will enjoy the hospitality of the locals as they venture out into the international city with community sponsors through the "Meals in the Home" program coordinated through the ship's chaplain.

Several local families and businesses have offered to host Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet Sailors for lunch or dinner during their stay to show their support for U.S. military service members overseas.

"I've been to Hong Kong six times and this is the first time I've had a chance to have a meal in a home," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Rutland of Wheaton, Ill. "I think it fosters good relations with the locals and it gives Sailors a chance to meet people and see things they normally wouldn't on their own."

Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet Sailors will also get to work in Hong Kong through three community outreach projects to strengthen established ties and create new friendships.

"These projects permit our Sailors to interact with the community, allowing them to get to know the people and their culture," said Capt. S. R. Lupton, commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge.

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. S. R. Lupton and serves under commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.