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Mesa Verde Enjoys First Full Liberty Port

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110831-01
8/31/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Josue L. Escobosa, USS Mesa Verde Public Affairs

USS MESA VERDE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) enjoyed a liberty port visit to Taranto, Italy, Aug. 22-26.

This was Mesa Verde's fourth port visit since deploying from her homeport of Norfolk, Va. March 23.

"It was a welcome treat for the crew just being able to go out and enjoy their liberty," said Yeoman 1st Class (SW/AW) Makeba Ramsey, a Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) board member. "It took a lot more coordination on our part to get buses and tours set up for the crew, but in all it's always a good feeling helping out our shipmates feel more at home."

Many crew members chose to participate in tours sponsored by the ship's (MWR) program. The tours included wine tasting at a local vineyard, a visit to see the famous Truli-style houses of Alberobello, and a trip to an amusement park-zoo.

"The tours were awesome," said Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Michael Sency. "My friends and I really enjoyed the amusement park. It was nice to be away from work and recharge for a day."

"The cave tour was the best of all the tours," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) William. "It always kind of feels like all these cities are the same, but the tours take you out to other parts of the town and you get to see what it's really like out here and get a better sense of the culture. It's good that we can enjoy normal metropolitan things like in the downtown area, but my favorite part is getting into the city and seeing what's actually there."

The MWR committee also provided buses to the town and to the local malls to give Sailors and Marines the opportunity to explore Taranto, the third largest city in Italy and the country's largest port city.

"The whole port was a lot of fun," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF) Ricardo Ortiz. "I speak a little bit of Italian and that made things a lot easier getting around. Everyone was really friendly, and the food and drinks were fantastic."

The Mesa Verde deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and is currently conducting operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility.