Kearsarge sailors complete COMRELs while in Cyprus

USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA

04.08.2013

Courtesy Story

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas Henderson
USS Kearsarge

USS KEARSARGE - Sailors and Marines from the Amphibious Assault ship USS Kearsarge LHD 3 gave some of their liberty time while in port in Limassol, Cyprus to participate in two Community Relation projects. The projects were organized by the Command Religious Ministries Department.

Hospitalman Aysha Barber of Fleet Surgical Team 2, attached to the Kearsarge, is on her first deployment and gave her service to the Theotokos Foundation, a school for children with special needs. While there, she had the opportunity to help clean up around the building, and assisted with preparing gifts for those who helped out.

“It’s a beautiful and great foundation,” said Barber. “Their situation is sad but it is great that they have an organization to look after them.”

As a global force for good, the Navy participates in similar COMRELs around the world, and Limassol was no different. Sailors and Marines from Kearsarge joined together to feed the hungry at a local soup kitchen, and clean for the disabled.

“It’s a great privilege to be here, and to help out,” said Lt. Cmdr. (Chaplain) Ulysses Ubalde, the event organizer. “Especially for the people, and learn some culture.”
Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Pedro Jemmott was one of more than 40 volunteers from the ship.

“I would most definitely do another COMREL,” he said. “I enjoyed the experience.”

Kearsarge is deployed as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with embarked Marines from the 26th MEU, which is on a schedule deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 04.08.2013
• Date Posted: 04.08.2013 16:25
• Story ID: 104817
• Location: USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA