Eagle’s crew and cadets help build a school for children in need at St. Maarten

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Swanson | Working with the St. Maarten Chapter of the United States Navy League, more than 40 crew and cadets from Coast Guard Cutter Eagle painted, repaired and cleaned a planned school building property for children in need at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, May 25, 2013. On its cadet summer training deployment, the Eagle arrived in Philipsburg for a port call lasting through the Memorial Day weekend. Their arrival marks the end of the first week underway after departing their New London, Conn., May 11. U.S. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Erik Swanson)  

ALABAMA, UNITED STATES

05.25.2013

Story by Senior Chief Petty Officer Sarah Foster 

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – During Eagle’s first port call in St. Maarten, crew and cadets helped renovate a school building for children in need at Philipsburg Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Working with the St. Maarten Chapter of the United States Navy League, more than 40 crew and cadets painted, repaired and cleaned a planned school building property located on the corner of L.B. Scott Rd. and Red Rose Rd.

“We appreciate the opportunity to help children in need at St. Maarten.” said Capt. Wes Pulver, Commanding Officer of the Cutter Eagle. “Community service projects enrich the deployment experience where the crew and cadets learn to foster a meaningful relationship with the community.”

“We thank the Eagle’s crew for supporting the Navy League- sponsored community service project that help make a difference in children’s lives,” said Jack Stevens, President of the Navy League’s Caribbean and Latin American Region. “The Navy League’s partnership with the Coast Guard and the other sea services helps to strengthen relationships between nations and within the immediate community they serve in.”

On its cadet summer training deployment, the Eagle arrived in Philipsburg Friday for a port call lasting through the Memorial Day weekend. Their arrival marks the end of the first week underway after departing their New London, Conn., May 11.

Eagle has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience. Currently, there are 145 cadets from the Coast Guard Academy embarked. The summer deployment spans 11-weeks, stopping at nine port calls in five countries, with four different groups of cadets training onboard.
At 295 feet, the Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.

For more on Navy League, visit http://www.navyleague.org/.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2013
• Date Posted: 05.31.2013 12:00
• Story ID: 107857
• Location: ALABAMA, US