Wasp sailors help make home repairs

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew M. Rivard | Lt. Eric Freeman, ship's General Medical Officer on board USS Wasp (LHD 1) removes a screen from the front door of a house during a community relations project in the city of Halandale Beach during Navy Week Port Everglades. Wasp is in Port Everglades April 25-30 for the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration. Overall, there will be about 3,000 sailors and Marines and six ships in attendance. The commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 is a salute to all sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who have served in our nations' conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.  

PORT EVERGLADES, FL, UNITED STATES

04.28.2012

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew M. Rivard 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. – Twelve sailors from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp joined together for a Community Relation Project with volunteers at the Rebuilding Together Broward County organization to help improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners and veterans in the city of Halandale Beach, Fla., April 28.

Sailors worked for more than seven hours making indoor and outdoor home repairs including reinforcing and repairing roofs that had taken termite damage, removing old bath tubs, kitchen cabinets, and sinks in order to replace them with newer and more efficient models, and providing fresh coats of paint to the houses.

“Having the chance to come out and help a community that has so graciously hosted us for Navy Week Port Everglades is an extreme honor and privilege that I couldn’t pass up,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman James Marshall. “Being able to come out for COMRELs and help those less fortunate is one of the best things I get to do.”

Throughout the course of the day Joy Cooper, mayor of Halandale Beach, made multiple visits to assist with the repair work as well as to thank the sailors for all the work they contributed to repairing the houses.

“I am extremely honored to have these sailors here donating their time and service to our community,” said Cooper. “On behalf of the city and the community I would like to thank every single one of our service members for the work they did here.”

Wasp sailors will be in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from April 25-30 celebrating Navy Week and during that time will be participating in a wide range of events consisting of various receptions, community relation projects and inter-ship competitions.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2012
• Date Posted: 04.28.2012 18:23
• Story ID: 87542
• Location: PORT EVERGLADES, FL, US