Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Zhiwei Tan | 150417-N-LG762-125 NEW ORLEANS (April 24, 2015) Sailors from Arleigh Burke-class...... read more read more
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NEW ORLEANS - Approximately 65 Sailors helped build houses April 24 with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity as part of a community relations (COMREL) project during Navy Week New Orleans (NOLA), a weeklong celebration and collaboration with the community.
The Sailors came from the U.S. Navy ships participating in NOLA: The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95).
Sailors helped build floor systems and stairs for sites as part of a larger project later in May called “Rebuilding America Street,” which aims to build 10 homes in 10 days in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International's AmeriCorps Build-A-Thon.
“This neighborhood is still rebuilding post-Hurricane Katrina. This neighborhood is getting a big facelift in these next couple of weeks,” said Avery Strada, director of volunteer services with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. “So it is important for volunteers to be out here, and we are very grateful for them.”
The project aligns with the 10th anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which devastated the city and community of New Orleans.
According to a press release from New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, the project is intended to “honor the loss and grief the storms brought to the city while sending a message of hope and resilience” and recognizing the city’s rebuilding and recovery through community.
“It’s about showing to the community that the Navy cares about contributing,” said U.S. Navy chaplain Lt. Jonathan Maruszewski. “Letting folks know that we are there for the defense of the nation, but we are also there to make sure that the community is able to rebuild and provide for those who are less fortunate.”
Though participation in the event was voluntary, representation from each ship was strong.
“Some of these guys could have taken the day off, but now they are here spending six or seven hours swinging a hammer or using a shovel, getting dirty and sweaty; proving that they care about the New Orleans community,” said Maruszewski.
COMRELS are opportunities for Sailors to get involved in the local community and communicate more about the military on a personal level.
“It shows the other side of the military, which is kindness,” said Aviation Support Equipment 1st Class Geovanni Flores, with Wasp. “It shows that we are capable of being that force for the great and for the good and to give back to the community.”
Working alongside the Sailors, Marines from the local Marine Corps Forces and a soldier from the Army National Guard Reserve also participated.
“To see things like this happening here is amazing,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jo-Ann Tsuhako, with the Army National Guard Reserve. “The Marines are here, the Navy is here and the Army is here; we are all working as a joint mission to get this community back to its feet.”
The weeklong celebration is an opportunity for the citizens of New Orleans and the surrounding area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.
For more information, visit: http://nolanavyweek.com or https://www.facebook.com/NolaNavyWeek.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2015 18:09 |
| Story ID: | 161282 |
| Location: | NEW ORLEANS, LA, US |
| Web Views: | 342 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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