Pacific Northwest Sailors refurbish Port Orchard Park

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Asato | 150919-N-OO032-074 PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (Sept. 19, 2015) - Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class John Torres, a Port Orchard, Wash., native serving aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), plants Japanese Iris during a mass volunteer project to refurbish Clayton Playground and Community Park. The park is named after Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Michael Joseph Clayton who assisted his shipmates in building the park and died in 1971 during a car wreck while the park was still under construction. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cory Asato/Released)  

WA, UNITED STATES

09.19.2015

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cory Asato 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. — More than 30 Sailors representing Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB), USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), and Naval Base Kitsap and its tenant commands pooled their efforts during a mass volunteer project to refurbish Clayton Playground and Community Park, Sept. 19.

The efforts were coordinated through each respective command’s leadership by Kitsap County’s Veteran's Historical Preservationist and retired Chief Hospital Corpsman Mick Hersey.

“We’re refurbishing the park with new paint and building five new benches,” said Hersey. “In honor of Port Orchard’s 125th anniversary we’re going with a red, white and blue theme.”

Chief Hospital Corpsman Dana Therkildsen, a Sumter, South Carolina, native serving with NHB, initially contacted Hersey, who manages all of the veteran memorials about a plaque at the front of the park noting the park is named after Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Michael Joseph Clayton.

“The park could use some fixing besides the playground which was recently refurbished,” said Therkildsen. “I just happened to notice the plaque and contacted Mick since he always keeps every site in top shape.”

The park was established as the 101st veteran memorial after convening with city leadership according to Hersey.

“This whole thing started with the Navy and became something greater when they etched the memory of their fallen shipmate on that plaque,” said Nick Whittleton, a candidate for Port Orchard City Council. “It’s amazing as usual, to see all of these Sailors give back to their community while remembering their own.”

Contractors donated supplies and built an access ramp for disabled individuals while supervising onsite along-side the city’s mayor.

“The impact here is huge considering small towns are not always afforded a budget for these projects,” said Tim Matthes, Port Orchard mayor. “Everyone here is accomplishing 3 years of work in 3 days, increasing the usability of the park and taking ownership of their community.”

Kitsap County communities experience heavy influence from the Navy due to economic impact and volunteer efforts, which are highly encourage by leadership and driven by its Sailors.

“I’ve lived in Port Orchard for 6 years and highly believe anything anyone can do to beautify their home town is beneficial for all,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class John Torres, a local serving with CVN 74. “These efforts bring people together, reflect positively and provide another avenue to impact future generations.”

Clayton, a Vietnam War veteran, was assisting his shipmates in building the park in 1971 and died in a car wreck at the age of 28 while the park was still under construction. He is buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Florida.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2015
• Date Posted: 09.20.2015 13:25
• Story ID: 176676
• Location: WA, US