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Crack! Snap! Pop! Beep! The chorus of bamboo shoots being sawed down and falling to the earth mixed with auditory warnings from backing mechanical vehicles early in the morning at Norfolk Zoo. Sweat-covered Sailors dragged the chopped bamboo through dust-filled air as the sun’s rays shined through openings in shadows cast from branches overhead.
Sailors, all of whom are stationed at the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), arrived early Wednesday morning to volunteer their time and labor to assist in cleaning different areas of the zoo before opening for customers to come and visit the exotic animals inhabiting the exhibit.
Sailors instructed one another on how to use the pole-saw and other various tools needed to complete the task at hand. Guiding each other, the Sailors found their rhythm and within a few minutes had a steady supply of bamboo being hauled away to be disposed of.
“This is my third time volunteering here at the zoo with the Navy,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Michelle Portleskuehn, a Sailor aboard George Washington. “This isn’t my first time cutting bamboo down. I really enjoy the work we do here. It’s calm and relaxing and a good change of pace from the work I normally do.”
Calls from exotic birds fill the air. Portleskuehn’s eyes lit up at the sounds.
“I like seeing all the different animals,” said Portleskuehn. “After working for a few hours in the morning, we are allowed to walk around the zoo and visit all the different habitats.”
Leaving the bamboo-ridden structure, a sidewalk winds its way through the zoo, where two other Sailors were weeding grass and using gas air-blowers to clear the sidewalk of debris.
“This is my first time pulling weeds at the zoo,” said Aviation Aerographer’s Mate 2nd Class Edward Ooms, a Sailor aboard George Washington. “There is a lot of self-satisfaction coming here and helping the community in any way I can. I love being outside and seeing the animals. Being off the ship and doing a different type of work from what I normally do is a breath of fresh air.”
As Ooms blew dirt and sticks off the sidewalk, another Sailor a few feet away was raking pulled weeds and leaves into a pile to be thrown into a trash can.
“This is a good way to get off the ship and help others out,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Skyler Goldsby. “Us coming out here and volunteering gives the Navy a good look for the public. They see us helping out in our free time and you can tell that our help is really appreciated.”
There are several of volunteer opportunities available for Sailors to participate in to better the community. From local SPCA facilities, to Ronald MacDonald Foundations, the options are there for those willing to help and make a difference in the lives of people and animals alike.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.25.2017 15:05 |
| Story ID: | 246021 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sailors Tame Norfolk Zoo, by Joshua DuFrane, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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