Nimitz Sailors Help Llamas In Need

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher R Jahnke | SEABECK, Wash. (April 18, 2018) Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Charles Gimiro, from Dubuque, Iowa, and Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jerome Brown, from Adrian, Mich., both assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), take a break to pet a llama during a First Class Petty Officer Association sponsored outing at Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary, April 18, 2018. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Jahnke)  

SEABECK, WA, UNITED STATES

04.18.2018

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher R Jahnke 

USS Nimitz (CVN 68)   

This is the Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary where they rehibilitate neglected, abused and discarded llamas and alpaca for the rest of their lives. Chela Grey, president of Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary, welcomed volunteers from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in a First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) hosted event April 18.

These Nimitz Sailors removed their uniforms and donned hoodies, jeans and boots as they spent the day to help some animals in need.

“The FCPOA is here with Sailors from Nimitz to give back to the community,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Charles Gimiro, from Dubuque, Iowa. “We are making the area safer for these llamas and alpacas in order to assist Stillpointe with their rehibilation effort. The Sailors will be picking up branches and debris, tearing down an old shack and putting in fencing for a new llama pen.”

The Sailors who went to Stillpointe didn’t have an all work, no play day. They interacted and learned about the animals currently residing there.

“I never would’ve thought I would be helping llamas out during my time in the Navy,” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Joshua Garlitz, from Southgate, Michigan. “It’s such a great experience being able to give back to the local area. We made a difference for the animals who live here and helped lighten the load on Chela and those who work at Stillpointe.”

Organizations like the Nimitz FCPOA can be great for Sailors to become engaged with community service. Getting Sailors involved in opportunities like this can help raise morale.

“I was excited to get to work,” said Garlitz. “I saw the llamas, and instantly I wanted to pet one. The coolest thing is they let you interact with the animals, and I was able to walk a llama to its new pen. That really made it a special day, so I would tell other Sailors to get out and volunteer.”

Going out and giving back to the community is one of the ways Nimitz strengthens its ties to the local area.

“The Sailors were a huge help,” said Grey. “The work they did today will mean Stillpointe won’t need to rent out the smaller farm and can save 500 dollars a month. I’m thankful for the Nimitz Sailors for bringing the extra muscle to take care of the more challenging tasks.

Nimitz has been able to get out into the community more often since returning in December from deployment. The FCPOA is focused on getting more Sailors out and volunteering.

“I think its important to get Sailors involved with helping the local area,” said Gimiro. “Our kids go to the same schools, we shop at the same stores and we’re all apart of the community. Nimitz is a vital asset to the area, and we will continue with volunteering efforts.”

As the sun sets on the newly cleaned llama pen, a group of volunteers walk back down the path. The rooster that once crowed is silent, and the sheep rests its head on his bed of hay. One llama walks over to the fence as if to say goodbye to its new friends.

-USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)-

• Date Taken: 04.18.2018
• Date Posted: 04.20.2018 02:02
• Story ID: 273793
• Location: SEABECK, WA, US