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AUGUSTA BAY, Italy – Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and embarked Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in two community relations projects, while the ship visited Augusta Bay, Italy, Oct. 3, 2018.
The projects were located in two different areas throughout the port visit.
Sailors and Marines cleaned the schools in Cibali, and painted several community room in a local church in Paterno’. They also had the opportunity to interact with the students and help them practice their English.
“Community relation projects are important,” said Religious Specialist 2nd Class Curtis Glassner. “It gives us the opportunity to show our host country what we’re here for and what we represent.”
The first day combined 35 Sailors and Marines, who spent six hours cleaning several cluttered rooms while interacting with students and helping them practice their English. The project was hosted by the elementary and middle school of Catania called Istituto Comprensivo “Federico De Roberto.”
“The students are what made this port visit amazing,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nakita Atkinson. “A lot of the students were just excited to meet us and it made us all feel like celebrities, they even wanted our autographs.”
The following day was spent at the southwest side of Mt. Etna in the town of Paterno’. Father Salvatore Ali’, Chiesa Spirito Santo’s priest, welcomed the volunteers and requested assistance in painting three community rooms.
“The whole experience was amazing,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Peeples. “I got the opportunity to experience the Italian culture while being able to give back to the community while I was here.”
Lt. David Tambur, a chaplain assigned to Anchorage, helped coordinate the two projects. He explained how impressed he was with the Sailors and Marines and how well they exemplified the meaning of representing America.
“The events were long yet fun and everyone did an amazing job, showing we are representing the Navy as proper ambassadors,” said Tambur. “We’re not just here for a port visit, we’re here to exchange cultures and to give back to the host country.”
Dr. Alberto Lunetta, Sigonella community relation’s director, explained what the projects represented.
“Both volunteer projects had a positive impact on the Catania Cibali neighborhood and Paterno’ communities,” said Lunetta. “They showed that the Navy community embodies the American spirit and culture of giving back. Thank you.”
Anchorage is on a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 13th MEU. Anchorage and embarked 13th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as a crisis response force in support of regional partners as well as to promote U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
For information on the Anchorage, visit www.navy.mil/local/LPD23
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2018 11:34 |
| Story ID: | 296038 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Anchorage Lends a Helping Hand in Sicily, by PO1 Ryan Breeden, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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