By: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danilo Reynoso
NEW YORK – Sailors from the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) participated in a community relations project at the Frederick E. Samuel Apartments in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, Nov. 9.
Roughly 45 Oak Hill Sailors teamed up with the complex’s resident association and its president, Dianna Blackwell, to renovate an old garden by removing weeds, dead plants and broken flower boxes to beautify it for next spring.
The visit provided Sailors an opportunity to build positive, impactful, lasting relationships with New Yorkers, while also allowing them to give back to the people who are hosting Oak Hill for Veterans Week New York City.
“I think community relations projects are a great opportunity for the Navy to give back to the community. It’s about showing the public that the Navy helps people. I love the feeling, and I love seeing the smile on people’s faces and showing that we care,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Andrew Steven Laroe.
Chief Operations Specialist Reginald Washington said he participated in the COMREL to help prior service members and because of the larger impact it will have on the neighborhood as a whole.
“Being Veterans Day weekend, this is our way of appreciating our communities and those who have served before us,” said Washington. “Community service is key to making this world a better place to live in for our family members, friends and even those we don’t know personally.”
Blackwell said the Fred Samuels Residence Association was exceptionally pleased to have the support and was glad Oak Hill came out to help.
“I’m really grateful with this being Veterans Day weekend and that one day all of these young people I see here will be veterans,” said Blackwell. “How they are serving their country it’s so important to me, and I’m really, really grateful.”
Resident Mary Griffin added that the complex will get to enjoy the fruits of the Sailors’ labor when it is time to plant again.
“Come spring we will feel and look renewed, not only with the season, but also with this garden that they have cleaned up and made available to this community,” said Griffin. “It’s going to be a pleasure to come out here in the spring and see everything cleaned up. It’s difficult for us seniors to do this on our own, but with this help we are going to be gung-ho in the spring, and I thank you.”
Oak Hill is participating in Veterans Week New York City 2018 to honor the service of all our nation’s veterans.
| Date Taken: |
11.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: |
11.12.2018 16:56 |
| Story ID: |
299601 |
| Location: |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: |
66 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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