NSA Naples Chiefs Mess Volunteers at Caroline Aqueduct

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Donavan K Patubo | Chief Gunner’s Mate Luis Ortiz, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples security department, participates in a community relations event sponsored by the NSA Naples Chief Petty Officers Association at the Caroline Aqueduct of the Royal Palace in Caserta, Italy, Sept. 19, 2020. NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo)  

NAPLES, ITALY

09.19.2020

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Donavan K Patubo 

U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Donavan K. Patubo

The Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) sponsored a community relations event at the Caroline Aqueduct of the Royal Palace in Caserta, Italy, Sept. 19.

The aqueduct – also known by the name of its designer, architect Luigi Vanvitelli – stretches to a length of about 38 km. While it is almost entirely underground, the water flows outside across a few short bridges, including the 529-meter-long section the NSA Naples CPOA visited.

“We’re in the town of Valle di Maddaloni, picking up trash on the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli and the surrounding area,” said Chief Yoeman Daniel Krum, assigned to NSA Naples administration department. “This aqueduct was built to supply the Royal Caserta Palace and the surrounding city with water from the mountains.”

Volunteers arrived in the morning, ready to work with gloves, rakes and garbage bags in hand. They filled several bags with refuse and left the historical site much cleaner than it had been at the beginning of the day.

“We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area, and by giving back, we're strengthening our ties with our local neighbors,” said Krum. “I feel that events like this show them how much they are appreciated, and how we respect their country.”

Volunteers began cleaning at the top of the aqueduct and moved steadily down the winding path. At the base of the structure, members of the local community were waiting, ready to pitch in and help remove garbage and debris scattered across the grounds.

“It was nice having the local community come out and clean with us. It definitely strengthened our bond with them. The mayor even came out to show his appreciation,” Krum said.

While the Chiefs of NSA Naples may have sponsored the community relations event, they were not the only ones to volunteer. Family members, including spouses, sons and daughters, also volunteered their time, doing their part to support the Chiefs Mess as well as the Italian community.

“Volunteering as a family is a great way to spend time together,” said NSA Naples community member Kelly Ruelas. “We get to see different parts of our area and meet new and amazing local people, all while teaching our children the importance of serving others.”

Ruelas, whose husband, Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Oscar Ruelas, is stationed at NSA Naples, explained she wanted to volunteer in order to support her husband and to help maintain the beauty of Caserta.

“It’s important for my husband, so it’s important to me,” said Ruelas. “We both really enjoy serving and helping others, and this is just one way we can do it together. Opportunities like this are great because they allow us to help people and areas that we would normally not be able to reach.”

The event was also a great opportunity for leadership to show that all service members onboard NSA Naples, regardless of rank or position, should take the initiative to get involved in the local community and show they care.

“This shows that the Chiefs Mess is leading from the front,” said Krum. “Not only are we encouraging our Sailors to get out there and give back to the community, but we’re also doing it ourselves.”

NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

For more news on NSA Naples, please follow us on Instagram @NSANaples and Facebook at facebook.com/NSANaples.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2020
• Date Posted: 09.24.2020 08:40
• Story ID: 378548
• Location: NAPLES, IT