Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) banded together with one of its sister villages, Merizo, Guam, by participating in a community relations (COMREL) project on Mar. 9.
The COMREL brought together U.S. Navy Sailors and Merizo village residents to beautify the streets of Merizo.
“I’m very thankful for the hands and help that the Navy gives Merizo and their sister villages,” said Ernest Chargualaf, the mayor of Merizo. “It really shows the value of having the sister village concept whenever you all come out and help with events”
Chargualaf said the sister village concept allows commands to form strong community bonds with their surrounding villages in Guam.
“The concept actually started many years ago between Merizo and the Coast Guard,” said Chargualaf. “It has now expanded and involves all three branches on island…Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard.”
Sailors are always ready to volunteer for COMRELs in Guam. USS Emory S. Land was recently awarded an honorable mention in the 2017 Navy Community Service Environmental Stewardship Flagship Awards.
Chargualaf agreed, explaining that every community that has a sister command benefits greatly. “It allows us to be One Island, One Community and One Guam,” said Chargualaf.
It is vital that the U.S. Navy maintains positive relationships around the world. Emory S. Land Sailors’ volunteer work furthers the U.S. Navy’s commitment to cooperation and friendship with the communities of Guam. Through each community outreach event, we strive to be One Guam.
“COMRELs are an essential part to maintaining good relationships with our sister villages,” said LT. Wilking Jean, chaplain aboard USS Emory S. Land.
Emory S. Land provides maintenance, hotel services and logistical support to submarines and surface ships in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
For more information about USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), visit http://www.csp.navy.mil/emorysland/ or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EmorySLand, or on Twitter @EmorySLand.
For more news from USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/as39/.
Are you interested in taking orders to Guam? Want to learn more about the duty station and life on our island? For more information, check out the ‘Go Guam!’ website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/go-guam/ and download the ‘1st Fifteen’ checklist.
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