NAPLES, Italy — More then 70 Sailors from Patrol Squadron 26 'Tridents' participated in a community relations project, Dec. 11, ensuring that children from the St. Elizabeth Orphanage on Mahe Island, Seychelles had a special holiday season.
VP-26 is in Mahe Island on a six-month deployment in support of counter piracy operations off the horn of Africa.
During the COMREL Sailors served lunch, sang Christmas carols and gave out presents to 15 children.
"It is an absolute honor to be able to bring the joy of Christmas to these young children and to represent VP-26 in the Seychelles," said Chief Petty Officer Anjenelle Kelly, one of the major organizers of the COMREL.
In addition to the lunch and presents, Sailors also played games of pick-up soccer and baseball.
"Despite the differences in culture and language, all the festivities and games made it easy for Patrol Squadron 26 Sailors to form fast friendships with the children in the Seychelles. It just shows you that the holiday spirit and message is universal. The season touches us all," said Lt. j.g. John Medwid, a P-3 pilot assigned to VP-26.
VP-26 is currently based out U.S. Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine and is on a scheduled deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of operations. VP-26 is scheduled to return to its' new duty station at U.S. Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida in June 2010.