Photo By Joseph Schmitt | Students from Ikego Elementary sing Christmas carols to USS Curtis Wilbur Sailors,...... read more read more
Students, faculty and family members from Ikego Elementary School visited ships in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka to sing holiday music to the sailors onboard, Dec. 13.
Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15) Chaplin Department coordinated the event with Ikego Elementary to bring the students onboard the ships. This is an annual event that goes on every year just before the students leave for Christmas break.
“The school has participated in this event for the past 13 years,” said Ikego Elementary principal Valerie Rainey. “We practice for months before and then we come to the ships to sing the carols to the Sailors.”
Not all of the DESRON 15 ships were in port for the holidays, but the students got to visit a few that were in port Yokosuka.
“USS Stethem, USS Mustin, USS McCampbell and USS Curtis Willbur all had students visit them today,” said Religious Programs Specialist First Class Cecil Collins, event coordinator for DESON 15 Chaplin Department.
When the students arrived at the ships the commanding officer and sailors greeted them. Collins explained that even though the students are from military families they were still excited.
“I heard some of the students say ‘I’ve been on a ship before, it’s no big deal’ but when they saw the commanding officer and all the people waiting for them to sing, you could see their faces brighten up,” said Collins.
The students sang “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” "Feliz Navidad" and other holiday favorites.
Some of the sailors were heard singing along and said that they were happy to have a feeling of Christmas though far from their homes in the states.
“I thought it was really adorable,” said Fire Controlman Third Class Jordan Clancy, USS Curtis Willbur (DDG 54) Sailor. “It reminded me of home and all my nieces and nephews. It was really nice for them to come and sing for us.”
After singing the students learned about the ship from the commanding officer and crew. They explained what they mission was and the capabilities of their ship.
“We want to embrace the community as much as we can and it was wonderful to have these kids here, it was a great opportunity to share in the holiday spirit” said Cmdr. Joseph Femino, USS Curtis Wilbur commanding officer.
After visiting the ships the students went to the Fleet Theater for a concert from the 7th Fleet Band where Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus showed up to take pictures with the students.
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.11.2013 02:51 |
| Story ID: | 100235 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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