MESA VERDE, Co. – Seven Sailors from the San Antonio–class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) visited the ship's namesake, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, April 2, 2018. During the six-day trip, the Sailors continued to build a rapport between ship and the Mesa Verde community.
"This trip served as an excellent opportunity to experience the culture and liveliness of Mesa Verde," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Joseph Amaya. "The sights, sounds, and people were invaluable; I never thought I’d have the chance to visit the place my ship was named for, it was an honor."
The visiting sailors of LPD 19 did an array of activities including hiking the Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde, community relations projects, and even presented the Nation's Colors at Coors Field to start a Colorado Rockies game.
“It was an honor to not only represent the Navy but also my family,” said USS Mesa Verde’s Junior Sailor of the Year, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Fuel 2nd Class Dante Bryant. “I never thought I’d be on national television but to be there knowing my family was watching made it a greater thrill.”
Bryant said the game doesn’t compare to the experience he had at the National Park. He said the crew received an understanding of the name Mesa Verde and noticed similarities between the park and the ship; such as, depending on one another and how native people of Mesa Verde wear multiple hats like the Sailors do on board.
“The trip was one of the best experiences I ever had, it really means the most to me,” said Bryant. “We represent 24 tribes in our ship’s crest. I see the impact of that now. You can’t buy or fathom that realization until you witness it like we have.”
Amaya, the command's Petty Officer of the Year, agreed with Bryant saying it was amazing to be in Coors Field but it was a greater honor to meet representatives from tribes native to Mesa Verde and especially to meet the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Linda Campbell, her husband retired US Senator Ben “Nighthorse” Campbell, and the tribal administrator of Zia Pueblo, Mr. Peter Pino, who delivered a Native American blessing at the ship’s commissioning in 2007.
"I asked Peter Pino how he felt looking back on the day he blessed the ship," said Amaya. "He responded, 'you're here so I guess it worked!'"
To wrap up the trip, the Sailors spent time with the youth of Mesa Verde where they talked about the Navy. For some of the children this is the most they’ve witnessed anything of the Navy and their enthusiasm was taken in.
“Some of them came and told us they were interested in joining the Navy when they get older,” said Bryant. “They really liked us and didn’t even know us and that meant to me. We touched them, and they really touched us.”
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2018 06:45 |
| Story ID: | 274229 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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