Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jarrod Schad | U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Apprentice Roger Gonzales,...... read more read more
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U.S. Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), completed eight community outreach (COMREL) projects during a port visit in Marseille, April 27 – 30.
The projects included visits to the Rhone American Cemetery, Marseille elementary schools, a friendly soccer match with a Marseille fire department, American flag football with the Marseille Blue Stars Football Club, and a violin performance hosted by the France Etats-Unis organization in Marseille.
On two different days, 30 different Sailors chose to venture one hour inland from Marseille on a bus drive to the city of Draguignan. There, Sailors could view 860 headstone crosses at the Rhone American Cemetery where Americans who died during World War II are buried.
After a historical brief and stories about some of the fallen by the cemetery’s superintendent, Sailors signed a guestbook and took time to clean the headstones with water and brushes.
“The best part about the visit is that it opens up awareness among young Sailors,” said Chief Air Traffic Controlman Dexter Ronquillo, from Makati, Philippines, who was a group leader during John C. Stennis Sailors’ first visit to the Rhone cemetery. “The stories that were told were so emotional, and I hope Sailors understand how important their job is. Our young Sailors… need to understand why we are doing the things we do. They need to know the sacrifices made by the people before us and learn from them.”
Back in the interior of Marseille, around a dozen Sailors, each time, set foot inside two elementary schools, one named “College Sacre Coeur” and the other, “Ecole Saint Louis”. Sailors interacted with children from kindergarten to fifth grade. Teachers helped encourage Sailors and children to sit and have school meals with each other, play together during recess and gym, and conduct “question and answer” sessions in the classrooms.
“The children asked smart questions, such as how much fuel does the ship carry,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Jennifer Abreu, from Miami, Florida, who visited Ecole Saint Louis. “In my opinion, it was amazing to see the environment foreign kids get their education in as well as the different ways they gain knowledge.”
Abreu also added that among the different projects Sailors can volunteer for during port calls, spending time with school children is unique.
“It makes you feel warm inside knowing that these kids look up to you and see you as role models,” said Abreu. “Being able to interact with them even though they don't speak our language was special. We even learned a lot from them. They taught us a couple words in French. Doing COMRELs like this really helps you understand the importance of the Navy core values on a different level.”
From headstone crosses to smiles on children’s faces, friendly sports and violin music, John C. Stennis Sailors helped continue U.S. and French partnerships.
John C. Stennis is underway in the Mediterranean Sea as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG) deployment in support of maritime security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2019 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 320327 |
| Location: | MARSEILLE, FR |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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