USS Shoup Members Conduct Community Services, Teach Basketball
Residents of the Home of Compassion in Tamavua were excited to have ten United States Ship Shoup (DDG 86) navy ship crew members around their compound on Monday.
This was part of the visiting naval personnel community service over the three days their vessel was berthed at the Suva King’s Wharf.
United States Navy Damaged Control Officer Lemar Carter, 35 from California was part of the clean-up programme.
This was Chief Petty Officer Carter’s first visit to Fiji and their community work at the Princess Road Home reminded him so much of where he came from.
“It was good chatting with the residents, they were as happy as us on the day. It reminded me of my family back home,” CPO Carter said.
“There must be as much contact with the residents, they have contributed so much to society and the least we can do is drop in and have a chat,” he said.
CPO Carter’s role on the ship is to look after the damage control matters, ship stability, firefighting, fire prevention, and chemical, biological and radiological warfare defense.
Community Service at Home of Compassion Registered nurse Asinate Melania, 57, acknowledged USS Shoup crew members in giving their time to cleanup for aged care facility.
“This is a kind gesture shown by the USS Shoup navy ship crew and the 16 residents were quite excited meeting them,” Mrs Melania said.
Ms Melania said the naval personnel had spent about half an hour chatting with residents then at 10am they were assigned to their respective tasks.
“They cleaned-up, scrubbed, water-blasted, cleaned windows, and did a bit of gardening,” she said.
“This is the second visit we have had in a week and we look forward to more.
Resident Elizabeth Joy, 80, has been at the Home for a year now. She said she was blessed to have the US navy visiting them.
“It was really good and a blessing to have young people visiting us. It was wonderful,” Ms Joy said.
Another set of USS Shoup crew members shared their basketball knowledge with pre-school students with the Little Ones Learning Centre.
The mini basketball session was held at Ed’s Court, Grantham Road, Raiwaqa.
The third set of USS Shoup navy officers planted mangrove seedlings along the Queen Elizabeth Drive, Laucala Bay.
USS Shoup (DDG 86) is in Fiji as part of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiatives (OMSI). It was in Suva briefly last week and returned again on Sunday. The vessel departs today.
