The Technodrome Forums - Sailors, Marines from USS Iwo Jima Clean up Sicilian Orphanage

Quote:

SIGONELLA, Sicily (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit volunteered to clean up the Cassa Della Beneficenza Orphanage March 5 in Floridia, Sicily.

Volunteers improved the overall look of the grounds.

"Today, we're gardeners," said Cmdr. Jonathan Smith, Iwo Jima command chaplain. "We've cleaned up the front and back gardens. We pulled all the weeds, cleaned out the flower beds, racked, swept and changed some lights inside the sanctuary."

Smith explained the volunteer work goes a long way for the morale of the volunteers and children involved.

"The Sailors and Marines really love getting out and helping people," Smith said. "It makes them feel good about their mission in this part of the world and makes them feel like they're accomplishing something tangible."

Smith expressed his belief that community relations )(COMREL) projects such as this are a great way give back and improve the image of the Navy worldwide.

"Community relations are a big part of what the Navy needs today," he said. "Above all, we need to establish trust with the world at large and the communities in particular, and this is a great way to do that."

Sister Nunziatina Sorella who works at the orphanage appreciated the time the volunteers put into helping clean up the orphanage.

"This is not the first time Sailors have come here. Sailors have been coming here for many, many years, and it's a beautiful thing. The kids like it when Sailors come because it's like a party for them. It's a different experience, because they don't get exposure to a lot of things. It's a day of joy and fraternity."

Iwo Jima is in the port of Augusta Bay, Sicily, on a scheduled port visit as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group which is supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

For more news from Naval Air Station Sigonella, visit www.navy.mil/local/nassig/.

Awesome stuff, what do you think of this? :)