By Ens. Andrew Long, USS Halsey Public Affairs
VICTORIA, British Columbia – Sailors from guided missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) continued the excellent relations with our Canadian allies by cleaning and painting a community center operated by the Burnside Gorge Community Association May 2 during a port visit to Esquimalt, British Columbia.
Crewmembers armed with paintbrushes, lawnmowers, and iPods worked to clean the grounds and facilities of the Burnside Gorge community center.
“We were able to mow the lawns, remove weeds and debris, and paint three classrooms,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Lisa Capell, the community relations coordinator for USS Halsey.
“After we finished, the facility looked like really nice. It looked like we accomplished a week’s worth of work,” said one of the volunteers, Petty Officer 1st Class Jessica A. Henry.
Cmdr. Jordy Harrison, commanding officer of USS Halsey, said, “It is an absolute privilege to be received in a foreign port and contribute to the local community in meaningful ways. We have a motivated and talented crew that loves to volunteer at every opportunity.”
“It is very important to have volunteers offer their services and expertise in the way the sailors did,” said Simeon Goa, a custodian for Burnside Gorge. “With volunteers, positive changes are possible and can assist in creating a better working environment and a sense of connection with the community and abroad.”
USS Halsey and USS Sterett are home ported in San Diego, Calif., and are scheduled to operate with the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group later this year.
For more information, please visit www.halsey.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/USSHalsey, and www.twitter.com/USS HALSEY.