Sailors from USS San Jacinto Volunteer at Group Home During Port Visit

Ten Sailors, including five chiefs select from guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) volunteered at an assisted living group home during the ship’s visit at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, Aug. 16.

The ship, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, arrived Aug. 13 at Naval Station Newport’s Pier 2 for a weeklong visit and served as a school ship for the Surface Warfare Officers School.

The ship provided tours for students and staff from the Naval War College; Officer Candidate School Newport; Navy Supply Corps School; members of the Naval War College Foundation; and 35 youth, ages 9-12, from the NAVSTA Summer Youth Camp Program.

The volunteers painted the interior corridor walls and doors at the Anita Jackson House group home located in Middletown, R.I. The facility has 14 residents. The volunteers donated more than 50 man hours to finish the project.

“They were a great bunch of Sailors,” said Kevin Murtough, controller, Newport County Community Mental Health. “They were very receptive and attentive to what they were doing,” Murtough said.

“It’s important that we give back to the community,” said Chief (select) Operations Specialist Patricia Jones of Virginia Beach, Va. “These are the people we work for as we defend our country,” she said.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Brit Engbrecht of Redondo Beach, Calif. worked in human resources prior to enlisting three years ago and expressed similar feelings about giving back to the community to those in need.

“Personally this project builds camaraderie, the spirit of teamwork, and demonstrates a good example to the younger Sailors,” said Gas Turbine System Mechanical Technician Chief Select Albert Andrews of Queens, N.Y. “This project is about the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment,” Andrews said.

“I like to volunteer during my free time. We are helping people in need and we hope this will brighten their day,” said Seaman Tejon Robinson of Bronx, N.Y.

Twenty midshipmen from the Holy Cross-Yale Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Consortium attending a summer freshman orientation at Naval Station Newport toured the San Jacinto Aug. 16.

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Naval Today Staff, August 20, 2012; Image: US Navy