Blind
students perform a musical concert for sailors from
the USS George Washington.
Phasakorn Channgam
This month’s shore leave in Pattaya for U.S. Navy sailors
was not all rest and recreation, with personnel from the USS George
Washington aircraft carrier group spending some of their time doing charity
work on behalf area students, senior citizens and disabled residents.
About 20 crew members from the George Washington paid a
visit to the Redemptorist School for the Blind Aug. 8, handing out desserts
and playing with students.
Principal Aurora Sribuapun greeted the sailors, seating
them for a musical show put on by blind students. The sailors tried their
hands at using the communication tools for the blind and joined them for
lunch.
Afterward, it was off to the Guranyawet Home for the
Disabled for some work, as sailors trimmed trees, cut grass and collected
leaves and trash. Many of Guranyawet’s residents pitched in to help as they
could during the two-hour visit.
Whilst at the School for the
Blind, sailors from the USS George Washington are shown what it’s like to
get around without the help of sight.
Meanwhile, about 30 sailors from the USS John McCain
cleaned up and did yard work at the Banglamung Home for the Elderly.
Appreciative seniors gave the boys cold water and cool towels as they worked
under the hot Thai sun.
Crewmembers from the USS Cowpens meanwhile set to work at
Ban Thungkrad School in Banglamung where they repainted buildings and the
cafeteria and joined in for some games with students. Students eagerly
awaited the soldiers’ visit, arming themselves with pencils and paper to
collect autographs from the visiting servicemen and women.
The Navy then jumped into some games of football,
volleyball, takraw and petanque with the kids.
This is not an easy lawn to
mow - sailors help tidy up the grounds at the Guranyawet Home for the
Disabled in Banglamung.
Sailors from the USS Cowpens
apply a new coat of paint to the walls at Ban Thungkrad School in
Banglamung.
Sailors from the USS John
McCain joined the cleaning activity at the Banglamung Home for the Elderly.
Crewmembers from the USS
Cowpens happily sign their autographs for the children at Ban Thungkrad
School in Banglamung.
