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.
Blind students perform a musical concert for sailors from the USS George Washington.
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.
