The following was provided by the USS Kearsarge's Public Affairs Officer.

Kearsarge Sailors, Marines Make a Difference in Palma

By JO C(SW/AW) Dave Nagle, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs Officer

PALMA DE MALLORCA , SPAIN -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) took time during their port visit to Palma de Mallorca to lend a hand in the local community.

More than 30 Kearsarge crewmembers and Marines from the 26^th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in a community service project at Projecte Home, a substance abuse rehabilitation facility on April 11 and 12.

The project, coordinated by Kearsarge ’s Command Chaplain, Cmdr. Guy Lee, took place at Projecte Home’s two locations, its main treatment facility outside the town of Llucmayor and its new location in Palma .

“Someone donated an old senior citizen’s home to Projecte Home to be used as a staff training facility,” said Lee.  “The home was donated lock, stock and barrel, which meant along with the home, they got all the old furniture and debris inside.”

During the two-day project, Sailors and Marines hauled trash and old furniture, cleared underbrush and performed general cleaning at the house in Palma, and performed general cleaning and gardening at the Llucmayor facility.

The community relations project was one of many different activities available to Sailors and Marines during the six-day port visit, but one which gave them an opportunity to give something back to the local community.

“I decided to volunteer because the people here in Mallorca make us feel welcome and were nothing but nice to us,” said Aviation Support Equipmentman 2^nd Class Teresa Sanchezarias. 

“The citizens of Palma have been wonderful hosts and extremely gracious during our port visit,” added Capt. Edward Barfield, Commander, Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group who presented a command ballcap to Projecte Home’s administrator.  “This [project] was the least we could do to say thanks.”

As Kearsarge and the 26^th MEU continue their mission, they take with them not only good memories of liberty in Palma , but also the knowledge that they have made a difference in the community.

 “We’re here on this deployment to be ready to fight in the Global War on Terrorism,” added Lee.  “But one really important part of being out here is to be good neighbors and good ambassadors wherever we go.  This is one aspect of that.  We come into the community, get involved and show that we care and we’re here to represent the Navy, Marine Corps and our country.”

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