Red Cross Visits USS George Washington

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlyn R. Breitkreutz

Posted: Dec. 16, 2011

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Volunteers from the American and Japanese Red Cross associations handed out holiday greetings cards to Sailors aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Dec. 17.
 

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 17, 2011) - Volunteers with the American Red Cross and Japanese Red Cross organizations hand out Christmas cards on the mess decks of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Most of the volunteers were high school students from Yokosuka, Japan and Commander, Fleet Activities YokosukaÕs Kinnick High School. The USS George Washington returned to her forward operating port of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka November 22 after a nine-week patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexander W. Cabrall) | Download

The cards were written by Americans for distribution to U.S. service men and women overseas.

The 20 volunteers handed the cards to every Sailor they met during their visit to the ship. The volunteers were high school students from the city of Yokosuka, Japan and Kinnick High School on Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

“We get so many cards every year from people in the states and those that admire you guys and what you do,” said Canneah Thigpen, chairmen of volunteers for the American Red Cross at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. “We’re happy to do it and happy to be here.”

“They’re creative and it’s nice to be shown that people care,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airmen Tremayne Robinson from Chicago. “It means a lot to get a card – especially at this time of the year.”

Sailors aboard the George Washington weren’t the only ones excited by the visit. The volunteers were happy to be able to come aboard the ship and see what it was like.

“I’ve never been on a ship before. The ship is very large. It is so cool!” said Hiroe Suzuki, a Japanese Red Cross volunteer.

The Red Cross of Yokosuka has also shown support for other events on base and for military members in the area by volunteering at the Navy College, The Yokosuka base library, local schools and sponsoring festivals and fundraising events.

The volunteers were part of a group of 40 volunteers from both the American and Japanese Red Cross associations who visited the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63).