http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/7frel195.html
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 15:06:58
In the midst of sweltering Guamanian summer heat, 16 Sailors from USS Pogy (SSN-647) selflessly dedicated 100 man-hours to making repairs and improvements and meeting with the children at the Alee Shelter for abused children in Guam. The Alee shelter is a temporary home where abused children, ranging in ages from two months to 13 years old, remain for up to two years awaiting permanent care. The diverse Pogy team of electricians, yard workers, and painters charged forward to complete numerous household repairs and create a safe play area for the children. Jobs ranged from simple chores such as wiring a patio light and clearing weeds to preparing and painting more than 1,200 square feet of deck space with a fresh coat of paint and non-skid.
After spending an afternoon on the project, Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Joel Henricks of Adrian, Mi. summarized the effort:
“It was dirty work, just like when we field day on the boat, but this job was especially satisfying because we were doing it for some great kids who needed our help.”
Pogy crewmembers had come prepared to spend time with the kids too. After passing out home-made chocolate-chip cookies to the children, project leader Chief Machinest Mate Daniel Jones of Bremerton, Wash. said, that a day and a half of work was nothing for them.
“For them, it was a Godsend everyone should find some type of project where we can make a difference in someone else’s life.” He also described the positive side effects of community service, adding, “helping others makes you feel good about yourself.”
Lorreta Riddle, the shelter supervisor, was extremely enthusiastic about the heroic efforts of the Pogsters.
“The guys came through like gang busters. They were great. If it were not for the support of the community, especially the military, we would have to close the shelter,” she stated.
On top of the warm feelings and hard work shared by all who participated, the Pogy Sailors were graciously treated to a delicious chammoran barbeque served in the shelter’s bachyard by volunteers and workers at the shelter. The whole event was an across-the-board success since it provided the shelter a way to save their fiscal resources for where they needed it most, with the children, and it gave the crew a chance to participate in a unique experience and reach out to those in need overseas.
USS Pogy volunteers and hometowns include:
EM2 Chris Clark, (Savanna, Ill.);
EM1 Jimmy Lunsford, (Amarillo, Tex.);
EM3 Joel Henricks, (Adrian, Mich.);
EM3 Timothy McNamara, (Tucson, Az.);
ET1 Randall Hawks, (Chicago, Ill.);
MMC Daniel Jones (Bremerton, Wash.);
STS1 Steven Youel, (Ann Arbor, Mich.);
Lt. Cmdr. Jon Dowell (Western Springs, Ill.);
Lt. Joe Cronley (Sturgis, Mich.);
STSSN Paul Bouchard, (South Amboy, N.J.);
MMFN Manuel Lozano, (Houston, Tex.);
ETC Bill Carter, (Naples, N.Y.);
STSC Ron Dietze (South English, Iowa);
STS1 Robert Bissonette, (Kankakise, Ill.);
STSSN James Bierly, (Los Angeles, Calif.);
SR Steven Whittaker, (Sacramento, Calif.).
