One-sixth or about 120 of the 650 sailors of the United State command ship in the Pacific is Filipino, said Captain Rudy Lupton, USS Blue Ridge commanding officer.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), which is the command ship of the US 7th Fleet with control over 45 ships and area of responsibility from Hawaii to India, arrived for a scheduled four-day goodwill tour here August 4 in order to “strengthen ties between the two countries through shipboard tours, activities, and community service projects.â€
Captain Rudy Lupton, commanding officer of the 636.5-foot long ship, said he believes that this visit to Manila will be a rewarding experience for his crew.
"Manila is an exciting port of call for the crew," Lupton said. "Our sailors are looking forward to relaxing, participating in community service projects, enjoying the local culture and experiencing all that Manila has to offer."
The visit is more special to those with friends and relatives still in the country.
One of them, Ship Serviceman Archie Burdeos, born and raised in Manila and from Cavite, said he might visit some kin during the visit.
“It’s a mix of feelings when I see my family because, like many other times I’ve seen them while in the Navy, it was unplanned but exciting,†said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Edgar Tandoy.
But even those without acquaintances here are excited to have a taste of what the Philippines means to them. - source: PDI
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Topic: Filipino Sailors in US Command Ship in Pacific (Read 866 times)