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Philippine Navy officers arrive to tour the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) anchored off Luzon, Philippines.
Photo by PH1 Winston C. Pitman, USN |
The Seventh Fleet Band’s Shonan Brass quintet gave a concert at the Shanghai Children’s Home. “It was one of the best quintet gigs we’ve ever done, because we got to work with the kids,” said MU2 Scott Mythen. “Right in the middle of the show, we walked from the stage into the crowd and let the kids explore the instruments. It was one of the best things we’ve done as a group.”
Philippines
In Luzon, the USS Blue Ridge staff engaged in military talks with their Philippine Navy counterparts. U.S. Navy Cmdr. Dave Borah noted that the talks between the two countries’ military staffs are a normal part of ensuring security in the region. “It allows us to share our concerns with their military, and it also gives them an opportunity to present their concerns to us in a face-to-face forum,” he said.
A 13-member delegation, led by Capt. Ferdinand Golez, Assistant Chief of Navy Staff for Operations, Philippine Navy, came aboard to discuss many issues of common interest between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.
Japan
The USS Blue Ridge’s last port visit on the way to Yokosuka was to Nagoya, Japan. While in Nagoya, U.S sailors and Marines visited the Itsu Aikan Orphanage where they played games with the children. They also visited the Ashita-no-oka, a home for the elderly and disabled, where they spent time with residents, talking, drinking tea, and playing games. At the Shirayama Shirta shrine, U.S. sailors and Marines helped clean the surrounding yard.
Also during the port visit to Nagoya, the Seventh Fleet’s Far East Edition performed a concert at the JR Central Towers in the city’s downtown area. Capt. Maynard expressed appreciation for the city’s hospitality. “Many of my sailors joined the Navy to see the world,” he said, “and coming to a wonderful place like this is a dream come true for them.”
The six-nation tour by the USS Blue Ridge sailors and Marines not only encouraged new friendships, but also renewed old ones, even with the citizenry. In Shanghai, an elderly Chinese lady and the U.S. Navy bandleader smiled and shook hands when they recognized each other from a similar visit four years earlier. In all the countries, the hospitality made a lasting impression on the American service members and helped whittle down barriers to mutual understanding and cooperation.
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The Far East Edition, the U.S. Seventh Fleet’s traditional “big band,” gives a public concert at the JR Central Towers in Nagoya, Japan. The 20-member band was embarked aboard the Seventh Fleet command-and-control ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
Photo by PH1(AW) Winston C. Pitman, USN |
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