Your Name:
Your Email:
To:
Subject:
Message: Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- Sailors from the guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) reached out to children with developmental disorders during a recent port visit Feb. 10. The community relations (COMREL) project at the children’s autism treatment center utilized 12 Ingraham Sailors volunteering a day to spend one-on-one time with autistic children. “It feels good to help somebody I don’t even know,” said Seaman John Jordan, Ingraham volunteer. “This is my first time doing a COMREL project and it’s inspired me to volunteer more.” The COMREL began in the classroom and eventually led to the school’s playground with Ingraham Sailors interacting with children using puzzles and games. “We spent some time in the classroom, but I think the kids had the best time out in the playground,” said Interior Communications Electrician Seaman Todd Lanternman who has previously volunteered to help children in Chicago’s inner city. “They’re like any other kids, they just learn differently. But all [kids] have one thing in common…they all love the playground. “This is a good experience for me and is something I probably wouldn’t have had a chance to do if I wasn’t in the Navy,” reflected Lanternman. The children’s autism treatment center was founded in 2001 and offers schooling and therapy for autistic children, from early intervention at age 3, to pre-vocational and employment skills by age 19. “A lot of Navy personnel come out here to help the kids,” said Special Education Teacher Brian Despuez. “It really helps the kids adjust to other people and allows them to have fun at the same time. It’s a good community service of the Navy.” Ingraham is part of Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and is currently conducting operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The flexibility and capability of U.S. and Coalition forces make them well positioned to respond to any potential emergent situations. Through operations and training with regional partners, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet forces enhance existing cooperative relationships with an aim to support regional countries’ struggles against violent extremism. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/ingraham_sailors_volunteer_at_childrens_autism_treatment_center/
