USS Ingraham (FFG 61) made its final liberty port call, April 16, during its six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf. The warship moored at the tropical island of Saipan, located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 150 miles north of Guam. As the crew disembarked for liberty a group of Sailors headed for a community relations project at Marianas High School.

Marianas High School, responsible for educating 1,500 students, only has seats for 150 students for meals due to the current cafeteria seating situation. The project participants rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Without blue prints, the volunteers utilized Navy know-how to reverse engineer one picnic table and manufacture several more. 

“Troubleshooting is just a part of Navy life and making the tables was no different,” said Electronics Technician 1st Class Robert Abeyta. “Solid planning and teamwork got the job done.”

Efforts on the first day yielded six complete tables. The following day brought more participants and more progress with the completion of 15 more tables. 

Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Jason Maurer reformed the manufacturing process by setting up an assembly line. The group more than doubled the seating for students. Each table was checked for durability and safety by the project coordinator, Chief Gunner’s Mate Curtis Stayrook. 

“Once the assembly line was up and running the tables parts seemed to fall into place,” said Maurer.

The staff and students treated the volunteers to an authentic Chamorro meal after the completion of the Sailor’s work. Sailors ate and relaxed with their hosts on the very same tables they created.  The volunteers answered the student’s questions about their recent travels, sharing sea stories. 

Ingraham will soon return to home port after operating in support of the Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group deployment. Through the past six months of deployment, countless Sailors have given their off duty time to community relations projects in seven countries, leaving lasting positive impressions of the officers and crew of USS Ingraham around the globe.