BHR Sailors Visit Indian Wells Students

U.S. Navy Releases

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)(BHR) visited students at Gerald R. Ford Elementary School in Indian Wells, Calif., March 7 as part of the Triangular Adoption Program.

The program was developed by former Indian Wells Mayor Walter McIntyre in 1999, allowing the city to adopt BHR and, in turn, the ship to adopt the school. During the crew's regular visits, they mentor students in math, history, geography, social studies, and the arts.

The third element of the program is the city's recognition of BHR's Sailors of the Quarter.

"This trip is very important to me," said BHR Senior Sailor of the Year, Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Patricia Cunanan. "I feel we can have a positive influence on children their age."

Cunanan said she felt like she was famous when the children started running up to her asking for autographs on photocopied pictures of the ship.

"I could tell that we were appreciated when that happened," said Cunanan.

Sailors visited classrooms throughout the school, sharing their stories and experiences with the students. During the visit, students asked questions on topics ranging from the size of the ship to Sailors' sleeping quarters. The Sailors and students also spent time together during recess.

"We not only educated the children," said Ensign Jeff Delongpre. "But the teachers learn[ed] something also."

Indian Wells is a small desert community 150 miles from San Diego, so contact with the Navy supplies an education the students and teachers would otherwise find hard to come by.

"This experience is incredible for the kids," said Diane Vitsaras, a kindergarten teacher. "They see the Sailors as role models."

Vitsaras said it was interesting to see what kind of questions the children were going to ask. Most of them knew little about the military besides what they had been taught in school lessons.

"We briefly went over rank structure and the different symbols you see on the uniform," said Vitsaras. "But seeing [the Sailors] in person puts what we taught and what they learned into perspective."

The amphibious assault ship BHR is currently making final preparations for a scheduled deployment. Gerald R. Ford fifth-graders are scheduled to visit BHR later this month to get a firsthand look at the ship.

For related news, visit the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.

Story Number: NNS070312-17 - Release Date: 3/12/2007 5:37:00 PM