PEARL HARBOR, HI – Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) participated in various community service (COMSERVE) projects June 28 to July 2 during a port visit to Pearl Harbor, in conjunction with the biennial multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercise.
During their stay, more than 50 Sailors volunteered their time to help out the local community with four different COMSERVE events on and off Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Sailors rolled up their sleeves and assisted in the preservation of the Battleship Missouri Memorial and performed landscaping and restoration at the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, Waimea Valley Historical Nature Park and He’eia Stream.
“In addition to sightseeing and enjoying the local nightlife, I wanted to do something constructive with my free time, so I volunteered to help out at more than one event,” said Aviation Boatswains Mate Fuels 2nd Class (AW/SW) Albert Vencer. “Being from Warren, Michigan, I never imagined I would ever be in Hawaii helping clear out a hiking
path through the mountains, waterfalls and jungle. The sun was really hot out there and the mosquitoes were biting, but it was worth it. I enjoyed myself and I found a new way to experience the island.”