San Antonio Sailors 'Serve the City'

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17) partnered with Coastland's Community Church July 24 as part of the 'Serve The City' initiative in Chesapeake, Va.

'Serve The City' is a program that helps underprivileged families get back on their feet. Durant Kreider, senior pastor of Coastland's Community
Church, has been with the program since its beginning.

"We've been out here for about five years now. In the past two years we've grown from three churches to about 22 churches; we've developed partnerships with schools, the police department and obviously the Navy," Kreider said.

Interior Communications Technician 3rd Class Patrick Johnson, San Antonio crew member, heard about one underprivileged family and decided to take action.

"A woman, Yolande Chapman, contacted my pastor and said she needed some help with her house," explained Johnson. "Pastor Durant asked me to help him this week, and I asked if he minded if I got the ship involved. I got all the information from him as far as how many people we needed and how many hours we needed. A few days later, here we are," he added.

"He said 'let me talk to my command," Kreider included. "He ran it up through the chaplain's office on the ship, and they said 'we'd like to help.' Within 10 days, we had Sailors on the ground here helping out. It's just amazing."

Johnson and others from San Antonio arrived at the residence ready to roll up their sleeves and break a sweat. They did everything from yard maintenance to drywall patching and painting.

"It takes motivation to do what we're doing," Johnson said. "I'm glad people showed up to do something they didn't have to do."

Kreider echoed Johnson's sentiment.

"What it says to me is that the Navy is not just for our protection overseas, and we so appreciate that," stated Kreider. "It also says they're about working in the community, and if somebody has a need, not just when a hurricane or a catastrophic threat like that happens, but that there are people out there who say they want to help others, to me, that speaks volumes."

It also spoke volumes to Chapman.

"You are all awesome people," she exclaimed. "If there was a way I could repay everyone here, I would. Everyone out here right now is a blessing to me and my family."

For more news from USS San Antonio (LPD 17), visit www.navy.mil/local/lpd17/.