Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) participated in the beautification of the Montclair Neighborhood Park with the San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, August 14th.

For over three hours, Sailors trimmed trees and shrubbery, painted park benches and gave the park a much needed makeover. The San Diego Parks and Recreation Department wants to attract families for recreational events and give the local community an opportunity to have a clean, graffiti-free park. 

Sailors concentrated on a single park and brought it back to peak condition.

“I love that you’re wearing your gold shirts, letting everyone in the neighborhood know that the Navy is here,” said Kathy Costello, area manager for the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s nice to see Sailors come off the ship and take ownership of a piece of the community, showing that you care.”

Lt. Long Nguyen, a Navy chaplain assigned to Theodore Roosevelt, helped to coordinate the event and felt it was important for the ship’s Sailors to get back out into the community after returning from a long deployment.

“We go all over the world to defend democracy and help our foreign allies. Why not do it here in our home port of San Diego,” said Nguyen. “This project was a perfect fit for us. The parks department needed the most help with this particular park and what better way for us to give back.”

This was the first opportunity for Sailors from Theodore Roosevelt to participate in community outreach since returning home.

“Personally, this my first time to getting off the ship and giving back to the community, and it definitely won’t be the last,” said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Alyssa Bonilla. “It makes me feel great to have the opportunity to use my time today to make this park look beautiful, so it can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.”

Theodore Roosevelt is currently moored in San Diego undergoing a scheduled planned incremental availability.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/.