Sailors aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Chafee (DDG 90) participated in a community relations (COMREL) project at Alimirante Miguel Grau Seminario in Lima Peru, Oct. 4 and 5.

The COMREL project was spearheaded by the ship's Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD). It allowed more than 100 Sailors to assist with restoring and painting playground equipment, window frames, chairs and desks around the school.

"We're giving back to the communities at the ports we pull into," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Manuel Perez. "I've done this in many countries because I love to give back."

The Peruvian navy was also involved in the project, providing technical support to Washington Sailors.

"The other navies and countries see that we're supporting the children of Peru," said Perez. "I think it's very important that we participate in these COMRELs."

Participation in COMRELs are a way for Sailors to show support and interact with the community.

"We're showing our support to the world," said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman David Martinez. "We're showing that we care. We're reaching out to communities that don't have the resources or the man-power that we have."

Sailors wishing to participate in upcoming COMRELs will have the opportunity in future ports during Washington's deployment around South America.

Washington is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2015 which seeks to enhance interoperability, increase regional stability and build and maintain relationships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.