More than 300 Sailors from Navy Region Southwest and their family members gathered in National City, California, to participate in the semi-annual Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) "Main Street Cleanup," Nov. 14.

NBSD hosts the community relations (COMREL) project twice a year in an effort to improve the appearance of areas in San Diego and maintain the positive relationship with the communities surrounding the base.

The COMREL, which is in its 15th year, has been successful in cleaning the streets of San Diego.

"On average, we pick up about 1.8 tons of trash in the Fall, while in the Spring we pick up about 2.4 tons," said Quartermaster 1st Class Jason P. Silas, one of the organizers of the event. "We want the communities to know that we care about the area that we work and live in."

Silas knows the impact COMRELS have is not only important to the communities and also to the junior Sailors.

"Its crucial that junior Sailors learn to help the communities that support the Navy here in San Diego," said Silas. "Its important that they know that it's not just about their base but also about the community here."

In an effort to further motivate Sailors, the event awarded a trophy to the command with the most unique trash collected.

"Every year we are surprised by what we find," said Capt. Curt Jones, commanding officer of NBSD, who was in attendance at the event.

This year, Sailors found a microwave, baby strollers, car tires, a Christmas tree and a television, among other things.

This year, NBSD was awarded the "most unique trash" trophy for finding a sofa couch during the cleanup effort.

Those commands looking to take the trophy from the reigning champions will have a chance to do so this coming Spring.

"The next event will be sometime between March and April of 2016," said Silas. "We look forward to having an even bigger turn out."

For more information on NBSD events, visit www.navy.mil/local/NBSD/

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