Sailors aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) spent time visiting with children and their families at Guam Memorial Hospital, April 21.

The Sailors visited the hospital to spend time with the sick children who have spent days and even weeks as patients, and to support the parents of those children.

"We wanted to come and really interact with the kids," said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Lonnie McDade. "They are stuck in here all day and can't go outside, we want to bring outside to them. We want to be a shining light for them and give them a way to forget that they are in a hospital."

The children at the hospital range from newborns to 16 years old. The Sailors visited various rooms and brought smiles to the children's' faces as they talked and shared stories with them.

"They need some type of entertainment," said Ruth Sabangan, unit supervisor of Pediatrics at the hospital. "They look at us and see pain. It's nice to have somebody new that will bring them joy."

Sabangan said that many people like to visit the Pediatrics area during the holiday season. McDade emphasized that the goal of Frank Cable Sailors is to become a supporter for them year-round.

"We're here to show them that the Navy cares," McDade said. "We're here to make a difference. Our job is not only to protect the community but to create a community partnership."

Frank Cable Sailors are planning a return trip to the hospital and hope to include more Sailors so that they can continue to show support to families in Guam.

Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more information on Frank Cable, visit www.cable.navy.mil or like us on Face book at www.facebook.com/USSFrankCableAS40.

For more news from USS Frank Cable (AS 40), visit www.navy.mil/.