USS WHIDBEY ISLAND, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) celebrated the holidays while deployed in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 25.
Despite being far from home, different organizations throughout the ship came together to sing Christmas carols, hold worship services, host a gift giveaway, hand out greeting cards, and create an elaborate holiday feast for the crew.
"We have been away from our families for a while now, and coming together as a ship to celebrate the holidays takes some of that sting away," said Cmdr. Eric L. Conzen, commanding officer. "We have grown close over the last nine months. Holiday meals, a very special Christmas Eve mail delivery, an MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) gift extravaganza, holiday routine, and phone calls home are just a few of the ideas the crew had to keep our spirits bright."
On Christmas Eve, amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) delivered 14,564 pounds of mail to Whidbey Island, providing the crew with many long-awaited holiday care packages from home. That night, first class petty officers volunteered to make and serve the traditional Saturday night pizza dinner to the crew, giving the ship's cooks a break before the holiday meal.
"I think everyone did a really great job trying to make the best out of a tough situation," said Engineman 3rd Class Annette Storms. "My favorite parts of the festivities were the gifts and the food, especially the fresh-baked bread."
The crew was also able to enjoy a little down time over the weekend in honor of the holiday. The ship's Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) handed out holiday cards and candy canes. The Religious Ministries department organized a special holiday worship service on Christmas Eve and followed with both Protestant and Catholic worship services Christmas morning.
"The camaraderie and fellowship of shipmates can overcome any obstacle," said Conzen. "All of the events we were engaged in over the holiday period came from suggestions from the crew and embarked Marines. Even though the nation's business has us away from our families at home, we can still enjoy the holidays with our 'family at sea.'"
One of the most anticipated events was the gift extravaganza hosted by the ship's MWR committee. The team raises money throughout the year by hosting fundraisers and the ship's store sales. This year they raised enough to spend more than $16,000 on gifts for the event.
"This give away is something that allows the Sailors and Marines to possibly receive a gift for the holidays. The holidays are normally spent with family and loved ones, and this is a little way we can get our 'military family' together to celebrate the holidays," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Evelyn Slater, president of the MWR committee. "It is a big morale booster not only to those who win the gifts, but the ones in the crowd cheering on for their friends. It can be tough to get into the holiday spirit while deployed, so we tried to bring as much of it out as we could. We even had a crew member dressed up as Santa."
Ten percent of all Sailors and Marines on board won gifts at the event, including LCD TVs, iPads, laptop computers, tablets, iPods, digital cameras, Wiis, Xbox 360s, Playstation 3s, Nintendo DSs, portable DVD players, surround sound systems, MP3 players, and much, much more. In addition to the electronics, they also gave away $100 gift cards, and one $800 Navy Exchange gift certificate.
"MWR Committee gets its support from the crew, so without everyone who has supported us throughout the deployment, this would not have been possible," said Slater. "I am very thankful to the crew for coming out and supporting their MWR."
Following the gift giveaway, the crew only had to wait a few hours before they could enjoy an elaborate holiday meal created by Sailors and Marines in the Supply department's S-2 division.
"While away from our families, friends and loved ones, we try our best to make all holidays as special as possible. Providing a great meal with all of the trimmings brings much joy and satisfaction to our crew, and boosts morale and camaraderie," said Lt. Ernesto Ureta, ship's supply officer. "I am blessed to have the best culinary specialists in the Navy on my food service team. The hard-working folks in our galley bake shop and mess decks really bring the holiday seasons to life with their superb culinary skills and talents.
The meal composed of prime rib, roasted turkey, baked ham, fresh-baked rolls, shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, corn and green bean casserole, assorted pies and ice cream, and many more traditional holiday favorites.
"It is my hope the crew takes away a sense of closeness and unity as we share our Christmas meal together," said Ureta. "We are more than a crew or team on this ship; we are a big diverse family that has endured many long days, overcome numerous trials and stand together to serve our country and support each other in all situations."
"The entire Blue/Green Team 41 has pulled together to make this a holiday to be remembered," said Conzen. "We can't be home with our families right now, but we will have many stories to tell them when we get home."
Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts is the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility.
Despite being far from home, different organizations throughout the ship came together to sing Christmas carols, hold worship services, host a gift giveaway, hand out greeting cards, and create an elaborate holiday feast for the crew.
"We have been away from our families for a while now, and coming together as a ship to celebrate the holidays takes some of that sting away," said Cmdr. Eric L. Conzen, commanding officer. "We have grown close over the last nine months. Holiday meals, a very special Christmas Eve mail delivery, an MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) gift extravaganza, holiday routine, and phone calls home are just a few of the ideas the crew had to keep our spirits bright."
On Christmas Eve, amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) delivered 14,564 pounds of mail to Whidbey Island, providing the crew with many long-awaited holiday care packages from home. That night, first class petty officers volunteered to make and serve the traditional Saturday night pizza dinner to the crew, giving the ship's cooks a break before the holiday meal.
"I think everyone did a really great job trying to make the best out of a tough situation," said Engineman 3rd Class Annette Storms. "My favorite parts of the festivities were the gifts and the food, especially the fresh-baked bread."
The crew was also able to enjoy a little down time over the weekend in honor of the holiday. The ship's Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) handed out holiday cards and candy canes. The Religious Ministries department organized a special holiday worship service on Christmas Eve and followed with both Protestant and Catholic worship services Christmas morning.
"The camaraderie and fellowship of shipmates can overcome any obstacle," said Conzen. "All of the events we were engaged in over the holiday period came from suggestions from the crew and embarked Marines. Even though the nation's business has us away from our families at home, we can still enjoy the holidays with our 'family at sea.'"
One of the most anticipated events was the gift extravaganza hosted by the ship's MWR committee. The team raises money throughout the year by hosting fundraisers and the ship's store sales. This year they raised enough to spend more than $16,000 on gifts for the event.
"This give away is something that allows the Sailors and Marines to possibly receive a gift for the holidays. The holidays are normally spent with family and loved ones, and this is a little way we can get our 'military family' together to celebrate the holidays," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Evelyn Slater, president of the MWR committee. "It is a big morale booster not only to those who win the gifts, but the ones in the crowd cheering on for their friends. It can be tough to get into the holiday spirit while deployed, so we tried to bring as much of it out as we could. We even had a crew member dressed up as Santa."
Ten percent of all Sailors and Marines on board won gifts at the event, including LCD TVs, iPads, laptop computers, tablets, iPods, digital cameras, Wiis, Xbox 360s, Playstation 3s, Nintendo DSs, portable DVD players, surround sound systems, MP3 players, and much, much more. In addition to the electronics, they also gave away $100 gift cards, and one $800 Navy Exchange gift certificate.
"MWR Committee gets its support from the crew, so without everyone who has supported us throughout the deployment, this would not have been possible," said Slater. "I am very thankful to the crew for coming out and supporting their MWR."
Following the gift giveaway, the crew only had to wait a few hours before they could enjoy an elaborate holiday meal created by Sailors and Marines in the Supply department's S-2 division.
"While away from our families, friends and loved ones, we try our best to make all holidays as special as possible. Providing a great meal with all of the trimmings brings much joy and satisfaction to our crew, and boosts morale and camaraderie," said Lt. Ernesto Ureta, ship's supply officer. "I am blessed to have the best culinary specialists in the Navy on my food service team. The hard-working folks in our galley bake shop and mess decks really bring the holiday seasons to life with their superb culinary skills and talents.
The meal composed of prime rib, roasted turkey, baked ham, fresh-baked rolls, shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, corn and green bean casserole, assorted pies and ice cream, and many more traditional holiday favorites.
"It is my hope the crew takes away a sense of closeness and unity as we share our Christmas meal together," said Ureta. "We are more than a crew or team on this ship; we are a big diverse family that has endured many long days, overcome numerous trials and stand together to serve our country and support each other in all situations."
"The entire Blue/Green Team 41 has pulled together to make this a holiday to be remembered," said Conzen. "We can't be home with our families right now, but we will have many stories to tell them when we get home."
Whidbey Island is deployed as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts is the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsibility.
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