MONETGO BAY, Jamaica – A Portsmouth, N.H.-based Coast Guard cutter crew painted two community centers June 6, 2009, while on a mid-patrol break here.
A crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance and the Montego Bay Rotary painted the Flankers Health Clinic in the community of Flankers, St. James, Jamaica, and the Central Basic School in the community of Norwood, St. James, Jamaica.
The Flankers Health Clinic provides free immunizations and emergency medical care for the entire Flankers community. The Central Basic School provides young neighborhood children with an education and opportunity to better themselves and their community.
The children welcomed the Reliance crew by helping them paint and challenging them to a race around the grounds. The cutter’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Greg Burg, also took the children to a local ice cream parlor for an early afternoon treat, at his personal expense.
“The Jamaican people have been so welcoming to Reliance and the U.S. Coast Guard in general,” said Burg. “It was a pleasure to be able to contribute to the local communities and have a great time in the process.”
