Saipan is USS Sampson’s last stop

Posted on Nov 06 2017

Tag: Chalan Piao, Hopwood Middle School, Saipan Chamber, Western Pacific

The USS Sampson made a port call on Saipan last week, its last stop in its deployment in the Western Pacific. While on Saipan, over 300 men aboard the ship were able to do a few hours of community outreach.

On Oct. 31, USS Sampson and the USS Bunker Hill moored at the Saipan port for a four-day port call before departing for their naval base in Everett, Washington.

According to USS Sampson commanding officer Tim LaBenz, he and his crew ventured to Saipan for repairs and get settled before heading back out to sea.

The servicemen aboard the USS Sampson and USS Bunker Hill did their community outreach at the Hopwood Middle School in Chalan Piao.

Labenz said that they were also able to meet with other organization like the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In a tour of the USS Sampson, students interested in enlisting in the Navy were given a close look at the ship’s bowels.

Marianas High School students Patricia Surimaleg and Jemimah Colegio said the tour excited them even more into enlisting in the Navy.

Kimberly Bautista Esmores | Reporter

Kimberly Bautista Esmores has covered a wide range of news beats, including the community, housing, crime, and more. She now covers sports for the Saipan Tribune. Contact her at kimberly_bautista@saipantribune.com.

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