USS Harpers Ferry in the NEWS!

My baby boy is out there doing his thing – Based in Sasebo Japan they’re now on their way doing a “good deed”

Proud Navy Mom passing on the news to you all – Continue to lift up our men & women of the armed forces in your prayers for their safety while they protect & serve our nation as well as others

Marine Corps News

USS Harpers Ferry to transport five donated ambulances to southern Philippine provinces

Oct. 18, 2006; Submitted on: 10/18/2006 06:59:04 PM ; Story ID#: 2006101818594

By Lance Cpl. David Rogers, 31st MEU

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (Oct. 18, 2006) –

U.S. Sailors from the Essex Amphibious Ready Group along with embarked U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are helping a U.S. foundation transport five ambulances from Subic Bay Freeport to the southern island of Zamboanga in the Republic of the Philippines as part of Project Handclasp.

The 3P (Promotion of Peace and Prosperity in the Philippines) USA Foundation, a Seattle-based, non-governmental agency has purchased 14 Ford F350 ambulances from American Medical Response, an ambulance service provider out of Boston, so that the ambulances can be donated to places throughout the Philippines in the effort to bring better medical supplies and capabilities to the more disadvantaged provinces.

Five of the ambulances were loaded on to a landing craft utility for transport to the USS Harpers Ferry Oct. 18 so they can be further transported to Zamboanga and later distributed among the southern provinces of Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi Tawi in coordination with the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines and the U.S. Embassy, Manila.

"We're really grateful that we have the opportunity and the lift capabilities to do this for the foundation," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Marlin Anthony, captain of the USS Harpers Ferry.

The ambulances have undergone extensive preventative maintenance since their arrival in Manila last month from Boston, where they were purchased from an AMR location. Armando De Rossi, a co-founder of 3P Foundation, has spent a total of about $280,000 in the purchasing, shipping, and maintenance of the 14 ambulances.

The ambulances will be given to their appropriate recipients during official turnover ceremonies later this year said Rossi. He also has great confidence that once the ambulances are delivered to their final destinations they will save a lot of lives.

The 3P Foundation has also built schools and community centers, and donated books and medicals supplies to the people of the Philippines.

"We're just here to promote the good will of America to the Philippine people, and to show the Filipinos that the United States cares," Rossi said.

The other nine ambulances will be distributed by the 3P Foundation to other provinces throughout the country.