Roark (FF 1053) - Naval Cruise Book

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if Visitors, Visitors The flow of visitors never seemed to end in Port Vila, New Hebrides. Over three thousand people turned out and waited in the sun for hours to get aboard the American ship. X- 88 W l SOUTH PAC 79 was truly an adventure for everyone aboard. As the month's rolled by, ROARK crewmembers discovered what it was that had lured sailors to this part of the world for centuries. Beautiful tropical scenery, exciting recreational facilities, and a people eager to make new friends combined to make a deployment seem like a vacation. However, in the midst of the receptions, bus tours, and swimming parties, there was still a job to do. One of ROARK's primary missions for the cruise was improving U,S, relations with the people of the Southern it i W-.i if 5. i' .vw , 53' Welcome Aboard pamphlets were prized as souvenirs in most ports and were given to everyone who came aboard for a tour. 1

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ii - I I I Suva, Fi ji 'V SFE' Many ROARK crewmembers felt the urge to get involved and help the disadvan- A taged people of Fiji. The result, seven 1 volunteer work groups were sent out into the field during the four day visit in Suva to assist the numerous charitable institutions located throughout the area. The jobs performed were as varied as . the institutions which needed them. At one location some workers tore down the old wall of a dormitory and replaced it with a new one while others painted showers and cleaned the ventilation screens of a kitchen area to allow smoke to get out. At a small children's home, crewmembers dug holes and installed a new fence around a garden. At still another location, volunteers cleaned and painted furniture and put on a show of American guitar playing and singing. V of ,- ...L is i. ji 2 il i V if 1 ji .J I' is if . . in Q .. - .S 1, ff adm, V . M - ' fl ,, AL Y , .V '4:21:f.,,.., 'j'--ug. . -, g 1. , ,A I .. ,W I F V- az M ,MLM-I trim: Mllpgfjr ..H:L,.L, M ,-. ,.,,VV ?jf7',iWI?lJAA Suva, Fiji ROARK was in Suva, Fiji from February 12 to 15. As in previous port visits, the ship was opened for visitors in the afternoon. Unlike the first stops in Apia and Port Vila however, relatively few visitors came aboard. Which was due largely to the fact the Fijians are used to seeing American ships. Nevertheless, interest in the ROAFlK's visit was I high. Local newspapers heralded the arrival of the , ff ship's unbeaten basketball team which was scheduled , ,lf to play the local all stars in the city's main arena. The ,L .2 'iffy-5 ROARK coach la former academy great?j was iwwiz-g':,3 interviewed by the local press. ROARK was asked to field teams in everything from soccer to lacrosse. A friendly rivalry accompanied each match and it became obvious it really wasn't important who won or lost. What was important was the friendships which took place. ROARK got underway February 16 with the best wishes of the Fijian people and a still unbeaten basketball team. N -A -,, P.