Gearing (DD 710) - Naval Cruise Book

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SQUADRON CHAPLAIN ASST. SUPPLY OFFICER Chaplain Roy A. Propst Shelby, North Carolina SQUADRON DOCTOR ENS. Thomas B. Irwin Duke 59 Nashville, Tenn. Doc Graham

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PEOPLE TO PEOPLE PROGRAM When a ship of the United States Navy crosses the Atlantic to operate with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, she assumes a twofold responsibility. She becomes a guard- ian of democracy for all the countries in the ai ' ea, a deterent force to any idea of armed aggression against one of our allies. Sec- ondly she becomes a good will ambassador, a small part of the United States visiting each port. This second responsibility is the basis for the ship ' s Public Information Program overseas. Not long ago, to emphasize our job as good will ambassadors, President Eisenhower instituted the People to People program for personnel in the armed forces overseas. Essentially this program is concerned with the harmonious social relations between our sailors, soldiers, and airmen and the citizens of the country in which they are stationed or are visiting. It proposes that we get to know our hosts. And conversely, that we always have our best foot forward when with them so that Americans will be well thought of by the people of that countiy. To carry out the People to People program the GEARING did a number of things while visiting the countries of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Besides the friends that we made by just going ashore, some of the moi ' e popular ways of gaining friends were the childrens parties held for oi-phans, the general visiting days, and performances by the ship ' s band. Sporting contests between the ship ' s softball team and basketball team and the local teams also proved to be an enjoyable way to meet new friends overseas. On the following pages we would like to tell you a little about our visits to the countries of Europe and Asia.