Boardman seaman tours to help needy

He had a chance to see and experience how people live in other parts of the world.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

Leaving your job behind to spend months on a ship cruising the Atlantic to tropical, remote Caribbean locations sounds like an ideal vacation dream for many. For the son of a Boardman woman, the scene became reality when he boarded a Navy amphibious assault ship on a mission of bringing humanitarian aid and civil assistance to people in need.

Navy Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Troymaine Lawson, son of Debra Kennedy of Boardman, was one of more than 1,400 service members aboard the USS Kearsarge in support of Continuing Promise 2008, a four-month deployment to provide health-care services and infrastructure improvements to the people of Nicaragua, Colombia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

Though Kennedy hasn’t seen her son for a year, she said he has a “positive attitude” and enjoys the work he is doing.

“I’m proud of him and proud of the fact the he chose the Navy,” said Kennedy of Lawson, who is normally assigned to the Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.

Working alongside partner nation officials, Lawson and his fellow shipmates delivered veterinary services and provided general and special surgical care, primary care for children and adults, dental care, assistance in setting up local public health systems, immunizations, food, water, and sewage system assessments.

“My son has always been very respectful not only to me, but to others,” said Kennedy, acknowledging that Lawson’s trait served him well on his tour around the world.

Engineer teams provided construction and renovation assistance, while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to develop solutions and foster lasting bonds of friendships with the countries that they visited.

“I have done many different and diverse job assignments during this mission. Mainly, I have helped out with the loading and unloading of supplies that are being used in the different countries,” said Lawson, who graduated in 1999 from Calvary Christian Academy, Youngstown. “I am also a member of the ship’s basketball team. We have shared in friendly competition with each host nation, building brotherly bonds that will last a lifetime.”

The partnership of Lawson and the other service members on board — along with other government agencies and nongovernmental organizations such as Project Hope and Operation Smile — enhanced the crew’s ability to bring the much-needed care to the people of these Caribbean countries. It also allowed Lawson the opportunity to gain valuable job and life experiences.

“I am getting priceless experience by being exposed to these different cultures,” he said.

Visiting these various countries, lush with palm trees, tropical plants and flowers, and pristine beaches, has provided Lawson a chance to see and experience how people live in other parts of the world.

“Trinidad and Tobago is a beautiful country with tropical greens and great weather. The people are very warm and friendly,” said Lawson.

Amid the lush tropical beauty, Lawson and his fellow service members found areas of abject poverty, far removed from the world most vacationers ever see.

“The thing that has left a lasting impression on me was the looks on the people’s faces who we have helped. Seeing them has taught me to be more appreciative for what I have,” Lawson said.

Although traveling to the various countries was an adventure, sleeping in berths, being transported by helicopter or landing-craft unit to the inland each day, and just living in general on the 844-foot-long USS Kearsarge, were new experiences for some, and just routine for others.

“Being on the Kearsarge has been a very challenging but rewarding experience,” he said.

For Lawson, who has been in the military for more than three years, and those men and women serving with him, cruising the Caribbean will provide a promise of hope that will leave a lasting impression on those most in need.

“He’s literally been all over the world,” said Kennedy, who is thankful for Lawson’s safety during his travels.

Lawson returned to the states on Tuesday and will be coming back to the Valley for the holidays, Kennedy said.

“Last time he was here was November [2007] for Thanksgiving,” said Kennedy — who is looking forward to making her son his favorite dishes upon his return.