The flagship of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, the USS Mount Whitney docked at the port of Klaipeda

[left to right] Lithuanian President Adamkus, Captain Carl Thomas, Ambassador Cloud and Mrs. Cloud  Photo Gallery

As soon as the flagship of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, the USS Mount Whitney, docked at the port of Klaipeda May 31, its captain and crew kicked off a four-day visit to show America's appreciation for the solid military relationship between the U.S. and Lithuania.  Captain Carl Thomas went ashore as soon as the ship was secured to meet Lithuanian naval officials for a press conference to inform media about the purpose of the ship's visit.

The next morning, the captain attended to official office calls meeting with the Klaipeda district governor and mayor and the Lithuanian navy commander. Also that morning, two teams of volunteers from the ship went on community relations projects arranged by Embassy Vilnius and the Lithuanian Navy.

The first project took place at the cemetery of a former prisoner of war camp in Macikai where three American aviators were buried during World War II. Lithuanian and American sailors cleaned, beautified and landscaped the cemetery. Later that day, a commemoration ceremony took place at the American memorial site where Ambassador Cloud and the Lithuanian Navy Chaplain both spoke in remembrance of the three United States Army Air Corps Airmen who were shot down, captured and held at Stalag Luft 6.  The Mount Whitney's commanding officer, the Lithuanian navy commander and both Lithuanian and U.S. navy honor guards also participated.

The second volunteer team from the ship renovated the Caritas Elderly Home in Klaipeda. The project was funded by EUCOM with the U.S. and Lithuanian navies providing the manpower to remove old doors, knock down crumbling walls and landscape the area outside the home. The team worked so efficiently that they completed all the work originally planned for two days in a matter of several hours.

The same evening, the crew of the Mount Whitney welcomed onboard Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Minister of National Defense Rasa Juknevičienė, Lithuanian Chief of Defense Valdas Tutkus, several Lithuanian Parliament members and 150 other guests for a reception.  President Adamkus gave impromptu remarks after Ambassador Cloud spoke, thanking the U.S. for its enduring friendship.  President Adamkus capped off his visit of the ship with a tour guided by the commanding officer.

The next day, another team continued work at the Caritas Elderly Home as additional projects were developed. The Mount Whitney donated food to an orphanage in Juodkrante, with DATT LTC David Millner and the Lithuanian chaplain delivering the donation.  During the ship visit, the U.S. and Lithuanian Navies also played a few friendly football and basketball matches, with the Lithuanians routing the US every time!