On April 6, 2015, volunteers from the crew of the USS Kauffman (FFG 59) volunteered with the Foundation for the Elderly and Nursing Home Care on Aruba (Stichting Algemene Bejaardenzorg Aruba or S.A.B.A.) to revitalize two buildings that are home to many of the senior citizens living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Aruba.
The volunteers spent the morning painting the nursing home in Oranjestad and supporting the remodeling of the nursing home in Maris Stella. The volunteers enjoyed meeting with local Arubans and lending a helping hand to the community that has warmly welcomed the ship and its crew to Aruba.
The United States Navy guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman has been in port in Aruba since April 3, 2015 and will depart on April 7, 2015. The USS Kauffman departed Naval Station Norfolk in January for the ship’s final deployment and operates in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.
During the USS Kauffman’s final deployment, the crew will support the United States Southern Command and the Joint Interagency Task Force South’s Operation Martillo.
The operation’s goal is to suppress the illegal drug trade in the Caribbean, Central America and South America by conducting drug trafficking interdiction operations.
The USS Kauffman is named after Vice Admiral James L. Kauffman (1887–1963) and his son, Rear Admiral Draper L. Kauffman (1911–1979), both experts in sub-surface naval missions.
She is scheduled to be decommissioned on September 21, 2015, the last Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship in American service to be deactivated, ending the type of vessel’s 40-year history in the United States Navy.
S.A.B.A. was founded in 1972 as a retirement home and grew over the years as a nursing care facility. The foundation current manages three homes: a nursing home Oranjestad in the San Pedro and St. Michael pavilions, a nursing home Maris Stella at Savaneta, and a nursing home in San Nicolas. S.A.B.A. is Aruba’s largest provider of care for the elderly and provides care to 255 residents.
Bron: U.S. Consulate General Curacao