Puerto Vallarta government officials, the Mexican Armada and the local Navy League Council welcomed the USS Jarrett to our fair city last week.

All agreed it was the most productive and entertaining visit by a U.S. Navy or Coast Guard vessel in recent memory. Most ships stop for a brief R&R visit, though most also perform community service at local orphanages, schools and other public and non-profit facilities.

But the Jarrett took it to another level, by also delivering eleven pallet loads of donated medical supplies, hosting an on-board reception for about fifty local officials and Navy League members, attending a reciprocal party hosted by the Navy League the following night, and embarking thirteen family members and friends of crew mates who had traveled down to Puerto Vallarta to travel back to San Diego aboard ship. It was definitely a 3-day visit with non-stop activity that dazzled and impressed all involved!

The Jarrett's community relations project was performed by fifteen volunteer sailors at the Asilo de Ancianos (home for the elderly) in Pitillal. They repainted a good portion of the interior, sealed exterior walls and repaired a leaky roof.

Ten Navy League volunteers assisted, as did the staff of the facility. Residents sat by to watch in wonder, as enthusiastic young sailors worked with great energy, yet found time to interact with residents the age of their grandparents. It was international diplomacy at its finest.

Another group of volunteer sailors accompanied Navy League members in offloading and delivering eleven pallet loads of donated medical supplies from Operation Handclasp headquartered in San Diego.

These donations cleared Customs and were sent to a number of local medical and charitable facilities including the Red Cross, Santa Barbara Rehab Center, RISE, the Regional Hospital and Casa Hogar, where they'll be put to good use in serving the needs of some of Puerto Vallarta's most cherished charities.

The shipboard reception hosted by the Jarrett was attended by more than fifty city and state officials, the U.S. Consular Agency, the Mexican Armada, the U.S. Naval Attache from Mexico City and a number of local Navy League members.

An ice sculpture created by the ship's crew in the shape of a dolphin complimented excellent hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Ship tours were made available, and of course conversations in both English and Spanish were heard among all in attendance.

Fortunately the Jarrett found dock space adjacent to the Mexican Navy Base, so invited guests were spared a long boat ride and boarding in rough seas. No one got seasick, leaving the ship's medical contingent free to enjoy the festivities.

The Navy League sponsored cocktail/dinner reception the following night was attended by more than sixty guests, including thirty officers and crew from the Jarrett and an equal number of Navy Leaguers. It was held at the home of a Navy League member, providing an ocean and mountain view at sunset and beyond.

Gifts were exchanged between the Jarrett and the Navy League, including a ship's plaque and an "admiral's cap" emblazoned with the Jarrett name. Often heard among the guests from the Jarrett was a pledge to return to Puerto Vallarta someday, either aboard a Navy ship or on vacation. Some even mentioned a desire to get married in our little corner of paradise.

In any event, Puerto Vallarta was on display at its finest, and hopefully tourism will get a small boost from this and other visits so graciously hosted by the Navy League.

Lastly, but perhaps most exciting, the Jarrett welcomed thirteen visiting family members and friends of crew members who had flown down to Puerto Vallarta to accompany the ship back to San Diego. This is known as a "Tiger Cruise," and is offered by all Navy ships every few years to build a closer family understanding and commitment to the hard job Navy sailors experience throughout their careers at sea. While in Puerto Vallarta, the visiting family and friends were hosted by the Marriott CasaMagna Resort in the Marina.

The USS Jarrett is a guided missile frigate with a crew of 200 officers and enlisted personnel. It displaces over 4,000 tons, with a length of 445 ft. and a top speed of 30 knots. The Jarrett is over 40 years old, and is scheduled for decommissioning and possible sale to a foreign government later this year.

In its glorious past, it has served throughout the world, from its home base in San Diego. In 1998 she became the first U.S. warship to be commanded by a female (Captain Kathleen McGrath). It's named for Admiral Harry Jarrett, a World War II hero.

Many thanks to Captain Ferdinand Reid and his crew for visiting our port city, and contributing well beyond the call of duty to the welfare of some of our less advantaged fellow citizens.

The Puerto Vallarta Navy League provides an opportunity to socialize as well as "give back" to our local community. For more information, visit VallartaNavyLeague.org.