Packages include words of encouragement and hope for the sailors recovering from tragedy

RK shipped 14 boxes of personal hygiene items, socks and snacks to the sailors aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Fitzgerald.

Sailors aboard the ship are working toward recovery after a Philippine container ship collided with the U.S. Navy destroyer in June. The sailors are dealing with the shock and grief of losing seven shipmates. The accident destroyed a berthing area and sailors had about 60 seconds to vacate their berthing.  Many of the sailors were asleep and awoke to the sea water rushing into their racks.  They vacated their racks with only the clothes they had on and lost all their personal belongings to the sea. 

“I had a chance encounter over the 4^th of July holiday with a sailor friend who had served on the USS Eisenhower,” said Lisa Griffin, RK legal assistant and coordinator of the firm’s troop shipment program. “After telling me how thankful she and her shipmates were for the care packages we sent last year and how [the packages] made their seven months on the ship much, much easier, she told me about the sailors on the USS Fitzgerald,” Lisa explained.

After learning about these sailors, Lisa coordinated an emergency troop shipment to help them.“I think they need to know we are thinking about them,” she said. “Our Tampa office, led by paralegal Susan McClugage, also participated and had some help from the SeaCadets. The young members collected items and wrote personal letters to include in the boxes.”

The boxes were prepared and mailed on July 12 and should be received by the sailors in a couple of weeks.