The son of Monroeville residents spent the Fourth of July making a Navy port visit to St. Lucia.

Keith Novak, son of Thomas and Debbie Novak of Monroeville, is a chief petty officer and gunner's mate aboard the guided missile frigate USS Simpson. Novak and 200 shipmates spent the six-day port visit presenting Project Handclasp donations to Salvation Army and Red Cross, conducting Subject Matter Expert Exchanges with St. Lucia Marine and regular police departments, volunteering at a local school and enjoying the sights and hospitality of the Caribbean island nation.

The focus of the visit was Theater Security Cooperation, designed to build and strengthen alliances and friendships with Caribbean and Latin American nations, develop partner nation capabilities and preserve the ability to respond multilaterally to safeguard U.S. security.

Sailors delivered donations of sewing machines, medical supplies and toys to the local Salvation Army and Red Cross and a team of 20 sailors helped paint, repair and refurbish Gordon and Walcott Memorial Methodist School, where they also spent some time with students and presented a plaque commemorating their visit.

"I think the kids really appreciated our sailors coming out to the school," said Novak, a 1998 graduate of Gateway High School.

Topics of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges included fuel/lube oil testing, hull repair, weapons maintenance, law enforcement and medical matters.

The crew hosted a Fourth of July reception aboard the ship that was attended by the island's governor general and prime minister; Mary Ourisman, U.S. ambassador to the eastern Caribbean; and other local leaders.