“The ship has 215 crew members and they will be leaving Saipan on Saturday,” Military Veterans Affairs Office executive director Ruth Coleman told the Variety in a telephone interview.
The crew will be at Sugar King at noon today to participate in a community activity.
Coleman said the crew of USS Rentz, under the leadership of Cmdr. Dave Glenister, will be meeting with Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela today.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce will host dinner for the ship’s crew at the Revolving Restaurant 360 Saipan tonight.
“There will be an exchange of plaques,” Coleman said.
As part of the ship’s visit, a fundraising program will be conducted at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post tomorrow night which will feature such prizes as golf sets, hotel accommodations and meals.
“Proceeds from the fundraising will go to support the military assistance program,” Coleman added.
The VFW military assistance program is the outstretched hand between the VFW and active duty, Guard and Reserve military units.
Coleman said the program offers grants to VFW posts that participate in military unit functions, including farewell and welcome home activities, the Family Readiness Group, and other events.
Commissioned in 1984, the USS Rentz was the 40th ship to be constructed in the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of guided missile frigates of the U.S. Navy.
The Rentz was named after World War II Navy Chaplain George S. Rentz (1882–1942) who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for selfless bravery following the loss of USS Houston in the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was the only Navy chaplain to be so honored during World War II.
