BUSAN, Republic of Korea - More than 40 Sailors from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) visited the Sung Ae Won Home for Children during the ship's visit to Busan, Oct. 2.

The Sailors shared the opportunity to enrich the lives of dozens of underprivileged infants, toddlers and young children up to eight years of age who live at the home by volunteering one day of their four day port visit in Busan for a community service project (COMSERV).

Upon their arrival, Sailors were welcomed and briefed by the orphanage staff and later divided into six separate rooms to play with the children.

“The best part of doing this COMSERV was seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces I plan on doing a COMSERV for every port we hit,” said Master at Arms 2nd Class Andrew Williams Peoria, Ill.

While Williams’ goal was to make a difference in a child’s life, others members of the George Washington crew signed up to experience another culture.

“I volunteered because I thought this would be a good learning experience,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handler) Airman Stephen Sobocinski. “Instead of hitting all the MWR tours, I wanted to see another side to their culture.”

The trip to the orphanage was just one of five community service projects George Washington Sailors participated in during the visit to Busan.

Sung Ae Won means garden of holiness and love. The orphanage was founded in 1948 and is one of 150 in the Republic of Korea. The orphanage’s mission is to provide shelter for children who need immediate help, protect them from any hazard and guide them to become good members of society.

This was USS George Washington’s second time visiting Busan, last pulling in on July 21, 2010. As the Navy’s only full-time forward deployed aircraft carrier, George Washington’s mission is to help ensure security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean and work with regional partners and allies of the United States.