Chabert dukes it out in Baton Rouge
May 16, 2018
WHAT’S blooming: TERREBONNE GARDEN CLUB
May 17, 2018
SASEBO, Japan-A Houma, Louisiana, native and 2015 H.L. Bourgeois High School graduate is serving in the U.S. Navy with U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka (USNH Yokosuka), Branch Health Clinic (BHC) Sasebo.
Hospitalman Devan Cortese is serving with BHC Sasebo, operating out of Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy hospitalman is responsible for the prevention and treatment of disease and injury, assisting health care professionals in providing medical care to personnel, conducting preliminary physical examinational, and maintaining treatment records.
Cortese is proud to serve in the Pacific and fondly recalls memories of Houma.
“I learned how to respect otters from my father,” said Cortese. “If you can’t learn to respect others yon can’t get the job done right.”
Moments like that makes it worth serving around the world ready at all times to defend America’s interests. With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment, explained Navy officials.
BHC is a branch health clinic of USNH Yokosuka. Yokosuka and Sesebo together are the largest U.S. military treatment facilities on mainland Japan. Branch health annexes axe located at Camp Fuji and Hario, while Branch health clinics are located in Iwakuni, and Atsugi in mainland Japan; Chinhae. Korea on the southern tip of South Korea; and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
“You make a difference every day.” said Deputy Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Joey Dodgen. “We are the most prepared, highly trained and the most capable force in the Indo Pacific. Our carriers, amphibious assault ships, aircraft and most importantly, our people, are ready today to face regional challenges and lead our Navy’s forces in this theater, just as the officers and Sailors of 7th Fleet have done for 75 years. So thank you for all that you do.”
The hospital provides all medical, dental, and emergency services. BHC Sasebo strives to be the premier provider of healthcare to active duty forces and their families in the In-do-Asia-Pacific region through Joint Partnerships.
“I love being stationed here, there’s so much to see and do in Japan,” said Cortese. “I enjoy working at this command because I enjoy helping families and spouses of those deployed.”
Cortege is also proud of his job as an X-ray tech. He takes pride in his job and treats everyone with care, knowing that he chose the right career field.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s meet relied-upon assets. Cortese and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Joining the Navy has helped me grow as a parson,” said Cortese. “I enjoy being with this command because we are such a close-knit family.”
Seventh Fleet, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2018, spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South. Seventh Fleet’s area of operation encompasses 36 maritime countries and 50 percent of the world’s population with between 50-70 U.S. ships and submarines, 140 aircraft and approximately 20,000 sailors in the 7th Fleet.
