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U.S. Marines assigned to the 4th Provisional Security Company, stationed with Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa in Djibouti, work together to clean and rebuild a soccer field outside Camp Lemonier. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa photo |
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U.S. Marines Help Rebuild Djiboutian Soccer Field |
The project, which involved removing trash, smoothing and marking the field and adding nets to goal posts, was time well spent, according to the Marines. |
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By U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Omar Villarreal Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa |
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti, May 18, 2006 — Fifty U.S. Marines with the 4th Provisional Security Company here helped rebuild a soccer field recently at a small local village.
"It’s good to see we were able to make a difference in some peoples lives. When the locals came out and helped us work on their field, we knew how they felt."
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Richard Christian |
The company, stationed with Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, has been deployed in Djibouti since March and provides force protection for the camp.
“We noticed the soccer field needed a little help,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Garth Massey, 4th Provisional Security Company executive officer. “And we decided we were up for the challenge.”
The project, which involved removing trash, smoothing and marking the field and adding nets to goal posts, took the company about four hours to complete. It was four hours well spent, according to the Marines.
“We needed to do this,” Massey said. “When you see people who can benefit from small things it is only right to provide what you can when you can.” |
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Kellogg, Brown and Root provided the nets and marking equipment, but the Marines and locals worked together to make the effort a unifying experience.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Richard Christian said he felt gratified the work his fellow Marines put into rebuilding the field was appreciated by the local community.
“It’s good to see we were able to make a difference in some peoples lives,” Christian said. “When the locals came out and helped us work on their field, we knew how they felt.”
With a mission focused on conducting operations and training in order to assist host nations establish secure environments and regional stability, this is only a small improvement project that Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa servicemembers have participated in, but one that is no doubt happily received.
Other projects the task force is involved in include digging wells, visiting orphanages, building schools and clinics, and providing medical and veterinary assistance to Horn of Africa communities. |
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