Saturday, August 22, 2009

Hammer, nails, bit of paint builds bonds

Lance Cpl. Melaos Tmetuchl, a combat engineer with combat engineer platoon, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares a pillar with a Cambodian soldier for a clinic in the Kampong Speu province, Cambodia, Aug. 9. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Cordero).

Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Cordero
Source: US Marines in Japan


KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia (August 21, 2009) -- Wide-eyed smiling faces line the gates outside a medical clinic in the heart of rural Kampong Speu Province. They gather there every morning to wave at more than 25 Marines and sailors with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, who are working toward renovating the clinic.

The Marines and sailors started the project Aug. 5 as part of the Cambodia Interoperability Program, an effort of U.S. and Cambodian governments to improve relationships and strengthen the bond between U.S. and Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. The program is scheduled to run until the end of August.

The Pechmony Medical Clinic supports local Cambodians and treats more than 20 patients daily who have general sickness, infections or are expecting mothers, according to clinic staff.

Engineers working at the clinic are scheduled to make several infrastructure improvements including replacing tiles and ceilings, and repainting the building to improve appearance.

Plans also include constructing an annex consisting of two rooms to increase space for clinic staff, according to Sgt. Kyle B. Blumenstock, the platoon guide and foreman at the site.

"We want to help the medical facility provide more care for the people," Blumenstock said.

One improvement staff members are looking forward to is electricity, a luxury many take for granted but the clinic has not had, according to clinic staff.

"We are very grateful for the Marines' presence," said Neat Bounthoul, a member of the clinic staff. "Their work will help a lot right now. They will really make the place more welcoming."

The site is one of two medical centers Marines and sailors are restoring in Cambodia.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

GOODSTUFF

Anonymous said...

Thanks Obama and Hilary Clinton administration. Very nice of you.
KHMER USA

Anonymous said...

yes, couldn't greed more. khmer people would like to see more and more US/cambodia cooperation in all fields. who says you can't become friends and allies. the past was history; let both our countries focus on the brighter future together. thank you and may god bless the USA and cambodia. khmer/american friendship forever.

Anonymous said...

god bless cambodia.