Lance Cpls. Bentley Martin and Derreck Moore, both combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, measure and cut boards Aug. 15 during an engineering civil assistance project at the Ma'Ahad El-Muhajirin Islamic Center in Cambodia's southern province of Kampot. The project is part of the Cambodia Interoperability Program, which is intended to build on the relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian governments and develop interoperability between U.S. forces and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. (Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke).
Sgt. Bradley Wood, a combat engineer, finds a curious bunch of boys anxious to help as he fills a generator with fuel at the Center. (Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke).Unit builds bonds during civil assistance project
By Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke
US Marines in Japan
KAMPOT PROVINCE, Cambodia (August 24, 2007) -- In a modest, peaceful compound deep in the rural, southern farmlands of Cambodia's Kampot Province, August 15 was a day for smiles.
Residents of the Ma'Ahad El-Muhajirin Islamic Center had reason to smile as they warmly welcomed Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, who came to complete several renovations during a two-week engineering civil assistance project.
The detachment of mostly Marine combat engineers also consists of medical and dental personnel who will provide medical care and preventive medicine training for residents during the project.
The engineers will make several infrastructure and cosmetic improvements at the center including rewiring and improving the electrical equipment that powers the center, installing ceilings in classrooms and ceiling fans in the center's mosque, and painting.
The center is an Islamic school for high school graduates from Cambodia's Cham, an ethnic group of Islamic people in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.
The project is part of the Cambodia Interoperability Program, which is intended to build on the relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian governments and develop interoperability between U.S. forces and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Nasiet Ly, an English teacher at the center, welcomed the American humanitarians during a small opening ceremony.
"We are very thankful for the help, and we hope to build on the warm relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian people," he said.
Gunnery Sgt. Kirk Taylor, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the project, followed Ly's remarks, echoing his message of goodwill.
"We're excited to be here helping the Cambodian people," he said. "We hope the friendships we build here will last for generations to come."
The project marks the second time in two years that MWSS-172 has conducted a civil assistance project in Cambodia. In October 2005, the unit completed construction on the Kompong Chhnang Friendship Clinic, a medical clinic in Kompong Chhnang Province that is staffed by local medical personnel.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia relayed a message from Chargéd'Affaires Piper A.W. Campbell, praising the Okinawa service members for their role in enhancing the relationship between the two countries as well as the Muslim community.
"Providing assistance to Cambodia's Muslim population is an important part of the United States government's outreach efforts here, and we sincerely appreciate the significant contributions MWSS-172 has made to this ongoing commitment," Campbell said.
Residents of the Ma'Ahad El-Muhajirin Islamic Center had reason to smile as they warmly welcomed Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, who came to complete several renovations during a two-week engineering civil assistance project.
The detachment of mostly Marine combat engineers also consists of medical and dental personnel who will provide medical care and preventive medicine training for residents during the project.
The engineers will make several infrastructure and cosmetic improvements at the center including rewiring and improving the electrical equipment that powers the center, installing ceilings in classrooms and ceiling fans in the center's mosque, and painting.
The center is an Islamic school for high school graduates from Cambodia's Cham, an ethnic group of Islamic people in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand.
The project is part of the Cambodia Interoperability Program, which is intended to build on the relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian governments and develop interoperability between U.S. forces and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Nasiet Ly, an English teacher at the center, welcomed the American humanitarians during a small opening ceremony.
"We are very thankful for the help, and we hope to build on the warm relationship between the U.S. and Cambodian people," he said.
Gunnery Sgt. Kirk Taylor, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the project, followed Ly's remarks, echoing his message of goodwill.
"We're excited to be here helping the Cambodian people," he said. "We hope the friendships we build here will last for generations to come."
The project marks the second time in two years that MWSS-172 has conducted a civil assistance project in Cambodia. In October 2005, the unit completed construction on the Kompong Chhnang Friendship Clinic, a medical clinic in Kompong Chhnang Province that is staffed by local medical personnel.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia relayed a message from Chargéd'Affaires Piper A.W. Campbell, praising the Okinawa service members for their role in enhancing the relationship between the two countries as well as the Muslim community.
"Providing assistance to Cambodia's Muslim population is an important part of the United States government's outreach efforts here, and we sincerely appreciate the significant contributions MWSS-172 has made to this ongoing commitment," Campbell said.
2 comments:
We Khmer welcome you back into Cambodia shrinking land, please help us to protect Khmer land from YUONS(Vietcong) swallowing and please do not running away from us by abandon all Khmer people to the communist's hands of Vietcong and Khmer Rouge like on the 12th of March 1975 again. The communists had slaughtered us in millions without mercy.
May God bless you in Cambodia.
Woodhy & Rachel
Khmer people be aware that Hun Sen agents and his followers are penetrating our communities around the US and the world. Some of them are monks from Cambodia. They come here not to do the buddhist practice but spy for Hun Sen government and Youn Hanoi. Monks in Wat Khmer Maryland, Wat Willow in Long Beach, etc... How can these monks do the wrong things by supporting Hun Sen who killed a lot of people and let Hanoi do whatever they want in Cambodia? If we have these type of people who can't think straight, We will lost our land and country to Hanoi control. How many stupid Khmer will wake up and see reality. They said Hun Sen is an effective leaders as Sihanouk. But too many Khmer people who think straight, will see these regime and Khmer king are destroying Cambodia and its people.
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