By Cpl. Kevin M. Knallay, Combined Joint Information Bureau
KORAT, Thailand (May 17, 2008) – About 30 service members participating in Exercise Cobra Gold 2008 volunteered their time at a local orphanage here May 17 to donate school supplies, sporting equipment and toys.
The visit was just one of many community relations events during Cobra Gold to allow service members to interact with the citizens of Thailand and bolster international relations between the U.S. and Thailand. Cobra Gold is an annual, combined, joint humanitarian assistance and military training exercise between U.S. military forces and the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
Service members with the exercise’s chaplain’s office found the Ban pak dek chai Ratchasima Orphanage, which is home to more than 120 boys, days before the visit and were inspired to come back and help.
“We asked them what they needed and in a few days we raised about 15,000 Baht, (approximately $470) from ourselves and other [service members],” said U.S. Navy Lt. Greg Cates, a base chaplain with Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “Then we went out and bought all the school supplies, soccer balls and other toys for them.”
The children's reaction when supplies were handed out made the day worth while for many of the service members. U.S. Army Sgt. Shannon Post, with U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, said that seeing the kids’ reaction was her reason for volunteering.
“It was great handing out school supplies to so many kids,” Post said. “They were so happy to receive just a few simple gifts.”
Playing with the children was the highlight of the day for other service members.
“We would pick the kids up by our arms and they are all smiling, laughing and clinging to you. It just makes you feel great,” said U.S. Senior Airman David Johnson, the assistant voice instructor with the Joint Communication Support Element, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. “It’s all about those moments,” he added with a smile.
According to Cates, these types of interactions with the Thai people, is an aspect of Cobra Gold that is just as important as any of the military-to-military training.
“It’s very important to help out the Thai community,” he said. “We aren’t here to just do our thing and go home. We come here to help build bridges and great relationships with the people here.”