| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front |
| Marines make mark in Mazatlan |
| 2004-02-06 |
| It’s always good to lend a helping hand to those in need, especially less fortunate children living in a broken down orphanage in want of repair. Due to a lack of funding, there are not many options available for the orphans here in Mazatlan to improve their living environment. However, fourteen Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and about 30 sailors from the amphibious assault ship USS Denver answered a call for help and provided humanitarian assistance to the "Orfanatorio de Mazatlan," or "Mazatlan Orphanage" here, Jan. 18. The humanitarian project lasted about six hours and was coordinated by Navy Lt. M. Giralmo, chaplain, USS Denver. Marines from MEU Service Support Group 11 (MSSG-11) and sailors from the ship worked together to paint the orphanage’s walls, fix electrical problems and clean up the building. "I’m impressed with their work, their professionalism and their conduct," said Cristina Pena de Herrera, president of the Orfanatorio de Mazatlan. "Their discipline was very evident." When the project was complete, the walls were painted with lighter colors, the lighting fixtures were fixed, the rooms were clean, and the staff and children were extremely happy. "It feels great to help out those who are less fortunate than us and to see the smiles on the little children’s faces," said Sgt. Raymond B. Cotton, radio chief, communications detachment, MSSG-11, 11th MEU. According to Cotton, it was sad to leave the children at the end of the day because of the bond they had made. Hopefully, every time the orphanage’s staff and children enter one of the bright, freshly painted rooms, they’ll think of the Marines and sailors, and smile. According to Cpl. A. Phillip Peacock, computer technician, MSSG-11, 11th MEU, this was the first visit to Mexico for many of the Marines and they were very impressed with the way the locals treated Americans. "We were treated like royalty," he said. "The food and merchandise were extremely inexpensive and the cab drivers were very friendly. Anytime the Marines needed directions or information the locals were very eager to help." I’ve found that in a lot of countries - the media wants you to think that the average joe hates our guts, however, its usually the pseudo-intelligentsia elitists who are doing the whining. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is scheduled to leave on a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. Central and Pacific Commands early this summer aboard three amphibious assault ships, including the USS Denver. This article is off topic for WoT. My intent was to illustrate that stuff like this is going on every day in Iraq & on a larger scale. Ever wonder why the main stream media doens’t report it? |
| Posted by:Jarhead |
| #5 If the CO in those situations had the same discretionary funds to spend as the commanders in Iraq have, it would be fun to see the boost to the lcoal economy that would result from adding extra work farmed out to supporting local contractors. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-2-6 4:49:47 PM |
| #4 SH, big roger that bro'. We helped boku orphanages when I was on my 'far east tour' - Japan, Korea, & Oki. Chaplain's always hooking it up - good deal for the lads to go out and do something constructive. Gives them different perspective on things. We were like minor celebrities over there, much like the UNITAS pulling into town in Venezuala. After community service time it's always good to get back to work blowing stuff up. |
| Posted by: Jarhead 2004-2-6 3:00:45 PM |
| #3 Jarhead, the Marines did that in every port call on UNITAS (the booze cruise.) The Destroyer Tender that I was on did quite a bit of that too - all coordinated by the Chaplain. We did good work. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-2-6 2:34:46 PM |
| #2 The last time the Marines were in Mexico, it was for a different purpose. "the Halls of Montezuma" |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2004-2-6 2:29:55 PM |
| #1 Ever wonder why the main stream media doens’t report it? Lack of body bags. Besides its all a vast conspiracy for Bush to get all the Oil on the moon... I wonder how many Tourists visit this other side of Mazatla? |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-2-6 9:44:32 AM |