2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers Build 'Hopes' for Local Inhabitants

Photo By Master Sgt. Krishna Gamble | Pfc. Emilio Pina, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, and other 2nd CAB Soldiers carry construction pipes during their volunteering work at the Village of Hope, Cheonan, South Korea. These 16 volunteering Soldiers had a great time working for the local community.  

06.24.2009

Courtesy Story

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

USAG HUMPHEYS, South Korea—Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, visited the Village of Hope, Cheonan, South Korea, and helped build houses for local inhabitants, June 24.

The Village of Hope was established by Habitat for Humanity, a nongovernmental organization that builds houses for the homeless. This organization and their activities started to be recognized nationwide in 2001, when Jimmy Carter, the former president of the United States, and his wife visited Asan, South Korea, to promote Habitat's campaign.

This project was completed successfully after building 112 houses for homeless families in Asan and drawing more than 10,000 volunteering visitors in a week. In succession to this project, Habitat started to build the village of Hope in Cheonan, a city near Pyeongtaek, where Camp Humphreys is located.

The 2nd CAB Soldiers have been participating in Habitat's Cheonan project since 2004, visiting the Village of Hope and helping them build houses for homeless families annually. And this year, sixteen 2nd CAB Soldiers volunteered to take part in this housing project.

"[Soldiers from Camp Humphreys] are part of our community," said Jo, Hyang-sook, the volunteering manager of Habitat, Cheonan/Asan region. "They mean a lot to us. They come to help us when we really need help, and it's such a pleasure to work with them. We truly appreciate their hard work."

After a short briefing, Soldiers started to do their job right away. For more than six hours, they fixed walls, reassembled pipes, and helped construction workers. Some Soldiers had a chance to meet Korean college students and befriend them who also volunteered to work with Habitat.

"I didn't know [the U.S. Soldiers] are doing this kind of things for our community," said Yoon, Pil-yong, a third-year student from Hanyang University. "They are fun to work with, and they gave me a good impression about the U.S. Army, too. I think we could build more friendly relationship through this program."

"We should never forget that each one of us is an ambassador representing the Army, and our nation," said Sgt. Carlos Vazquez, a chapel non-commissioned officer of HHC, 2nd CAB, in charge of this Habitat event. "Through this Habitat program, not only can we help community members, but also enjoy the real aspects of this country."

"This would be one of the most memorable experiences during my service in Korea," said Pfc. Brandon Hughes, a medic with HHC, 2nd CAB. The construction of the Village of Hope will be completed by 2012, building 112 houses for more than 500 habitants. And 2nd CAB will continue on their part, proud to be an ambassador of the U.S. Army.

• Date Taken: 06.24.2009
• Date Posted: 06.29.2009 14:26
• Story ID: 35757