Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alicia Leaders | Two Panamanian boys wait to perform a cultural dance during the presidential visit at...... read more read more
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PUNTA PENA, Panama – Top heads of Panamanian state visited a Continuing Promise 2010 medical site and USS Iwo Jima in Punta Pena, Panama, Oct. 4, 2010.
Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli; Vice President Juan Carlos Varela; Phyllis M. Powers, U.S. ambassador to Panama; and Franklin Vergara, minister of health, visited medical and dental professionals providing humanitarian aid to Panamanian citizens at the Punta Pena school before touring the large-deck, amphibious ship anchored off the coast of Chiriqui Grande, Panama.
“From the bottom of my heart, there are no words to thank you for this life-changing magical operation,” said Martinelli. “We’re thankful for everyone here who has helped improve the daily lives of the people in Panama with medical and humanitarian assistance. There are many nations in the world with armies and businesses, but very few offer the type of help the United States does.”
Service members arrived off the coast of Chiriqui Grande, Sept. 27, 2010, to provide medical, dental, engineering and veterinarian assistance into the green lands of Panama. During their time in Panama, mission personnel went ashore and established three medical sites, three community relations events, two engineering sites and provided a roving preventative medicine and veterinarian team.
“I’m very excited to be here to observe in person all the hard work that Continuing Promise 2010 has been doing,” said Powers. “I’m impressed with the number of people we’ve been able to help, and I’m moved by what I’ve seen today. I won’t forget the image of the members of our armed forces.”
In less than one week, members of CP10 provided medical and dental assistance to more than 4,000 Panamanian citizens, immunized more than 800 animals and continued work on construction projects in local schools and community parks. The CP10 team is scheduled to finish the 10-day mission, Oct. 7, 2010.
“One week ago, this Continuing Promise mission came to the beautiful shores of Chiriqui Grande, and I pledged to you then the work of our heads, our hands and our hearts as a true demonstration of the strength of our commitment to you (Panama).” said Navy Capt. Thomas M. Negus, commodore of CP10.
Before his departure, the president and distinguished visitors walked throughout the medical site, shaking hands of service members and observing current medical and dental operations. Shortly after, they geared up and flew in CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters (from the Aviation Combat Element of the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force) to the USS Iwo Jima and toured the ship in continuing to learn about the CP10 mission.
“Our international and multi-organizational team has formed great partnerships with Panama,” said Negus. “For it is through our partnership that we best experience the magic of Continuing Promise that turns knowledge into understanding, neighbors into friends, and sweat and effort into hopes and dreams. Thank you for allowing us to serve with you and continuing our promise.”
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2010 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 57529 |
| Location: | PUNTA PENA, PA |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 8 |
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