Marines visit, play with Thai orphans

Photo By Sgt. Paul Robbins | Lance Cpl. Ashley E. Johnson, a 19-year-old intelligence specialist from Delran, N.J., attached to Combat Logistics Battalion-31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, asks children from the Pattaya Orphanage how their lunch tastes during a visit here, Feb. 17. Twenty-five Marines and sailors spent a few hours entertaining the children after completion of the 31st MEU’s participation in Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability with the Royal Thai Marines and other participating nations as well as preserve their friendship.  

PATTAYA, THAILAND

02.17.2012

Story by Cpl. Jonathan Wright 

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit       

PATTAYA, Thailand — With the training regimen for exercise Cobra Gold 2012 at an end, a handful of Marines and sailors, rather than spending their time and money during liberty hours, decided instead to pay a visit to an orphanage here, Feb. 17.

Approximately 25 Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, spent the latter half of the day entertaining the children of the Pattaya Orphanage, selflessly giving their time after two weeks of constant training.

“This isn’t a ‘volun-told’ situation, we wanted to come here and interact with the children,” said Pfc. Justin Tallo, a motor transport mechanic with CLB-31. “And although I for one don’t have any kids, it’s still a great time to be out here with them.”

Arriving at the orphanage in the early afternoon, the Marines first visited the children three years and younger; nearly half of the 172 orphan population. While most of the Marines may not have children of their own, every one of them interacted wholeheartedly.

During the time with the younger orphans, the older children were returning from school, joining the youngsters in their unique playtime with the Marines. Although the Marines visit the orphanage a couple days every year during exercise Cobra Gold, it leaves an everlasting impression on the children.

“The Marines’ visit brings obvious joy to the children and they talk about the Marines for months afterward,” said Siriphen Limsirikul, assistant director at the orphanage. “Bringing essential items to the orphanage is nice, but the warmth the children feel from the Marines is more important. They remember the past visits and look forward to the next one.”

The visit comes shortly after the conclusion of the various multi-national combat exercises among the various participating nations of Cobra Gold. The ease in which the Marines switch gears from combat training to local children interaction is nothing but natural.

“We want to ensure that the places where we conduct combat operations understand that we don’t just engage in war exercises, but also care about the local people,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nick Hamilton, chaplain for the 31st MEU. “The U.S. military has been a humanitarian force in every historical conflict, so we continue by interacting with local children and doing projects that benefit the community.”

Toward the end of the night, the Marines executed drill movements called by one of the children, sang songs and wrapped up the visit with a break-dancing competition.

When the time came for the Marines to leave, the originally apprehensive children were hard to remove from the woodland-garbed visitors, an effect that meant as much to the children as it did to the Marines.

“It was a very special trip for us,” said Lance Cpl. Deunte Williams, administration specialist with CLB-31. “We get to see kids who don’t have what we take for granted, so it humbles us as well. I just hope that our visit helped them out in the end.”

Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2012
• Date Posted: 02.17.2012 10:26
• Story ID: 84010
• Location: PATTAYA, TH