Photo By Master Sgt. Lynette Hoke | Spc. Blong Kong, carpentry/masonry specialist, 851st Vertical Engineer Company mixes a...... read more read more
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RACINOVIC, Croatia - A team of around 30 Minnesota National Guard Soldiers form the 851st Vertical Engineer Company based at Camp Ripley, recently packed their hammers and tools for a humanitarian project in Racinovic, Croatia.
Spc. Blong Kong, a carpenter/masonry specialist from East St. Paul, Minnesota, joined the three-week mission to help rebuild the roof of a local community center.
“I really like the fact that we can help the people in the community here and rebuild the center that they enjoy time together as a village in,” said Kong.
Kong and his unit will have less than twenty days to finish the project. Flooding last year, which devastated the entire area, damaged the building. Since the soldiers have been in the area, they have been able to visit with the people of the village and sample the local cuisine.
“I really enjoy being able to eat on the economy and try new foods,” said Kong.
The construction has continued regardless of the weather or holidays and all of the people on the job site have worked 12-15 hour days to help ensure the job is done on time.
“To be able to physically see the progress being made is really rewarding,” said Kong. “I look forward to seeing the final stages completed.”
The project was funded by the Minnesota National Guard State Partnership with Croatia and the U.S. European Command’s Office of Defense Cooperation in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb.
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.29.2015 02:20 |
| Story ID: | 168456 |
| Location: | HR |
| Hometown: | ST. PAUL, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Soldier Stories - Spc. Blong Kong, by MSgt Lynette Hoke, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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