Photo By Maj. Sarah Mobilio | U.S. Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force and U.S. soldiers with Black Sea Area...... read more read more
Subscribe
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania – The U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force did not celebrate July 4th in a common fashion. Instead, they, along with U.S. soldiers with Black Sea Area Support Team, opened up the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania to hundreds of local children, July 3 to have them join in on the celebration.
The children are part of group homes that fall under the Child Protective Agency of Romania. The Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force have an enduring partnership with the Child Protective Agency of Romania by giving their time during various events throughout the year.
The Independence Day of the United States of America is no exception.
“We are here right now helping orphans and displaced children as being part of this children’s day. Not only that, but it is our Independence Day as well. It is truly and thoroughly American,” Livada said. “Being a corpsman especially, I feel I get to help people with their minds, their bodies and their souls. This is no exception.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Alec Livada, hospital corpsman with BSRF and native of Dayton, Oh., was helping a local Romanian child with her baseball glove and teaching her the fundamentals during the Fourth of July celebration before he joined in on the baseball game.
“The great part about being in the Navy, and especially and working with Marines around the world is that we are afforded an opportunity to do something that most militaries don’t get to do which is humanitarian assistance,” explained Livada. “Truly, Americans want to help people, no matter what. The American military is not just about war, it is about peace, and keeping the peace."
Whether it is through helping with environmental disasters, policing actions, or through a static display at an event in the local community, the U.S. military is there to support.
“It’s a great opportunity for the Romanian kids to come and meet the U.S. Marines, to talk to them and have a great time,” said Silvia Verbedian, a translator and community relations coordinator for BSRF. “Also, it is a good opportunity for them to practice their English because some of them really speak English well.”
Language was not a barrier, nor were the sporting skills of many of the kids who participated in activities such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and a dunk tank – just to name a few. The July 4th celebration also included a few static displays of military vehicles provided by the U.S. Army.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” said U.S. Army Sgt. David Potter, 463d Firefighting Detachment aboard the air base, who was helping to supervise the fire truck display. “We are having fun letting the kids see the different equipment we have here, and seeing what we do on a daily basis.”
The children were served traditional U.S. barbeque food and a slice of an American flag cake as a way to top off the celebration.
| Date Taken: | 07.04.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2015 04:57 |
| Story ID: | 169612 |
| Location: | MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, RO |
| Hometown: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Happy Fourth of July from Romaina!, by MAJ Sarah Mobilio, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT