2nd CAB Soldier supports ROK community

Photo By Chung Il Kim | Capt. Philip McBroom, the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Chaplain’s assistant, poses after receiving the Global Proud Person Award on Oct. 18 at the National Assembly Building in Seoul, South Korea. McBroom started a program where Soldiers from the 2nd CAB volunteered at the Paju Orphanage in Paju City.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

10.21.2015

Story by Chung Il Kim 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - High profile celebrities who frequently appear on Korean TV gathered at the National Assembly Building in Seoul, South Korea for the "Global Proud Person Award 2015" ceremony. Cameras flashed everywhere to capture photos of the different famous singers, actors, CEOs, senators, the chief of police, the ambassador of the Angola, and many more.

In the middle of the celebrities, a proud Talon Warrior with his Army service uniform stood tall. Capt. Philip McBroom, the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade chaplain’s assistant, was one of the awardees Oct. 18 during the ceremony.

The accolade was given to someone who contributed to the welfare of the public and bettered society in various areas such as politics, culture, art, science, sports and more.

Capt. McBroom won the award for his sincere devotion and support to the children at the Paju Orphanage for the last year and a half during his time in 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade. McBroom and the battalion chaplain’s assistant at the time, Yeontak Lee initiated the 3-2 GSAB's monthly visit to the Paju Orphanage.

The Paju Orphanage in Paju city, Gyeonggi province was founded in 1958 with the help of U.S. Soldiers. The institution takes care of 68 kids from 4-18 years old. It was supported by U.S. Soldiers from Camp Stanton that was once located in Paju. However, when Camp Stanton was removed from the area, the Soldiers' support for the orphanage ceased from early 2000 to 2014.

"My KATUSA Soldier Yeontak Lee used to teach English at the orphanage and he proposed if we could restart the community service for the orphanage," said McBroom. "Although the trip to Paju from Camp Humphreys is a 3 hour drive, I believed that it was meaningful for us to continue the legacy our senior Veterans planted."

Soldiers painted the worn-out playground, decorated flower gardens, cleaned up every corner of the orphanage, and even built new furniture like book shelfs for the orphanage.

According to McBroom, the Soldiers with children back in the states feel compassionate for the children at the orphanage and young Soldiers can learn the joy of helping others and console the stress of being deployed to a foreign land.

"Every time I visit the orphanage, I feel very gratified and humbled to see the kids responding to us," said McBroom. "I also bring my sons to the service and help them to learn to give and share what they have with others."

McBroom will be leaving the Army this November and plans to go back to Fairbanks, Alaska, his hometown. He will pursue civilian ministry work as a pastor and also become a police officer. Although he is leaving, the 3-2 GSAB will continue to support the Paju orphanage.

• Date Taken: 10.21.2015
• Date Posted: 10.20.2015 22:10
• Story ID: 179464
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR
• Hometown: FAIRBANKS, AK, US