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    Engineer Unit gives more during Beyond the Horizon mission

    Engineer Unit gives more during Beyond the Horizon mission

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shana Hutchins | U.S. Army Reservists from the 372nd Engineer Company, stand in formation and listen to...... read more read more

    U.S. Army Engineers from the 372nd Engineer Company, a reserve unit out of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, stand in formation and listen to the students of St. Matthews Government School outside of Belmopan, Belize, sing their national anthem during the morning assembly May 2, 2017.

    The Soldiers are constructing a new classroom building for the school as a part of Beyond the Horizon 2017. BTH 2017 is a partnership exercise between U.S. Southern Command and the Government of Belize designed to improve health and educational facilities by providing five construction projects and three health care events in the districts of Cayo, Stann Creek and Belize.

    The engineering crew awaits the chance to interact with the kids and present a duffle bag filled with sports equipment they brought from their home station. Soldiers from the 372nd gathered, purchased and transported various pieces of athletic equipment they hoped the children would enjoy. They did this on their own, without input or direction from their first sergeant or company commander.

    “These Soldiers are looking to make a difference and help out,” said Capt. Robert Kraemer, commander of 372nd Engineer Company.

    Some service members brought in sports equipment their sons and daughters used when they were younger.

    “This is my son’s first soccer ball, he has out-grown. I knew I was coming here and wanted to give some of the equipment my kids no longer use to kids that will play with it,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Salm, St. Matthews project non-commissioned officer in charge. “I hope the kids will have a little fun and and get some enjoyment out of the equipment.”

    Staff Sgt. Donald Traindl, St. Matthews project quality control NCO, has participated in four previous Beyond the Horizon operations and purchased toys throughout the years before heading out to the different missions.

    “There is so much we take for granted back home. These kids are playing soccer with a volleyball,” said Traindl. “I like to give back a little bit and make the kids smile.”

    Along with today’s gifts of sporting equipment, the team continues working the St. Matthews site for BTH 2017. Their initial scope of work for expanding the school’s classroom space is now complete and they have started the next phase of construction, the plumbing and foundation phase for the expansion of the school’s restroom facilities.

    “The Soldiers have gone above and beyond our expectations,” said 1st Sgt. Kail Dvorak, first sergeant of 372nd.

    While in Belize, the crew discovered additional projects they could fulfill to contribute to the BTH operation, such as; adding a step to a classroom doorway where there is approximately a 20 inch drop to the ground and pouring a new concrete slab in the food service area where the children receive their daily meals.

    “This mission has given us (leadership) the opportunity to give guidance on a project to the troops, give them leeway to take that project and watch them grow something from the original task to something great for a community,” said Kraemer.

    The 372nd is currently building two medical clinics, located at Ladyville and Double Head Cabbage in addition to the project in St. Mattews. They are handing off all of their projects to their incoming counterparts, ahead of schedule.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.08.2017
    Date Posted: 05.18.2017 16:25
    Story ID: 234348
    Location: BELMOPAN, BZ

    Web Views: 198
    Downloads: 3

    PUBLIC DOMAIN