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    24th MEU, USS Iwo Jima volunteer in Norway after successful exercise

    24th MEU, USS Iwo Jima volunteer in Norway after successful exercise

    Photo By Sgt. Margaret Gale | Marines and Sailors build a toy shelf in the Veterans Moter Veterans Home in Oslo,...... read more read more

    OSLO, 3, NORWAY

    11.15.2018

    Story by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale 

    24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

    OSLO, Norway – Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) lent a helping hand to organizations in Oslo, Norway Nov.14 and 15, 2018. The MEU established a stronger bond with their Norwegian hosts by assisting in the construction of new paddocks for the Stalla Dorati Riding Club, refurbishing the Veterans Moter Veterans home, and interacting with Norwegian Veterans.
    The service members were allowed to have liberty in Oslo during a port visit after the successful completion of exercise Trident Juncture 18. Some of the Marines and Sailors decided to donate their free time Nov. 14 to assist Christina Dorati Bjerkasholmen, the Stalla Dorati Riding Club manager, prepare her riding club for the upcoming winter. The service members worked with Dorati to restore rotted fence posts and built new paddocks. The participants were enthusiastic and eager to help.
    “As soon as I found out about this opportunity to help out a stable, I immediately signed up.” Said Petty Officer Third Class Andrew Crum, a watch commander with USS Iwo Jima. “It reminded me of the farm I grew up on and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help.”
    Service members were able to assist in the upkeep of the stables that only Bjerkasholmen and a few others maintain throughout the year. Dorati’s riding club frequently hosts family events for veterans in the community.
    “It’s important for the Sailors and Marines to see a different side of the country, interact with locals, and see how they live,” said Lt. Cmdr. Harold Woodruff, the chaplain for the 24th MEU. “These community relations events are very tangible and beneficial to the community. Although Trident Juncture is over, these events are still pieces to the puzzle. We were allowed to display our military capabilities during the exercise and now we are able to show our good hearts.”
    Volunteers also visited the Veterans Moter Veterans home to assist in general maintenance throughout the facility and interact with Norwegian veterans Nov. 15. Service members conducted general cleaning, built a toy shelf for veterans’ children, installed a new entertainment system, and shared a meal with Norwegian veterans and families associated with the organization.
    The home is a non-profit organization established five years ago when Norwegian soldiers lost a team member. When they returned home they had no support system to cope with the experience. A group of soldiers then created Veterans Moter Veterans to aid in the transition to civilian life. The organization is open to everyone and provides a space for veterans and their families to spend time and host events.
    “We are extremely grateful and honored for the USS Iwo Jima to come to our facility and volunteer their time,” said Cmdr. Frederikke Lysgaard, a liason officer with the Royal Norwegian Navy. “As former soldiers, they saw what [the Marines and Sailors] were doing and wanted to honor that they are defending their country as well. It doesn’t matter what country you come from, a soldier is a soldier and we are on the same team. I really hope that this continues with future ships that come in.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.15.2018
    Date Posted: 11.16.2018 12:59
    Story ID: 300267
    Location: OSLO, 3, NO

    Web Views: 373
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN