CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti — During a short visit, March 26, members of Top Brass, a Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, played with students from the National School for the Protection of Children and at the Community Development Center 5 in Djibouti City, Djibouti, helping lift children's sprits and building lasting impressions through music.
Accompanied by over thirty Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who are currently deployed to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Top Brass traveled first to Boukoul Elementary School, entertaining and interacting with orphans from the National School for the Protection of Children. The band played American classic music pieces for the young audience while other children participated in a soccer match with the Marines from the 24th MEU.
"It was a hot day at the Boukoul School, but it was a great experience," said Petty Officer 1st Class Bruce Mansfield, the Top Brass band leading petty officer.
Later that same evening, an excited crowd of young Djiboutians welcomed the members of Top Brass at CDC 5. A group of boys playing basketball on the CDC's playground put down the ball when the quintet started playing their instruments.
"It has been a long time, maybe ten months or more, since a band from Camp Lemonnier came here to perform", said Nima Abdi, coordinator at CDC 5.
For Mohamed Farah, the elder watchman at CDC 5, this was the first time he could see American service members performing for the community.
"This is a special occasion for our youngsters to know about American culture," said Mohamed Farah, the Deputy Director of the Youth at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. "They [young people of Djibouti] see America and Americans through violent movies and urban music. It is good for them to see what Americans are in reality, just like these musicians," he added.
The band played for an hour, engaging the crowd with explanations of the various instruments while introducing the tunes they were to play. At the end of the show, the kids in the audience shook hands with the band members and joined them for a group picture.
"The CDC was great," said Mansfield. "We got to play a twilight performance and had a little more time to interact with the children and some of the young adults. The kids really enjoyed it when we played some local music and they started to dance. This was the eighth African country Top Brass has visited in the last three months, for many of the members it was their first time to Djibouti, and it couldn't have been a better experience."
Abdi thanked the musicians for their performance and wished there would be others opportunities for her CDC to welcome bands from CLDJ.
Camp Lemonnier provides, operates and maintains superior service to meet the needs of regional tenant commands, and facilitate operations in the Horn of Africa, while promoting positive relations between the United States and African nations. Visit our Web site at www.cnic.navy.mil/cldj.
| Date Taken: |
03.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
04.02.2010 09:08 |
| Story ID: |
47589 |
| Location: |
CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: |
257 |
| Downloads: |
195 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Top Brass Music Performances Bridge Language Barriers in Djibouti, by CPO Frank Montellano, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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