BASRA, Iraq – The spirit of holiday giving carried well past the New Year thanks to a team of four U.S. Coast Guardsmen, two churches back in the states and a little initiative called Operation Mailbox.
The Port Advisory Coordinating Element, a group of U.S. Coast Guardsmen based in Basrah, delivered approximately 30 boxes of supplies for women and children at the Women’s Assistance Center in Umm Qasr Jan. 4.
James Robertson, commander for the PACE team, received help in carrying out Operation Mailbox.
“I have been involved with some various missions that went into Umm Qasr bringing in medical goods and other humanitarian supplies,” Robertson said. “Those were all arranged by other organizations. This is really the first one that we have coordinated.”
Conducting missions like this is not new to the Coast Guard, though their primary mission in Basrah is to provide security for the port city of Umm Qasr.
“This is something that falls in line with our core values: honor, respect, and devotion to duty,” said Lt. j.g. Franklin Bullock. “Taking the initiative outside of our mission is something common throughout our organization.”
Though the mission was a success, the team had concerns during the planning stages Considering the donations were coming from churches, Robertson wanted to avoid any kind of religious clash. To do that, his team used guidelines established by a similar operation called Samaritan’s Purse where donated items were non-denominational.
“They want to make sure that it is just good will giving and not preaching,” Robertson said.
Bullock also felt that if they helped the city, the town itself might also aid in their mission. “We’re showing good faith toward the Iraqis,” Bullock said. “It is good for them and it is good for us.”
Observing the WAC’s condition, Robertson said he felt something had to be done and they were in a position to help.
“It was an initiative.” Robertson said. “I was moved by the conditions (of the facility) and I wanted to make things better so I did this all on my own.”
Because their mission involves the ports in Umm Qasr, Robertson said seeing and interacting with the people often, had created a close relationship between them.
“We are just glad to do this. This is something that we can give back to the community.” Robertson said. “We are really excited to make this place just a little bit brighter.”
| Date Taken: |
01.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
01.09.2011 07:57 |
| Story ID: |
63253 |
| Location: |
BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: |
79 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, The Spirit of Giving: Women’s Assistance Center receives much needed supplies, by CPL Eve Ililau, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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