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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines working at the Civil Military Operations Center in Marjah have improved Afghan lives during the few short months they have been in Afghanistan.
The Marines arrived in October 2010 and have created and implemented many projects within the Marjah area.
“When the previous team was here, they were still getting shot at,” said Sgt. John D. Strolsnider, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer with Team 1, Detachment 3, 3rd Civil Affairs Group. “There were no roads; it was just a bunch of ups and downs.”
Strolsnider, from Chino Hills, Calif., said now there are paved roads and street lights so the Afghans are able to keep their shops open later into the evening.
“You see people smiling,” continues Stolsnider. “Everyone is warm, they come over to us just to say hello.”
The CMOC, run by only two Marines, have implemented many projects during their tour to include: mosque and bazaar refurbishments, road and school improvements, bridge installations, new wells, canal clearing and are also planning to build a soccer field for the community.
“With the new signs and concrete, the local Afghans have taken pride in the ownership of their shops,” said Staff Sgt. Richard A. Rivadeneira, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge at the CMOC. “That is a great visual improvement.”
The Marines have set up a trash collection project which will be financed for three months by the Marine Corps, but the shop owners have already agreed to pick up payments.
“This way, the project is paid for by the Afghan people,” said Stolsnider. “When people visit this bazaar, it will be the cleanest bazaar out of all of them.”
Not only are the Marines working to help the local Afghans, they are also working to get the district governor an up-armored vehicle so he can travel to meetings without being escorted by the Marines here.
Rivadeneira, from Los Angeles, said the Marines open the CMOC to Afghans four days a week and work countless hours working with the other Civil Affairs teams throughout the area and continue to better the lives of the local Afghans.
“I think that we are giving them their country back,” said Strolsnider. “They are already taking control; they are taking responsibility and we see that every day.”
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2011 04:12 |
| Story ID: | 64865 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 645 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Marjah CMOC making a difference in Afghan’s lives, by Sgt Megan Sindelar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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