Story by Spc. Taylor Marie Smith, 319th MPAD
HUEHUETENANGO, Guatemala – Dozens of children run around, laughing and playing as they wait for doctors from the Florida Advanced Surgical Transport team to give them check-ups and sign off on their medical records. Soldiers accompany the doctors to provide support and boost morale during the medical readiness training exercise, part of the army’s Beyond the Horizon mission in Huehuetenango, Guatemala, May 24, 2019.
Beyond the Horizon is an annual exercise that combines medical, dental, veterinary and engineering missions to improve the operational readiness of U.S. Forces and reinforce region stability and interoperability with allied forces, which in turn results in tangible benefits to the people of Guatemala. Soldiers with the 121st Chaplain Detachment and 303rd Quartermaster Battalion, and Marines with the 4th Civil Affairs Group all participated in the event to support the doctors and boost morale of the children.
Captain Lonnie Gonzales, a chaplain with the 121st Chaplain Detachment, explained that the partnership U.S. forces have with the Florida Advanced Surgical Transport Team resulted in an efficient and meaningful medical readiness event for the children at the orphanage.
“We made sure that each one of the orphans had their medical records updated and reviewed,” he said.
During the medical readiness event at the orphanage, more than 45 children had the opportunity to receive health check-ups and have their medical records reviewed.
“We're excited to be here,” said Capt. Gonzales. “We're excited to interact with the Soldiers, interact with the nationals, and it's just been a really great experience here in Guatemala.”