070910-N-1003P-002 DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti (September 10, 2007) – Marine 1st Sgt. Mark Gonzales, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, hands out school supplies to children at a school in Shapalay Village Sept. 10. The school supplies came from Spirit of America whose mission is to help Americans serving abroad assist people in need. Spirit of America responds to requests from American military and civilian personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa for items that will help local people. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mary Popejoy (RELEASED)

By MC1 Mary Popejoy

CJTF-HOA Public Affairs

DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, September 10, 2007 – After six months of doing civil affairs projects in four different villages, the Marines of 6th Provisional Security Company delivered their last donation of school supplies to a school in Shapalay Village Sept. 10. On hand for the delivery were Marines of 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, who are replacing 6th PSC at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.

The school supplies such as back packs, notebook paper and pencils came from Spirit of America whose mission is to help Americans serving abroad assist people in need. Marines of 6th PSC sent a request for supplies to Spirit of America in June, and just in time before the 6th PSC Marines redeploy back to the states, the supplies came in for them to distribute. Spirit of America responds to requests from American military and civilian personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa for items that will help local people.

“We’ve had a great time here,” said Marine Capt. Tim Matthews, 2nd Platoon, platoon leader. “The people are great and they’ve really appreciated everything we’ve done for them. Marines have a motto of ‘No better friend, no worst enemy,’ so it’s been great to provide the no better friend part to the Djiboutian people.”

For the new Marines in town, being able to be on hand and see the reactions of the children was a great way to kick off their deployment.

“This is a great opportunity for us to make a difference in the children's lives no matter how simple it is,” said Marine 1st Sgt. Mark Gonzales, 3rd LAAD. “It was a great feeling to see the children’s faces light up when they were given their back-to-school items.”

Gonzales went on to say that the humanitarian mission is just as important as their other mission of guarding the camp perimeter.

“Reaching out to people like this is the best way to form friendships and boost the trust and confidence the Djiboutian people have for the U.S. military because their support will help us in our efforts to prevent extremism,” said Gonzales.

Source: CJTF-HOA