Tacloban City (May 24) -- "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
With this quotation as their guiding principle, troopers of the 20th Infantry Battalion based at Tinambacan, Calbayog City, joined the local government officials of Calbayog City and the US Navy contingent from the USS John S. McCain, in spearheading the Brigada Eskwela in Calbayog City.
In coordination with the Department of Education officials and employees in Calbayog City, the participation of the 20th IB to the Brigada Eskwela 2009 was realized when Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, 20th IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Francis B. Cabugon and Asst. Attache of the US Embassy Hon. Qasim Majied met to chart the activities of the visiting US Navy Contingent having an exercise dubbed as "CARAT 09" or Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, in Calbayog City.
Mayor Sarmiento who chairs the Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas thought that the ready pool of manpower of the 20th IB and the US Navy will be a great help to the week-long Brigada Eskwela.
He then proposed the spearheading of the Brigada Eskwela activities by the LGU, the 20th IB and the US Navy.
With the city government of Calbayog providing the materials for the one-day activity, 50 troopers of the 20th IB led by Lt. Col. Cabugon and 40 US Navy men led by Capt. Choi Heedong, went into a day-long painting of school fences and school cleanliness drive.
Mayor Sarmiento lauded the community service of the Army troopers and the US Navy contingent, as a model in instilling the value of Bayanihan spirit among all the stakeholders which is the true noble objective of the Brigada Eskwela.
The following day, resolved on finishing what they have started, some seventy troopers of the 20th IB continued the painting and cleanliness drive in other schools in Calbayog City.
Such noble soldiers, the 20th IB troopers are. They are the real ones who could say, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." (Rolito Sorila/PIA 8)
1 comment:
I was o Sto Nino island the day prior to these ships stopping in Calbayog City. We were wondering who they were as they headed towards Catbalogan. THe next morning, we could see them coming back up towards Calbayog as we were preparing to take the morning ferry to Calbayog from Takut, Sto. Nino. As we were pulling into the water front, a US Navy small boat passed us heading into the pier to off load some sailors.
In town while taking a trike, we passed the compound where the Navy was being drop off and saw a few sailors. One of them looked at me and wondered to himself what was an American doing there.
As a retired US Navy VET married to a Filipina from Sto Nino island, I am glad to see Calbayog and the surrounding areas get assistance from the Navy. The help they provide is gretly needed especially on the medical side.
In the future when I mcalled Calbayog home, I would hope to meet and assist my fellow shipmates when they are in town. I would hope I will be able to have some of them stop by for a home cooked meal.
I would hope this reporter for whom I enjoy reading his site keeps up the good work in reporting when the US Navy comes to town. On my recent trip, there are still some for whom have a problem with Americans and I wonder when this attitude will change for them.
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