Keystone Light The Keystone of Hamkari It is not uncommon for children to sit outside of Combat Outposts. Sometimes they are paid to fill sandbags, sometimes they are paid to pick up trash around the area, and sometimes they are just there because they feel safe -- and know the military is there to help. Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
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Note from our Commodore By Capt. Don Hedrick, Commodore
for our troops and for the local There is a saying that feeling Afghanistani’s for generations to appreciation and not expressing it is come. like wrapping a gift and not giving We are making roadways safe it. Therefore, I need to express and passable. But it’s important that what I have been feeling for quite we all understand that none of those some time – THANKS; and what things could have been possible better time than now to give it since without the continuous support we Thanksgiving is here and Christmas receive from home. is right around the corner. Every time I walk down the hall I want the members of our task I see decorations, pictures and thank force and their families to know how you cards lining our walls sent from thankful I am for their efforts. I am our friends and families to remind proud of the level of professionalism us that they care and are in this they have brought to bear on our fight with us. Those things do not mission. go unnoticed. In fact, we receive As a task force, and one of quite a few things from people we the largest engineering commands don’t even know. Every package is in theater, we have been able to sent with the same overall message accomplish an unprecedented – come home safe and soon. That is level of construction to support my intention for every member of our warfighter’s on the battlefield. this command, I assure you. Our airmen, Marines, soldiers and As the holidays approach, I Seabees are constructing secure and want everyone to find something comfortable Forward Operating they are thankful for and hold on to Bases, building and repairing that thought. I am thankful for our bridges, and drilling water wells Freedom. Very few have it. As we that will provide clean, safe water continue to build the infrastructure Keystone Light The Keystone of Hamkari It is not uncommon for children to sit outside of Combat Outposts. Sometimes they are paid to fill sandbags, sometimes they are paid to pick up trash around the area, and sometimes they are just there because they feel safe -- and know the military is there to help.
Capt. Don Hedrick of Afghanistan and work toward contributing to the future security of this nation of 29 million people, take time to really be proud of what is being accomplished here and know that you all have a part in it. Thank you for what you do, and please don’t stop now. We are on the downhill slope toward the end of the deployment. We are all committed to doing our part to ensure a positive future for this country. Now more than ever we need everyone to stay on course and continue leaning forward.
COMMANDER
Capt. Donald Hedrick CHIEF STAFF OFFICER
Cmdr. Jeff Pierce
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
CMDCM (SCW) Neal Beard PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon ASSISTANT EDITOR
CM2 (SCW/FMF) Chris Gilmer
The Keystone Light publication is designed with the intent to inform family members of recent activities of their Seabees in Afghanistan. None of the material within should be used for any other purpose. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily the views of the U.S. Navy nor the Department of Defense.
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CMDCM Corner: Time to be Thankful Force’s lives here in Afghanistan every single day. Our work as engineers not only “It’s hard to believe we are this allow the warfighters on the front far into our deployment and that Christmas is just around the corner. lines to move freely over the battle I know all of you would love to space, a freedom that provides an spend the holidays at home with your element of surprise and superiority, families and loved ones and that you which translates to fewer coalition miss them. I also know your families force injuries or loss of life, it also and loved ones will dearly miss you makes our troops lives better. Task Force engineers are building this year too. roads, COPs and FOBs that provide What we are doing here in security and as much comfort as we Afghanistan is important, not just for the preservation of our nation’s can muster for the soldiers in the field. Our route clearing engineers role in the Free World, or for the are making the roads safer. More protection of our sovereign soil from radical extremists we label as troops will be going home, for many terrorists, or the peace and security Christmases to come because of them. we hope to soon bring to the Although we are getting closer to Afghanistan people. going home ourselves, we still have Your contributions to the war are saving American and Coalition a lot of work to do.
By CMDCM Neal Beard
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
CMDCM(SCW) Neal Beard Our most important contributions to the war are just ahead of us. Please stay safe, enjoy the holidays ahead and tell your loved ones how much you care.”
Happy Thanksgiving: 3NCR members show off people who keep them motivated
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Chaplain’s Corner By Cmdr. Lewis Dolan, Chaplain, 3NCR
STONES AND WATER: In a rather small community there were three clergy members who became good friends. One was the pastor of a local Baptist church, one was a Catholic priest and the third was a Rabbi. One tradition that these three clergy followed regularly was a weekly fishing trip. Each had his own favorite place to fish, so they would travel together to the various spots as often as the weather allowed. On a particular day, the three friends went to THE PLACE, as the rabbi described it. After a while, the rabbi said to his friends, “Hey guys, I’m almost out of bait. I’m going to get some more bait.” Immediately, he stood up in the boat, stepped over the side of the boat and walked on top of the water back to shore, got some more bait, and returned to the boat in the same manner. The Baptist preacher was absolutely astounded. While he was still pondering this, the Catholic priest also said that he needed more bait as well; and he also stepped over the side of the boat, walked on top of the water, both to and from shore, and brought more bait back with him. Well, this was more than the Baptist preacher’s brain could process. He thought that there must be something about the water in this special fishing lake. So, he told his two friends, “Well I need more bait too, so I’ll be back in a moment.” With that, he stood up, stepped over the side of the boat and immediately went down under the water. He came back up to the surface, grabbed the side of the boat, and climbed back in. “Sorry guys,“ he said, “I’ll try that again.” The second time proved just as futile as the first. As he was sputtering and climbing back into the boat, the rabbi said to the priest, “Do you think we ought to tell him where the stones are?” Indeed, there was a logical explanation, but it also points out how we should be able to talk with other folks and learn to find the places that make traveling through difficult situations easier. In the weeks to come, we will be offering resources to help out our family and service members learn how to better manage the remainder of this deployment, and the coming reintegration of service
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
member with their families. Quite literally, we hope to tell you “where the stones are” to safely navigate the “waters” ahead of us. If I could, let me suggest a couple of “stones” to help with the remainder of this deployment. First, live your life day-by-day. Families who have the most trouble managing deployments and the upcoming reintegration are those that tend to have unrealistic expectations of what life will be like, especially when we return home. Remember, there will be no background orchestra, no swelling love-song theme playing, and no written script to guide us through the rest of the show. Be realistic about your life in the here and now, and in the time to come. Second, recognize the fact that both you and your service member will have changed during this time while we were away. That is reality, and it is OK. Third, use your resources to continue to move forward with the way your life is developing. In the book of Proverbs, the writer notes that, “Man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Prov. 16:9) While a right relationship with God will provide exceptional and timely guidance for our lives, when we truly trust Him will all of our heart, He will work out His perfect plan in our lives. So, how’s your trip back to “shore?” Have you gone in over your head? If so, have you asked others “where are the stones that will keep me above water?” Let’s make sure that, with God as our help, we don’t leave anyone out there, but rather help one another to know where the stones are that help us safely navigate the little “lake” of our lives.
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Petty Officer in the Keystone spotLight
From Cancer to Kandahar By MCC(SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
At 45, she has already outlived her mother by 23 years. That hasn’t proved to be an easy task. She doesn’t know why she is still here, she’s just glad she is. As a hospital corpsman first class in the reserves and a certified medical assistant in her civilian career, it was foreign for Starla Martin to find herself on the flipside, diagnosed with a rare, pancreatic tumor called a glucogonoma, which is an islet cell tumor. She was not afraid to die. She was only afraid that up until that point, she hadn’t quite lived. “I had a husband and three children, but I wasn’t living each day to the fullest,” said Martin, who is currently on deployment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the Third Naval Construction Regiment home-based in Marietta, Ga. “I was a mother and a wife, but I had lost me in all of that. As odd as it sounds, the cancer that could have taken my life ended up saving my soul.” By the time Martin found out she had cancer she had already been sick for months with night sweats, fevers, hair and weight loss and abdominal pain. She was relieved when they finally discovered the tumor that previous CT scans had missed. “A physician I worked with
said to do what previous physicians had said not to do – go out and drink,” said Martin. “That’s what finally tipped it over. I ended up in the second worse pain in my life, full blown pancreatitis. Numbers that were supposed to be below 200 normally, were more than 500. I was admitted and a special MRI of my pancreas was done and that’s when they discovered the tumor. In other words, alcohol saved my life.” The tumor was located on the tail portion of the pancreas and was the size of a golf ball. The day of her surgery her family and pastor were there with her for support, she said. The surgery was suppose to take three hours, but ended up taking six. Martin spent five days, including her birthday, recovering. Within three months after her surgery Martin began singing again, something she hadn’t done since she was much younger. She also began taking dance lessons and even auditioned for the local community playhouse, where she landed a role in ‘Suessical the Musical.’ “I started exercising more and stopped taking small things for granted,” said Martin. The Detroit native also decided that despite the Navy’s apprehension to send her out
Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
of the United States, she would try to get cleared to deploy overseas, a wish that was granted this year. “It doesn’t feel like this deployment to Afghanistan is a risk,” said Martin. “Instead it feels like a reminder of how blessed we are to live in our great country, she added, her brown eyes filled with hope. “I am proud to serve and blessed to be alive.” Martin said that she feels she has come full circle and she is not afraid the cancer will come back. However, if it does, she is ready to meet it head on. As a strong-willed, self-proclaimed fire cracker, nobody can say she doesn’t know what it means to live. And she can finally say she is living.
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Chief in the Keystone spotLight During my senior year of high school, and after visiting every branch of service, I joined the Navy through the Delayed Entry Program. On 13 November 1995, I entered boot camp at RTC Great Lakes. Boot camp was very interesting to say the least. After boot camp, I was transferred to SSC Great lakes to attend Gunner’s Mate “A” school. Upon completion of school I was sent to the USS John L. Hall, a Fast Frigate, stationed out of Pascagoula Miss. From October 1996 to November 1999 I deployed three times and completed the Enlisted Surface Warfare qualification program. I then transferred to the IRR to seek employment with the Chattanooga Fire Department, where my father, uncle and brother worked. I entered the fire academy in July of 2000. After the events on 9/11, I joined the Naval Reserves and was assigned to NMCB 74’s reserve augment unit in Chattanooga, Tenn. When the Navy dissolved the reserve augment units I requested to transfer to NMCB 24 based out of Huntsville, Ala. I deployed two times with the battalion, once in 2005 and then again in 2009.
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
GMC Thompson braids a rope that he will use to decorate the command board.
What are your hobbies? Riding ATV’s, scuba diving and of course shooting.
expertise and management oversight on all weapons and ordnance for four Naval Construction Force units. To whom do you owe your success and why? My father, for instilling the morals and sense of heritage that I go by.
What are your goals while deployed? Have a successful deployment with no issues. Complete and finish my first marathon. I’ve been working on that If you could have done anything goal a little each day. I’ve already else, what would it have been? A run further than I ever have. Navy Diver What are your words to live by? Look for next month’s Chief in the When in doubt, empty the magazine. Spotlight: SWC Mike Edwards
While I was deployed in 2009 I took Can you give me a brief description of what you do? As the orders to 3 NCR for their current Armory Chief, I provide technical deployment.
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Officer in the Keystone spotLight I joined the Navy Reserve as a Direct Commission Officer (DCO) in October 2000; and I recently completed 10 years of service. I had no service prior to joining the Reserves at age 24. My active duty experience includes two deployments; first to Iraq as the NMCB 25/40 OIC of the Task Force Sierra mission, supporting Special Forces and this current deployment to Afghanistan with 3NCR. I tried to enlist in the Navy as a Nuclear ET in 1995, the same time my brother Steve enlisted in the Navy as a CT(M), but I was not medically qualified for the program. I ended up finishing my Civil Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1999. I looked into the Navy again after I had my degree and I applied for a Reserve Civil Engineer Corps commission - one of the best, life changing decisions I’ve made. Joining the Navy is right up there with marrying my wife Lori and getting Lasik surgery! Lori and I have two children, Kyle and Natalie; who are both students at the University of Wisconsin. Back at home, I’m a Construction and Project Management Engineer for the Federal Highway Administration, which is part of the United States Department of Transportation. I have the opportunity to work on major highway infrastructure projects and assist States with cost estimating, project management, and contract administration. What are your hobbies? Traveling with my wife Lori, running, biking, and reading. What are your goals while deployed? Complete first two sections of Air Force Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), run a marathon while deployed and gain experience to better fill an NMCB S3 (Operations Officer) position. What are your words to live by? “You will never be content with what you have until you are happy with who you are.”
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
Lt. Cmdr. David Platz Can you give me a brief description of what you do? Assistant Current Operations Officer (R33A) responsible for the project and resource management of expeditionary base expansion and road construction projects in Regional Command South RC(S), Afghanistan. To whom do you owe your success and why? My mentors throughout the years who took the time to advise me and counsel me to take challenging jobs - “Take the jobs that no one else wants to do.” If you could have done anything else, what would it have been? Nothing, I’m thankful for the opportunities that I have been allowed and the path that I’m on.
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R-43 Dept. in the Keystone spotLight
R-43: Pros in art of equipment mastery By MCC(SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
In a world where time is money, the CESE/Equipment Readiness Division of the Third Naval Construction Regiment/Task Force Keystone in Kandahar, Afghanistan is hoping for a loan. With only five people in the shop and the responsibility for optimizing the equipment readiness for 8 subordinate commands from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the one thing there seems never to be enough of is time. “We provide expert level advice on all aspects of the regiment’s construction equipment including repair parts acquisition, operational capabilities, safety, status reporting, maintenance control and reporting,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class (SCW) David Guild, Leading Petty Officer for the shop. “We also provide the operations department with critical, horizontal project planning and estimating support.” Equipment Operator Chief Scott Packard specifically manages equipment for the Task Force’s Route Clearing Package units, the 20th Engineering Battalion and the 863rd Engineering Battalion. This is a particularly demanding job, as these units are continually evolving to meet the IED threat and the
Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
The members of R-43 taking a moment out of their busy schedule to have their photo taken. R-43 is responsible for all aspects of the regiment’s construction equipment. From L to R: CM2 Chris Gilmer, EOC Scott Packard, EQCM Tim Jufer, EOCS Frank Walther and EO1 David Guild.
mission is extremely demanding on troops and equipment. As an experienced Seabee Chief and a former CSE Commander, Chief Packard appreciates, like few do, how important the RCP mission is, and he wants to do anything he can support these units. “We bring the highest concentration of expert level construction equipment operational knowledge, repair knowledge and experience under one roof in
theater,” said Guild. “This allows us to solve complex, technically challenging issues with a high degree of competence.” But this job comes with a price. The members of the shop typically put in long days, which translate to long weeks. “One of the only things we could do to improve operations would be to add a 25th hour,” said Guild, “and an eighth day of the week.”
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BU3 now has what she can’t build -- a baby Story by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
Deployment has been rough on him. It’s the second one he’s been through since getting married. He looks at his wedding ring. He misses his wife. His thoughts turn to his baby girl. She’s less than a month old. It’s not fair to her. She deserves to have both parents at home, not just her father. He glances at the calendar – only four months until his wife returns from Afghanistan. Only four months until she gets to meet the newborn daughter she only recently found out was hers. Builder 3rd Class Marie Tauai, a builder with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 currently stationed at Forward Operating Base Wilson in Afghanistan, is a new mom. She and her husband are in the beginning stages of adopting a beautiful baby girl. “My husband was given the option of naming the baby,” said Tauai, as she pushes a dark brown strand of hair back in its place. “He chose to name her Marie – after me.” The Western Samoa native knows the difficulties of the adoption process well. Four years ago, Marie and her husband took custody of Josiah, an infant placed in their custody. They were two years into the interminably long and cumbersome process of adoption when their hopes and dreams were suddenly shattered. “My husband was working with a youth program back home in Georgia, and Josiah’s father was one
of the boys he was mentoring,” said Tauai. “He was young and already had three kids. He ended up getting convicted of armed robbery. Josiah’s mother was an addict. She was told her children were going to be placed in foster care.” Tauai and her husband talked with Josiah’s grandparents and mother about taking Josiah to live with them. Everyone was onboard with letting the Tauai’s have temporary custody of Josiah. “We petitioned the state and were granted guardianship,” said Tauai. “Then we began the adoption process.” There was one stipulation. If Josiah’s mother could get her life on track, she would be able to regain custody of her three children. Nineteen months later Tauai and her husband got the phone call. “She was clean and she wanted her son back,” said Tauai, as her brown eyes glassed over. “She had been to rehab, she had an apartment and she had gotten a job. We had no choice. “We were so close. We’d always wanted children, and we thought Josiah was the answer to those prayers.” After the couple lost Josiah, Tauai lost the desire to adopt. She didn’t want to go through that kind of heartache again. “He was my son,” said Tauai. “A piece of me left when he left. I still keep his pictures up and I keep in touch with his family. I want him to grow up knowing that he was
wanted by everyone.” Marie and her husband visit Josiah as often as they can. The hardest part of those visits is saying goodbye, said Tauai. “I hate that we have to keep leaving him all over again; but my hope is that when he grows up he will want to keep a relationship with us,” said Tauai. “She loves that little boy to this day,” said Hospital Corpsman Maria Gonzalez, the Independent Duty Corpsman for NMCB 40. “She said he was the missing piece to making her and her husband a real family – and more than that, having a son made her feel like a real woman.” After Josiah, Tauai and her husband decided to try having a baby themselves. They began fertility treatments. Finally they had to abandon the process. It was getting close to the time for Tauai, who had been in the Navy since 2008, to deploy to Afghanistan. “I deployed once before and left my husband to be a father to Josiah on his own,” said Tauai. “It was Family: Cont’d on next page
Keystone Light Family: Cont’d from last page easier this time because there wasn’t a child at home.” However, all of that was about to change. While Tauai was busy constructing buildings in Afghanistan, her husband was busy constructing their family. Six months into her deployment, Tauai made a call to her husband and got the news. She was going to be a mother again. “My husband went to America Samoa to take his mother to the hospital. While he was there he met a man outside,” said Tauai. “The man had six children, all girls. They began talking and my husband asked him why he was at the hospital.” It turned out that the man’s wife was in labor with their seventh child. Tauai’s husband began talking to the stranger about his and his wife’s struggles in that area. He told the father of six all about Josiah and about the loss they felt. He also told them about the failed fertility
Page 10 treatments. He had no idea why he felt the need to open up, but he did. And then a miracle happened. “This man told my husband that he and his wife were thinking of giving their baby up for adoption,” said Tauai. “In Samoa they don’t have the same technology that we have in the states, so the couple didn’t know the sex of their baby. But if it was a girl, they weren’t planning on keeping her.” Tauai’s husband gave the man his number and said, “please, if it’s a girl, keep us in mind.” The next day he got a phone call. “It was sudden. He didn’t even have time to discuss it with me,” said Tauai. “He had to make a decision. He got a lawyer and we were able to get legal guardianship right away. My husband was able to bring the little girl back to his mother’s house that same day.” When Tauai called home that weekend, her husband was very apologetic. He had made this
Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
BU3 Tauai helps build a project at Forward Operating Base Wilson.
decision without her and had already cared for the baby for a week. He had not yet had the chance to tell her. “All I could think was, this baby was meant for us,” said Tauai. However, it was still hard for Tauai to get her hopes up. She was both skeptical and nervous. “I can only explain it as a cautious excitement,” said Gonzalez of the moment Tauai told them she was going to be a mother. “But we were all ecstatic. She’s such an amazing person, and she’s going to be a great mom.” Gonzalez added, “We once had a person come to the FOB. It was an Army girl that none of us had ever met. Tauai gave her PT gear, took her to the shower area, made sure she was comfortable and had everything she needed. That’s how she is. Everyone is a member of her family.” However, the warrior princess, as she was dubbed by her friends, was still full of doubt. “With Josiah I had a say. I saw him. I knew him,” said Tauai. “I felt like he was my choice. With Marie I didn’t get a choice. I don’t know her family. What if she has special needs? I have so many worries.” One of her biggest worries is her career choice. As an active duty service member, her life, location and schedule are anything but predictable. But Tauai says she will build that bridge when the need arises to cross it! For now she is focused on receiving a package from her husband that includes the first photos of her bundle of joy. “I know it sounds silly,” said Tauai. “But I hope she looks like me.”
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Happy Halloween
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Happy Halloween
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Happy Halloween
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Shebees Can Do By MCC(SW) Terrina Weatherspoon
The Shebees, a women’s mentoring group established by personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18, built bathroom stall partitions and donated female items Oct. 24 for female wounded warriors on Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. The restroom, which was originally for males, was converted to a female restroom and was in desperate need of privacy stalls. “The lock wouldn’t always work and sometimes the females would get walked in on,” said Information Systems Technician Chief Teresa Alvarez, Data Processing Chief for the Third Naval Construction Regiment and a member of the Shebees. “There were already two toilets in the area; we just needed to put up walls and doors.” The partitions were prefabricated by NMCB 18 personnel and were taken to the site the morning of the project. Since only a few of the women had actually used power tools before, NMCB 18 assigned a project manager to walk the Shebees through the steps of putting up the partitions. “Many of us belong to fleet ratings so this was our first time building. It was an empowering learning experience,” said Intelligence Specialist Chief Gaby Buitron, member of NMCB 18
Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
The Shebees are a mentoring group established by personnel from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18. The organization is designed to give women an opportunity to learn from each other. It also provides a chance for women to help each other and better themselves.
and president of the Shebees. “The project went great and we all agreed it was the most fun we have had since we have been here.” The fact that the project specifically helped out the female wounded warriors was a major source of motivation for the girls to don the hard hat. “We were so excited about this project and helping other women that we are researching a fundraising event,” said Buitron. “One idea the Shebees have come up with is to hold a 5K run to spread the word about ovarian cancer.” “I’m excited about the opportunities the Shebees are
providing,” said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Sandra Uptagrafft, 3NCR. “I’ve always liked teaching and helping others better themselves, so when I heard about this organization, I wanted to be a part of it.” The Shebees started off as a mentorship program, but has grown into something much greater. I believe this organization will help women create a bond, help their self esteem, motivate them and help them build a delightful relationship-even through trying times in Afghanistan,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Michelle Trinidad, NMCB 18.
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Seabeelieve -- See the hope, believe in peace Story by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
As part of Operation Seabeelieve, 15 Members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18 donated time and school materials Oct. 30 to the Kandahar Air Field School, Afghanistan, for local Afghan children. Operation Seabeelieve – See the hope, believe in peace – was started by Mass Communication Specialist Chief Leif HerrGesell, public affairs officer for NMCB 18, as a way for NMCB personnel stationed on KAF, and their families, to feel like they were making a tangible difference. “I cleared the idea with my commanding officer and then put the word out through the command and to the families that we needed donations,” said HerrGesell. “I had faith that we would find the right outlet for the supplies. I finally received an email from someone who said they could use the supplies in the city, and I knew I had my connection.” Each Saturday local vendors arrive on KAF to sell their goods at the Bazaar. Their children are able to attend the KAF School where they play soccer, do craft projects, and learn English. Different commands each week volunteer their time and spend the day with the children. “We learned how willing to share and how respectful the Afghan Children are,” said Intelligence Specialist Chief Gaby Buitron, NMCB 18. “They were extremely accepting of us. At one point the
Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
The children at the KAF school spend about an hour studying English before they are released to eat lunch, play soccer and for some, go help their parents sell goods at the Bazaar.
teenage boys were teaching me words in their language and it was so much fun. They would get very excited when I would pronounce a word correctly. Just in that experience, I learned how much of an impression learning a few phrases in Pashtu had on them.” Although more than 30 boxes were delivered to the children at the KAF School, those children are not the intended recipients. “The children attending the school on KAF are wealthy compared to the average child in Kandahar,” said HerrGesell. “That is where the majority of our donations have gone and will continue to go.” More than 45 boxes of materials have been donated to different schools around Kandahar as part of the Seabeelieve program, and more boxes are arriving daily. “My feelings are that I am
making the world a tiny bit better,” said HerrGesell. “More importantly our troops and their families are able to contribute. There is so much that needs fixing in this country and I know we can make a difference; but I’d like to make a bigger one and so would all of our troops.”
Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
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NMCB 40... Deh Dadi II Photos by MCC Mike Watkins
NMCB 40 is stationed at Forward Operating Base Deh Dadi II in Afghanistan. However, the members of NMCB 40, as is the case with most of the battalions, are spread all over the theatre working on projects. These projects include Combat Outposts and route clearance. Here, Seabees are doing one of the things they do best, move dirt!
Around the Task Force
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...NMCB 3 -- Welcome To Leatherneck
NMCB 3, led by Cmdr. Patrick Garin and CMDCM Percy Trent, took over for NMCB 5 during a recent Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. NMCB 5 did a tremendous job, and as the commodore of 3NCR Capt. Don Hedrick said, “NMCB 3 has some incredibly big shoes to fill.” However, he has no doubt they are up to the challenge. Photos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
Around the Task Force
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...NMCB 26... -- Welcome to KAF
Command Master Chief for NMCB 26, Master Chief Daryl Johnson.
NMCB 26, led by Cmdr. Regina Marengo, took over for NMCB 21 during a recent Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. NMCB 21 led the way by doing an incredible job, which included building more than 30 SW SWA Huts and heading up a very tedious project at Mustang Ramp. Photos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
Around the Task Force
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...Linebacker -- Welcome To KAF
Photos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
Linebacker, led by Lt. Col. Joseph Ricciardi and Sgt. Maj. James Rogers, took over for Thor during a recent Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Linebacker is a route clearance team in charge of searching for, and destroying, improvised explosive devices.
Around the Task Force
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Special Thanks To:
Photos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon
Happy 235th Birthday United States Marine Corps HOORAH!
St Anthony’s Catholic Church in VA through anysailor.com; Carnegie Mellon University Football Program; Freedom Alliance; Angels for Soldiers; Julie Desena with Focoredshirtfridays.com; Hamilton County Vets from Noblesville, Indiana; Ron Wilson a Vietnam Veteran; Sean J. Zack from Lafayette Hill PA; Any Books for Soldiers; Operation Write Home; Soldiers’ Angles; Operation Independence; Jack D. Mc Hugh; Kendra Linkowski; Volunteers from Operation: SAM; Pat Leazenby; Project Prayer Flag; Robert Esquinas; Stephanie Azar; Molly’s Adopt a Sailor; Sam Lamberson; the Ombudsman for USS Cape St. George; Desert Angels Inc.; Hayley Leigh, the MBA Social Media Coordinator; Military Mission Inc.; Brea Senior Center/VFW/Ladies Aux VFW; Boatsie’s Boxes who sent full Christmas stockings to each member of 3NCR THANK YOU ALL!