American servicemembers continue to provide promise

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (AFNS) --  The poverty-stricken neighborhoods of this bustling port capital of Trinidad and Tobago where crime, drug abuse and murder are facts of everyday life is not a place likely to attract American visitors. But for 15 engineers from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron's Prime BEEF, along with a handful of Sailors from the USS Kearsarge, and security forces from the Trinidad and Tobago military, the attraction to this inner city is one of hope. 

As part of Operation Continuing Promise, the engineers began construction of a new playground in a project at the All-in-one Development Center, just one of several projects during the ship's tour to provide humanitarian and civic assistance to Caribbean and Latin American countries. 

"Knowing that the improvements we do here will have an impact on these kids' lives makes all of our hard work worthwhile," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Nelson, a heating and air-conditioning engineer with the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron from Minot Air Force Base, N.D. "The children are the one thing that's left a lasting impression on me throughout this four-month deployment." 

The engineers have provided hope in an area where there was very little to go around, said Wayne Jordan, the children center's founder. 

"These children don't share the same joys as others do," Mr. Jordan said. "They hardly possess a good pair of shoes and their parents have to ration food. Some of these children don't even have birth papers." 

With about $20,000 in supplies and raw materials, the Prime BEEF team will construct a playground, as well as a new security fence, upgrade the electrical system, plumbing and provide paint repairs to the area. 

"At our job site, people will walk for miles just to see us and watch us work," said Airman 1st Class Jonathan Oliver, an engineer apprentice from Minot AFB. "The kids will smile at us and give us 'high fives' and hugs to thank us for helping them." 

"Seeing the kids' faces when we finish the playground leaves me speechless," said Airman Daniel Pauls, also based at Minot AFB. "It is a great feeling to know that these people appreciate us." 

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