Kunsan Airmen show Thanksgiving spirit with South Koreans

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFPN) --  Kunsan Air Base members hosted approximately 60 disabled South Koreans for a traditional Thanksgiving meal here Nov. 10. 

More than 20 volunteers from the Kunsan AB Company Grade Officers Council, Team 5/6 and other volunteers from across the 8th Fighter Wing hosted the South Koreans for a day of games and food. 

The event was a way Kunsan AB members are staying active in the community, said 1st Lt. Bill Chalmers, the 8th Medical Group chief of laboratory services and lead coordinator. 

"This demonstrates to our host nation that we are partners for life," Lieutenant Chalmers said. "We are here to do our mission, but this doesn't mean we can't take time to show the local community that we care. Giving back to the local community is an important part of being in the military. It strengthens our ties with our hosts." 

Since 2001, base members have supported the group, which is from a local chapter of the Salvation Army in Gunsan City, South Korea, said Rosemary Song, the 8th FW community relations chief. 

"We usually go out to help clean their facility monthly," she said. "Beginning last year, we have invited this particular group to have a Thanksgiving meal. Since these people are mentally and physically disabled, being able to have this type of interaction has been therapeutic for them." 

The day began with the volunteers from across the 8th FW hosting the local nationals to various games at the base fitness center. From there, the group was moved to a chapel-sponsored facility where Thanksgiving dinner was served. 

Volunteers for the event said it was a rewarding experience to be involved with this project. 

"I'm here today because I love working with children and people," said Senior Airman Lindsay DeReadt, an 8th Communications Squadron military postal clerk. "We're guests here in Korea and we should take the time and give back to our host nation communities." 

"Giving back is something I used to do a lot back home," Lieutenant Chalmers said . "We hope that this helped to strengthen ties with the local community and help take care of those in need." 

Implemented across the peninsula in 2002, the U.S. Forces Korea Good Neighbor Program encompasses a wide variety of programs that actively engage local community, government, media businesses, university, school and military in order to provide public understanding and appreciation of the American mission on the peninsula.

"The good neighbor program is our way of being able to reach out to the community here. In this particular case, we're making it a point to share the Thanksgiving spirit with them," Ms. Song said.

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