Photo By Master Sgt. Jon Holmes | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Daniel Escobar, a Marine with Task Force Koa Moana 21, I Marine...... read more read more
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Marines with Task Force Koa Moana 21, I Marine Expeditionary Force, joined students from Palau High School and members of the U.S. Embassy in a cleanup event in observance of World Clean-Up Day in Airai, Republic of Palau, Sept. 25, 2021.
Each year, hundreds of organizations from embassies to schools, organize and participate in local cleanup events related to World Clean-Up Day. For the Republic of Palau, an island country known for its pristine waters and shimmering sands, keeping the island clean is a matter of pride.
“Palau is known as a pristine paradise,” said Rochelle Thomas, a teacher at Palau High School and an advisor to the theater and arts club. “We have a strong desire to keep Palau clean.”
The Marines with Task Force Koa Moana 21 supported that desire. The group began at 9 A.M. at the U.S. Embassy to Palau and walked toward the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge picking up trash and debris along the way.
“I think it’s very important for Marines to set an example in cleaning and supporting Palau,” said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Gabriel Cosio, a supply Marine with the task force and a native of Fresno, California. “It shows we care, and we are glad to be here in this beautiful country.”
Keeping the island clean is valued by many Palauans, including the students.
“Palau is a small island, and it’s very important to us,” said Kaye, a 17-year-old student at Palau High School. “If we can’t keep it pristine, it wouldn’t be the Palau we know.”
In addition to these community events, Task Force Koa Moana 21 will be conducting engineering, medical, and explosive ordinance disposal subject matter expert exchanges and exercises to reaffirm the U.S.’s commitment to the Compact of Free Association and to the people of Palau.
Task Force Koa Moana is designed to strengthen and enhance relationships between the U.S. and partner nations/states in the Indo-Pacific Region while remaining COVID-19 safe. Task Force Koa Moana 21 has the unique opportunity and privilege of working with the Republic of Palau as a sign of the U.S. commitment to the people of Palau and its partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific Region.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2021 03:03 |
| Story ID: | 406979 |
| Location: | AIRAI, PW |
| Hometown: | FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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