Photo By Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Licea | U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Santiago shows a local boy a paddle ball game during a recent...... read more read more
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SANTA RITA, Honduras - A U.S. Army Reserve civil affairs team assisted members of the Honduran Army, Honduran governmental and non-governmental organizations to bring medical aid to the town of Santa Rita during a Medical Civic Action Program June 30.
The soldiers, who are assigned to the 478th Civil Affairs Battalion, based out of Perrine, Fla., are part of the Civil Affairs Engagement Program, run by U.S. Southern Command, Special Operations Command South and the 350th Civil Affairs Command. The team worked with the 14th Infantry Battalion of the Honduran Army’s 105th Infantry Brigade to coordinate the event, said Sgt. 1st Class David Everage, of Pensacola, Fla.
“One of our goals here is to enhance their Civil Affairs capabilities,” Everage said. “They [Honduran army] understand that this is their opportunity to interact with the local people. We’ve been teaching our counterparts about our military values – like honor and respect – and they show them in their interactions with the public.”
The team, which includes Sgt. 1st Class David Everage, Sgt. Omar Ortiz, of Fort Meyers, Fla., Spc. Chris Hurley, of Plant City, Fla., and team leader Capt. Benjamin Santiago, of Louisville, Ky., began the yearlong mission in October. In that time, they’ve put together several events, which helped thousands of Hondurans in dozens of remote and often underserved communities across the Central American nation.
“It’s an honor to be serving in the U.S Army Reserves, and go on a special missions like these, bringing relief to the disadvantaged in areas filled with poverty and crime,” said Ortiz, who has a Honduran heritage.
Although each of the soldiers is Civil Affairs-trained, all started their careers and have deployed in other career fields. Santiago, who had been deployed as a construction engineer and as a member of a military transition team during two deployments to Iraq, said that it enhances the team’s value.
“The idea in Civil Affairs is that each team member contributes unique skills, which make us more efficient and well rounded as a team.” Santiago said.
All of the team members have fully dedicated themselves to their mission. When Hurley joined the team in January, he didn’t speak any Spanish. As a medic, he wanted to make sure he did everything he could to communicate with his patients to ensure they got the best care possible.
“When I got here, I started studying Spanish two hours a night and taking classes online,” Hurley said. “Now, I’m almost fluent.”
The MEDCAP drew thousands of Hondurans to the local school from Santa Rita and surrounding communities where the assistance took place. Doctors were on hand to examine patients and distribute prescriptions at a pharmacy that the Civil Affairs team set up.
MEDCAPs are organized to help a large group of people and it’s possible that over 10,000 people could show up in a single day said Hurley. During this event there were approximately 8,300 Hondurans in attendance.
Additionally, activities were conducted in unused school classrooms for people with families. The rooms were turned into beauty salons, barber shops and theaters for the day, so while parents were receiving their screenings and medical care, their families could stay in a safe and entertaining environment.
While on a mission, the team wears civilian clothing in order to show that they are only there to help the Honduran government and its people, Santiago said. Working with the Honduran military has been a rewarding relationship for the team.
“The Honduran military is always very receptive and happy to work with us,” Santiago said. “A lot of them have been through the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Bragg, N.C., so they look positively on Americans and we have created a great partnership.”
The team was especially happy to see the Honduran Department of Health participating, Everage said.
“That’s a great sign,” Everage said. “The more agencies that show up and work together, the more we know what we’re doing is working.”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.20.2012 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 91892 |
| Location: | SANTA RITA, HN |
| Web Views: | 1,135 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
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