CHANTHABURI, Thailand –
Navy Reservists from the Military Sealift Command's (MSC) Expeditionary Port Unit 112 conducted a community relations project at the Wat Koh Khwang Elementry School in Chanthaburi, Thailand, March 3.
This is the second community relations event MSC EPU 112 has conducted while on annual training in support of exercise Cobra Gold 2015.
MSC EPU 112 members participated in a tour of the school including the new cantina building renovation project funded by the Chanthaburi Rotary Club.
The Sailors of EPU 112 and Rotary members donated basketballs and volleyballs to give the students during recess and spent time participating in various outdoor sports and games with the children.
The community relations visit was organized by Peter Thorand, president of the Navy League of the United States and an active Rotary Club member. Jointly the groups received an extensive tour of the school grounds as well as handed out gift bags. The students of the small rural school put on a performance for the guests to show their appreciation.
The Wat Koh Khwang Elementry School is a government school located outside Chanthaburi. The K through 6th grade school is run by thirteen year director Mrs. Nontlak Boon Sawat with a staff of 14 teachers. While on site, the MSC unit took a tour of their 57-year-old school house which is currently undergoing a renovation.
Mrs. Nontlak Boon Sawat thanked MSC EPU 112 for coming to tour her school and their interaction with the students. Additionally, the Rotary Club president thanked the unit for their time and noted that he looked forward to working with the United States Navy and the MSC EPU 112 in the future.
All members of EPU 112 were thankful for the opportunity to work together with local Thai communities. The 12 Sailors enjoyed their time at Wat Koh Khwang Elementry School and desire to conduct similar community relation projects in the future.
Cobra Gold 2015 is a Thailand/United States, co-sponsored multinational and joint theater security cooperation exercise, conducted annually in the Kingdom of Thailand, with up to 25 nations participating this year.