Pfc. Tyler. D. Russell, human resource specialist at the USAG-Y Headquarters and Headquarters Company orderly room, and Capt. Vladislav Silayev, the company commander for HHC of USAG Yongsan deliver rice and instant noodles to elderly citizens and lo...
MAPO, REPUBLIC OF KOREA -- Helping people in need has always been a priority concern for service members in Korea.
Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, delivered rice and instant noodles to households of elderly and low-income families, with the Korean Foreigners Friendship Cultural Society, and Korean civilians in Mapo gu, Mar. 19.
Necessary goods delivery is an annual event hosted by the USAG Yongsan's Good Neighbor Program, to enhance the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States. More than 20 service members participated in the delivery, offering warmth to the less fortunate people and communicating with the society.
"It was a good opportunity to meet with local Koreans. Talking to them and participating as a team made me feel like a true part of this community," said Pfc. Joshua B. Willis, human resource specialist at the USAG-Y HHC orderly room. "I volunteered for KFFCS to help elderly citizens and interact with the locals, and we have done an outstanding job of that today."
According to Willis, Korean volunteers and Yongsan service members worked as a team, communicating their common concern for the Korean people.
"It is not a common experience for us to work with U.S. soldiers," said Sunchun Park, a volunteer worker of the day. "I thank them for the kindness they have shown today, and I think together we have proved that the alliance between Korea and U.S. is more than just a military alliance."
Besides of distribution of rice and instant noodles, the Mapo gu office also prepared recreational events including Korean traditional tea tasting, Kimbap making contest, and game of yut, a traditional game.
"The recreational features of today were a refreshing experience for me," said Kungeun Nam, an 11 year old girl who participated in the event. "And we had a lot of fun together. Although our language is different, I think we shared our time and values today."
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