Building a fence brings community, military together in Lithuania

By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew ChlostaAugust 26, 2016

7th MSC Soldiers help with HCA project in Lithuania
1 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Mission Support Command helped coordinate the construction of a new fence and gate and sign for the local 'infant' or 'baby' orphanage with USAR Soldiers from the 412th Theater Engineer Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
7th MSC Soldiers help with HCA project in Lithuania
2 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Mission Support Command helped coordinate the construction of a new fence and gate and sign for the local 'infant' or 'baby' orphanage with USAR Soldiers from the 412th Theater Engineer Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
7th MSC Soldiers help with HCA project in Lithuania
3 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Mission Support Command helped coordinate the construction of a new fence and gate and sign for the local 'infant' or 'baby' orphanage with USAR Soldiers from the 412th Theater Engineer Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
7th MSC Soldiers help with HCA project in Lithuania
4 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Mission Support Command helped coordinate the construction of a new fence and gate and sign for the local 'infant' or 'baby' orphanage with USAR Soldiers from the 412th Theater Engineer Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
5 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Kyle West (in front), assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, and a Lithuanian soldier (behind) dig a hole during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) p... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
6 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Raven Henderson, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, holds a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in Sauliai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
7 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Stephanie Lish, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, holds a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lith... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
8 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Lithuanian soldier digs a hole during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 18, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, the 375th Engineer Company, 457th Civi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
9 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From left to right) U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Sorich, Spc. Stephanie Lish and Sgt. Elizabeth Prairie, all assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, conduct a meeting with a direc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
10 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From left to right) U.S. Army Pfc. Timmey Turner, Spc. Jimmy Martin and Staff Sgt. Jason Pionke, all assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, assist with constructing a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
11 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Sorich, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, hugs children from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lith... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
12 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Jimmy Martin, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, assists with constructing a fence during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in Sauliai, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
13 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Sorich, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, holds a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in Sauliai, Lithu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
14 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From front to back) U.S. Army Spc. Kyle West U.S. Army Spc. Jimmy Martin and U.S. Army Spc. Nick Skirchak, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, assist with construc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
15 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to the Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command and the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Comman... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
16 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kennicker, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, holds a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
17 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Jimmy Martin, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, assists with constructing a fence during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in Sauliai, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
18 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Nick Shirchak, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, assists with constructing a fence during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project in Sauliai,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
19 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Kyle West (right), assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, and a Lithuania Airman (left) assist with constructing a fence during a Humanitarian Civil Ass... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
20 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Sorich, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, shows a sign created by the Civil Affairs team to the children from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
21 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Kennicker, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, plays with a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
22 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, U.S. Soldiers, assigned to the 375th Engineer Company, 467th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, 412th Thea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
23 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Stephanie Lish (left) , assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, discusses the HCA project with a local neighbor (right) during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
24 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Stephanie Lish (left) , assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, assists Kudikiu Namai staff during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, L... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
25 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Portuguese airman plays with children from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 23, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, the 375th En... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
26 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Spc. Stephanie Lish, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, prepares to hug a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sau... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
27 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers, assigned to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command, greet Portuguese airmen before they enter Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Saulia... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
28 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Portuguese airman plays with a child from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 23, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, the 375th Eng... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
29 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Portuguese airmen greet a baby from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 23, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, the 375th Engineer Co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
30 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Portuguese airman holds a baby from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 23, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, the 375th Engineer ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
31 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Portuguese airman creates balloon sculptures for children from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithuania, August 23, 2016. As part of the European Command's (EUCOM) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance P... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lithuanian Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) Project
32 / 32 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army 1st Lt. John Sorich with to Alpha Company, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th Mission Support Command plays with babies from Kudikiu Namai during a Humanitarian Civil Assistance (HCA) project, in Sauliai, Lithua... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta

7th Mission Support Command Public Affairs Office

SIAULIAI, Lithuania - Lithuanian and American service members worked together to make an orphanage safer and more beautiful for children living there.

Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Mission Support Command helped coordinate the construction of a new fence and gate and sign for the local 'infant' or 'baby' orphanage with USAR Soldiers from the 412th Theater Engineer Command and Lithuanian Soldiers and Airmen and local national contractors, Aug. 8-25, 2016.

The four Soldiers from the 7th MSC's 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, out of Longare, Italy, and 10 Soldiers from the 375th Engineer Company, out of Huntsville, Ala., partnered with six Lithuanian Airmen and Soldiers and local national contractors each day to build the new fence and interact with the local population.

"I am impressed they did their job professionally with no impact on the neighbors. The old fence was built almost fifty years ago," said Audrone Kardasiene, the orphanage director. "It had broken pieces and it was heavy, and the new one is beautiful. I am amazed with the work they did and how they communicated with the Lithuanian Soldiers."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new fence was held on Aug. 25, 2016 and was attended by more than 40 people, including the Mayor of Siauliai and Mr. Christopher Volciak, the acting deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania.

"During the last two years, we had nice relationship with the U.S. Embassy and military about the type of fence it would be and the scope of the work," Kardasiene said.

Everyone took the work very seriously, she said.

"I am happy," Kardasiene said. "The kids and the neighbors and the whole community is happy with this fence."

The new fence that is now within the Lithuanian government regulations, said Lithuanian Air Force Air Base Public Affairs Officer Capt. Ieva.

"It was very important that the Soldiers from the United States came here and made the environment safe for the kids with the new fence," she said.

The orphanage worked for seven years to get this fence project completed, Ieva said. The old fence was unstable and now the kids can run around the entire play area without issues, she added.

The 'baby' orphanage or 'infants' home facility runs on donations only, relying on the community to support kids ranging from infant to 6 years old, including kids with special needs, according to said Sgt. Elizabeth Prairie, with Co. A, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion. The facility has a 50 percent adoption rate, she said.

"I think they have an awesome staff and facility here," Prairie said. "The kids here are well taken care of and they are loved."

There are 55 kids currently in the facility with a maximum up to 65, according to Ieva.

"We also did community outreach by going door to door around the orphanage to invite them to the [ribbon cutting] ceremony," Prairie said.

The Soldiers from the 457th were in the city for 20 days, said Spc. Stephanie Lish, civil affairs specialist, 457th Civil Affairs Battalion, Co. A.

"One of our accomplishments was we were able to bring out an interpreter for the engineers to better interact with the local national contractors," she said.

The civil affairs team also coordinated with the Lithuanians, to get a commemorative plaque designed and donated by a local sign company, she added.

"It was fantastic to see how excited the kids were to see the Soldiers and to play with them and receive their attention," Lish said.

"The Lithuanian Soldiers and Airmen worked side by side with the Americans to complete this project which is great example of military and civilian cooperation at its best," Ieva said.

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