SATTAHIP, Thailand — After 10 days at sea, followed by 10 days of hard work and tough training with Royal Kingdom of Thailand service members, Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit were granted a well-deserved break and released for four days of rest and relaxation in Pattaya, Thailand.
While many soaked up every moment of available fun in the sun, more than 150 MEU members sacrificed a few hours of their personal time to continue working alongside their Thai counterparts to serve the people of Thailand one last time before departing the tropical nation.
The men and women of the MEU joined forces with members of the Royal Thai Navy and Marine Corps to help more than 550 elementary school children attending two schools in Thailand by donating more than 100 boxes of clothing, backpacks and toys, and by teaching English, playing soccer and sharing smiles.
United States Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ray Bailey, chaplain, command element, 31st MEU, said it was time well-spent for the U.S. service members and an important aspect of a grass-roots international community relations project known as Operation Good Will.
“The purpose is really three-fold,” said Bailey. “The highest priority is to serve as ambassadors for the U.S. Naval services and enhance international relationships between the U.S. and Thailand.
It also allows the Marines and sailors a chance to serve unselfishly to help out those in need, while they themselves are blessed and encouraged by it.”
Finally, Bailey said, the event offered each of the volunteers an alternative way in which to spend their time in the country – an opportunity to experience what he calls “the real Thailand.”
Those affected most, the children
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