“God is blessing you for what you are doing here”
By Capt. Carlos M. Cuebas
1st MSC Public Affairs
Valverde province, Dominican Republic: Reservists from the 1st MSC continue working hard at the Dominican Republic, as part of the “Beyond the Horizon” (BTH) mission. The headquarters and command and control elements for the mission belong to the 1st MSC, under the watchful eye of Lt. Col. Louis A. Feliciano, who is also the 393rd CSSB Battalion Commander.
“We have around 25 1st MSC Soldiers here, who provide the resources and capabilities that the down trace units require, in order to successfully complete the BTH mission in Dominican Republic. But most importantly, I think this is the type of mission that no Soldier will be able to forget, because we come here to serve the local community”, stated Feliciano.
“This mission provides a comprehensive support to the most important needs of our people. This mission contributes to our sustained development, while solidifying the bonds which traditionally have united Dominican Republic and United States of America”, stated Abraham E. Luna, Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the Dominican Army.
At the same time, the Unites States Ambassador to Dominican Republic, the Honorable Raúl Izaguirre, expressed his happiness about the work that is being done at the Caribbean nation. “Beyond the Horizon is another example of how the United States and the Dominican Republic work together. It is great to participate in a project that is not designed to destroy, but to build and help”, said the Ambassador.
BTH is a civic-military effort that includes the construction of two medical clinics, the renovation of an existent dispensary and the reconstruction of a local school in the municipality of Mao. In addition, the mission offers medical care and services to the local population. Such services include optometry, dental care, general medicine, pediatrician and immunizations to most of the Mao municipality population. Currently, the Mao municipality population is around 49,000 people, in accordance with the most recent census.
Mr. Norberto Ventura is a local farmer, who went to obtain medical care in one of the BTH clinics. “I feel very, very happy. This is a poor country and that is why we are deeply grateful to the United States Armed Forces, for what they are doing here, helping our people”, stated Ventura.
Mrs. Dilenia Peralta was another patient that enjoyed the medical services offered as part of BTH. “God is blessing you for what you are doing here. Here (in Dominican Republic) we have people who do not have the money to obtain medical attention. With these clinics, we can see a doctor at last!” stated the homemaker lady.
Besides the medical and infrastructure help, the BTH mission is having a great economical impact in the neighboring Caribbean nation. “We contracted services, goods and local products that are required for us to conduct this mission. This reality has an important impact in the local economy”, said Lt. Col. Louis A. Feliciano.
BTH will have a presence of over 200 United States Service Members (Reservists, National Guard and Active Duty) deployed in Dominican Republic until mid summer 2011.
“God is blessing you for what you are doing here”
By Capt. Carlos M. Cuebas
1st MSC Public Affairs
Valverde province, Dominican Republic: Reservists from the 1st MSC continue working hard at the Dominican Republic, as part of the “Beyond the Horizon” (BTH) mission. The headquarters and command and control elements for the mission belong to the 1st MSC, under the watchful eye of Lt. Col. Louis A. Feliciano, who is also the 393rd CSSB Battalion Commander.
“We have around 25 1st MSC Soldiers here, who provide the resources and capabilities that the down trace units require, in order to successfully complete the BTH mission in Dominican Republic. But most importantly, I think this is the type of mission that no Soldier will be able to forget, because we come here to serve the local community”, stated Feliciano.
“This mission provides a comprehensive support to the most important needs of our people. This mission contributes to our sustained development, while solidifying the bonds which traditionally have united Dominican Republic and United States of America”, stated Abraham E. Luna, Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the Dominican Army.
At the same time, the Unites States Ambassador to Dominican Republic, the Honorable Raúl Izaguirre, expressed his happiness about the work that is being done at the Caribbean nation. “Beyond the Horizon is another example of how the United States and the Dominican Republic work together. It is great to participate in a project that is not designed to destroy, but to build and help”, said the Ambassador.
BTH is a civic-military effort that includes the construction of two medical clinics, the renovation of an existent dispensary and the reconstruction of a local school in the municipality of Mao. In addition, the mission offers medical care and services to the local population. Such services include optometry, dental care, general medicine, pediatrician and immunizations to most of the Mao municipality population. Currently, the Mao municipality population is around 49,000 people, in accordance with the most recent census.
Mr. Norberto Ventura is a local farmer, who went to obtain medical care in one of the BTH clinics. “I feel very, very happy. This is a poor country and that is why we are deeply grateful to the United States Armed Forces, for what they are doing here, helping our people”, stated Ventura.
Mrs. Dilenia Peralta was another patient that enjoyed the medical services offered as part of BTH. “God is blessing you for what you are doing here. Here (in Dominican Republic) we have people who do not have the money to obtain medical attention. With these clinics, we can see a doctor at last!” stated the homemaker lady.
Besides the medical and infrastructure help, the BTH mission is having a great economical impact in the neighboring Caribbean nation. “We contracted services, goods and local products that are required for us to conduct this mission. This reality has an important impact in the local economy”, said Lt. Col. Louis A. Feliciano.
BTH will have a presence of over 200 United States Service Members (Reservists, National Guard and Active Duty) deployed in Dominican Republic until mid summer 2011.