Huay Plub District Community Center dedication ceremony

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HUAY PLUB, Thailand (June 25, 2012) -- 2nd Lt. Elizabeth Lewis, Platoon Leader 585th Engineer Company, Joint Base Lewis McCord shared ribbon cutting duties with Sgt. Maj. Boonlert Posuntia of the Royal Thai Army. Together, they cut the ribbon that formally dedicated the new District Community Center and Library at the Huay Plub Elementary School, Huay Plub Thailand.

The project was a joint venture between the United States Army Pacific, the Royal Thai Army and the local community.

More than 100 children and 200 hundred members of the local community attended the event. The 11,000 square foot structure took 35 days to build, involved 24 engineers from both nations, as well as local villagers to help with the labor.

Over 11,000 local citizens and 200 elementary school children will benefit from the project. The Huay Plub Elementary School community center and library is one of two engineering civil assistance projects (ENCAP) being completed during the Royal Thai Army -- United States Army Pacific Bilateral Exercise 2012.

It was designed to enhance educational opportunities and improve the quality of life in two rural communities in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and also to provide realistic training for Thai and American soldiers so they can respond quickly in the future to internal or regional contingencies.

Students from Huay Plub elementary performed a traditional Thai dance of appreciation as proud soldiers from both nations looked on in admiration of their work.

There in Thailand, and we're teaching them how we do things in America, and coming together to give these kids a real good product, Richardson said.

The day long dedication celebration included a soccer game between US and Thai soldiers, as well as Thai golf, and relay races with local children and villages.

BAE 12 is designed to build Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capacity, and improve medical, aviation, infantry and engineer capabilities, as well as provide opportunities for soldiers of both countries to develop friendships and mutual respect.