SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
Joint Task Force-Bravo's Army Forces Battalion (ARFOR) hosted a fun Saturday to 45 boys, and five adult chaperones from Horizontes al Futuro orphanage, May 31.
The event was an opportunity for many ARFOR members to interact with the boys for the last time before departing Soto Cano. "The battalion commander wanted the kids to come over as his last farewell," said U.S. Army Sgt. Evelin Rodriguez, ARFOR non-commissioned-officer-in-charge and orphanage coordinator.
The kids and adults enjoyed a sandwich and chips for lunch, as well as playing soccer and dodge ball with the servicemembers. "We try to provide them with as much as possible," said Rodriguez. "I really hope they enjoyed themselves."
"Taking part in the boy's orphanage is always a blast. The best enjoyment is seeing the smiles and the eyes get bigger when they see familiar faces month after month," said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Albert Dixon, maintenance coordinating manager.
JTF-Bravo service members regularly participate in numerous community engagements within Honduras; providing support to orphanages and local villages. JTF-Bravo personnel has supported more than 2,000 children at seven different orphanages in Honduras since the early 1990's, spending time interacting with the children, donating much-needed supplies, and doing construction work on the buildings in which the children live.