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Reserve unit provides new “hoops” for Philippines youth

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Tim Meyer
  • Combined Information Bureau, Philippines
Reservists from the 624th Civil Engineer Squadron and Philippine soldiers came together Feb. 17 to build a basketball court for children here.

Shortly after arriving at the base from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii Feb. 15 to participate in Exercise Balikatan 2006, Airmen noticed a group of children trying to repair a basketball court next to their barracks.

Many of the Airmen are Filipino and were able to speak with the children in their native Tagolog -- the official language of the Philippines. The children struggled with the loose, crooked poles holding up the basketball hoops and after several failed attempts to fix the poles, the Airmen scored an idea.

A group of 17 Airmen bought supplies to construct a new basketball court since the original was unserviceable. They were able to start work on the court that night.

By morning, the Airmen and several Philippine soldiers raised a new basketball pole, backboard, rim and net.

Master Sgt. Eduardo Ponting and Philippine Army Tech. Sgt. Renato Viador worked together on constructing the second pole with help from several of the children.

Army Sgts. 1st Class Anthony Williams and James Elzie, both exercise planners from the 10th Area Support Group on Torii Station, Okinawa, put in the finishing touches by painting the court lines.

The court was completed by noon, just in time for the first half of the 624th CES Airmen to ship out.