[Marinir] [infoZine] In Indonesia, Bridge Building Starts with a Single Coconut

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http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/5387

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 ::
infoZine Staff :: page views
In Indonesia, Bridge Building Starts with a Single Coconut
by Samantha L. Quigley -

Every morning, a contingent of up to 50 Marines hits the beach here. They
are there to assist in getting supplies ashore so they can be distributed to
victims of the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunamis.

Meulaboh, Indonesia - The scene rarely changes from morning to morning. It's
sunny. It's hot. It's humid. And there are always two groups of people
waiting for them: Local citizens still living in the area and members of the
Indonesian military.

"The (Indonesian) Marines are very open-arms to us," said Marine Sgt. Maj.
David Bullock with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "They know we're
providing aid to the people of Indonesia."

 The Indonesian military component is present to help keep local residents
who are still living in the area behind an established perimeter. They, like
the local people, also are interested in the daily deliveries of
humanitarian supplies that come in by air-cushioned landing craft.

A portion of the deliveries are loaded into trucks and taken them to an
Indonesian government direct distribution warehouse.

"The (Indonesian) military's been good with me helping control the crowds,"
Bullock said. "They've done what we ask. (If) we need to set up a perimeter,
if I point out a spot, they'll stay there all day."

Though the relationship between the two militaries is friendly but
professional, contact can be limited. But every once in a while, common
ground emerges and a relationship grows stronger. Today, common ground was
found in a coconut.

 At mid-morning, one of the Indonesian servicemembers scaled a palm tree and
dropped a few green coconuts. One of his colleagues on the ground looked at
a Marine and pointed to one of the coconuts, indicating that the Marine
should pick it up.

Before it was all over, Bullock was learning how to hack away the top part
of the coconut to get to the milk. With that mission complete, it was time
to unload the second landing craft of the day.

When the 35 pallets of supplies - 20 with boxes of rations and 15 with boxes
of bottled water - were stacked on the beach, it was time to load those
trucks. That's when it became apparent that teamwork not only builds
bridges, but also moves dump trucks stuck in the sand.

Members of both militaries pitched in to get the truck back on the road.
Once the truck was "unstuck," the two groups gave themselves a round of
applause followed by a group picture.

 Unfortunately, getting supplies from the beach to the truck was almost as
difficult as getting the truck out of the sand. The distance between the two
was sizeable. So, instead of risking getting stuck again, a relay line was
formed - until someone complained about being hot and tired.

Then, to the amusement of everyone on the beach, Bullock and Indonesian
Capt. Benny Fauzi decided to make a point.

"Hot doesn't bother me," Fauzi yelled and headed for the supplies. Between
the two of them, they double-timed three boxes of bottled water to the
truck. The awe, mixed with laughter, created a bond as both sides pitched in
and finished loading the truck.

 The day ended with Bullock and Fauzi in an arm-wrestling match. The winner
wasn't really clear and a rematch is imminent.

"What do I get if I win?" Fauzi asked.

To which Bullock replied, "My friendship."

Fauzi accepted with mock disappointment and began negotiating for a uniform.
Ultimately, he settled for a T-shirt with Bullock's unit printed on it, but
offered one of his uniforms in exchange.

A high-five and a handshake later, Bullock and Fauzi headed their separate
ways, vowing to meet at the arm-wrestling chair the next day. Tables are
hard to come by.

"He's a good guy," Bullock said as he headed for the helicopter that would
take him back to the ship so he could rest up for the rematch.

Related Source Profile:
U.S. Department of Defense

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