Answering a call to service

The mission in New Orleans on November 28 had all of the precision of a military operation: Supplies were pre-positioned; the plan of attack carefully documented and outlined to all those present; and those in charge gave swift, clear directions. But the only "enemies" faced in this operation were sore muscles and bad weather, and the "arsenal" contained not guns and ammo, but hammers and nails.

On the Friday after Thanksgiving — a day most Americans spend shopping or recovering from overeating —  a group of Marines joined more than 250 volunteers to build a playground for the students of Abramson Science and Technology Charter School. The school was recently built on the site of Marion Abramson Senior High School, which was torn down after sustaining severe damage during Hurricane Katrina. 

With only a blacktop and a handful of picnic tables, there were few reasons for recess at the new school. "Before, the kids would race down the halls," said Sonya Herring, a mother of two children that attend Abramson. The new playground will provide her children and more than 350 others a safe place to play and learn.

The build included an outdoor classroom, climbing walls, and swings and slides. The students themselves played a huge role in the build — assisting in designing the playspace, providing personal touches in the courtyard and painting hopscotch games along the sidewalks.

In contributing to their own playground build, these students received a lesson in what it means to provide service to others. By volunteering and serving alongside Marines, the students had an opportunity to learn about serving our nation both in the local community and throughout the world.

The Marines used this opportunity to explain that serving in the Marine Corps means more than just going into battle. Whether providing support and relief to victims of wildfires or building playgrounds for schools in hurricane-damaged areas, Marines apply the same selfless commitment that has been a hallmark of the Marine Corps for more than 230 years.
 
"Service occurs at home first," said Capt Marc Cole, one of the Marine volunteers. "The things we do around the world are the same kind of things we do here."

The Abramson build was organized by Kaboom!, a national nonprofit organization with the mission to ensure there is a safe place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Kaboom! staff members noted that Marine volunteers have been a great resource: "Every time we need them, they come running. It's been a true blessing to be able to have them around."

Many of those on hand talked about the growing dialogue about the need for public service. For the Marines, public service is a fundamental part of who they are and what they do.

"Everyone should want to be exposed to civil service,” said Marine Maj Nadrian McGill. “It’s time to come together as a nation and stay that way."

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