American Military members reach out for Neglected Chilean children

Airmen in Chile as part of an exchange with Latin American air forces spent Oct. 30 to brighten the outlook for neglected Chilean children in a suburb of Santiago.

Fourteen Airmen and one Army National Guard member drove to a home for abused or neglected children where the servicemembers gave the children model airplanes to construct and treated the children to cakes.

Airmen were in Chile to share their perspectives on specific career field experiences and techniques with Chilean air force members. During Operation Southern Partner from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, American servicemembers are working with Latin American forces to learn how each other accomplish their missions. But the American military members wanted to reach out and offer help to those in need in the area.

When the American servicemembers first arrived to the homes, residents timidly approached the uniformed visitors. After a few minutes, a young girl approached Staff Sgt. Mary Johanson and sheepishly asked if she could be picked up and held. Sergeant Johanson, a reservist from March Air Reserve Base in California, then had a steadfast companion on her hip for the duration of the visit.

"That's why we're here," Sergeant Johanson said. "Even after a long day, looking into the eyes of one of these beautiful children awakens the spirit."