First, my apologies if the lead photo has led rose enthusiasts to scroll down in the hopes of reading about roses. (By the way, the photo above was taken by my wife, not at the Tyler Rose Gardens, but right in our own backyard).
Second, my apologies to those who thought this post would be about “guns.” The title is somewhat misleading. The following are images of our military doing their “thing” as I usually post about once a week.
However, this time the reader will not see a single gun, a single weapon, a single weapon system, because our military also do other “things.”
Enjoy!
U.S. Navy Seaman Schuyler Nesbitt gives Guatemalan children stuffed animals at the Maria Luisa III School during a community service event in support of Continuing Promise 2015 in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, April 23, 2015.
Children whack U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Paul Brashier with improvised foam bats during a team-building event as part of exercise Balikatan 2015 at Don Joaquin Artuz Memorial Elementary School in Tapaz, Philippines, April 23, 2015. Brashier is a civil affairs Marine assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force.
U.S. Army Spc. Adrianna Maza, left, vaccinates a woman’s dog during a veterinary care event as part of Continuing Promise 2015 in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, April 23, 2015. Continuing Promise is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored deployment.
U.S. Navy Seaman Molly Bellinger works on the foundation of a five-room schoolhouse as part of a construction civic action detail with members of the Philippine army’s 53rd Engineer Brigade in Cebu, Philippines, April 21, 2015. Bellinger is an equipment operator constructionman assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrea Pharis sings with students during a Navy Week Shreveport performance at Judson Fundamental Elementary Magnet School Shreveport, La., April 29, 2015. Navy Weeks focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a series of engagements to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Pharis is assigned to the Navy Band Southwest
Members of a U.S. Pacific Command Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team load onto a U.S. Marine Corps C-130 Hercules at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 29, 2015. The team is deploying to Nepal to assist earthquake relief efforts. Kadena’s Airmen worked through the night to load the team’s 20-plus members and gear for the departure. (U.S. Air Force photo/2nd Lt. Erik Anthony)
Lt. Cmdr. Maura Thompson, assigned to the ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743), helps a child from Volunteers of America’s after school program complete homework during the Bossier City, Shreveport Navy Week. Navy Weeks focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects, in cities that don’t have a large naval presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Fahey)
All photos (except lead photo) and captions: DOD
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.