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Special Forces Association Chapter III
Bruce “Buzz” Parish Memorial Project Dedication Day
20 June 2009
Baan Wang Krachae School
Moo 6 Tambon Wang Krachae, A. Saiyok P. Kanchana-Buri 71150, Thailand
Geo coordinates: 14°13’45.70”N- 99°1’45.20” E
 Bruce “Buzz” Parish Memorial Projects
1. New Water filtration System
2. New Latrine (“Parish’s Privy”….it DOES sing!)
3. New books for Library
4. New Play ground equipment (5 new items)
Itinerary:
10:30 Arrive at Ban Wang Krajae, Kanjanaburi province
10:45 Dedication Ceremony
•Welcome speech from the headmaster
•Speech from Special Forces Thailand’s representative: Mark Smith Maj. (Ret)
•Speech from AMCHAM Thailand Charitable Foundation’s representative
•Director of OBEC Kanjanaburi says thank you and present certificates to donors.
•12:00 LUNCH WITH teachers and staff at the school
Administrative Information
SFA Van Departed 1600, 19 June 2009,
Location: JUSMAG-Thai
Returns 20 June 2009
Recommended Lodging: River Kwai Village
location to Baan Wang Krachae School
about SIX KILOMETERS
Sai YOK, Kanchanaburi
Address: 74/12 Moo 4, Tha Sao, Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
POC School Head Master: Khun Arrinthorn Phosawan, POC number 081-296-6618
POC SFA Chapter III: Jim Gibson, Chapter III, Treasurer
Statement: On the 19th of June 2009 participants to the Buzz Parish memorial dedication departed Bangkok circa 15:30 to 1600. All met for an evening meal at the rustic River Kwai Village restaurant. 08:00 on the twentieth the Chapter III members met for a cordial breakfast buffet provided by the hotel. Departed the hotel at 10:00 and headed for the Baan Wang Krachae School. A very pleasant reception from the children, teachers and staff as they lined the main road to the school to greet our three vehicle convoy. The school staff with the director of education took the Chapter III members around to view the four projects which were dedicated to Bruce Parish. The group then went into a hall to listen to words of thanks from the Director of Education, the school principal, AMCHAM’s representative and words of remembrances and thanks from Mark Smith of Chapter III. After the presentations, gifts from the school were presented to Chapter III and AMCHAM. The children of the school presented to all members of Chapter III and AMCHAM with plants which were handcrafted by the children made from locally harvested coconut shells. We then joined the teachers and staff for a nicely prepared lunch followed by watching the students at the school enjoying ice cream which was provided by Chapter III. After the meal all the students were lined up by height and the Director of Education assisted Mark Smith to present SFA Chapter III polo shirts compliments from a generous donation made by Mr. Tony Rabe. After the presentation of shirts more photos were taken all present thanked the school staff for a very enjoyable day. The kids and teachers lined the road to our departed to bid us all a farewell with warm smiles, wais and joyful waves. Kudos to Chapter III Treasurer for all the coordination with lodging facilities and the principles at the school, job well done. Also Kudos to Mark Smith for doing an exceptional job representing the chapter, the SFA community and the United States of American I’m sure Buzz appreciated the dedication. Mission well done.
DEDICATION ATTENDEES
Mark Smith
Bob Bernier
Jim Gibson
Bill Fantozzi
Jim Flanagan
Todd Landskov
Ray Caron
Three members of AMCHAM
Teachers and staff of the school
The Kanchanaburi province director of education
87 school children
Event Photos:
(Note: Click on Photo's to see full size)
Group picture with signage prepared for each project
Large sign at entrance of school with dedication to Buzz
Water Project
AMCHAM Representatives
Library
Swing and slide play sets
Mark Smith, Dir. Of Ed. Kanchana-Buri, and AMCHAM Rep
America’s Finest outside of Parish’s Privy
Lunch time, Mark, Bob Bernier, Dir. of Ed. and Amcham Rep
School kids display their new Chapter III polo shirts
Issuing ice cream cone, one each…maybe two each!
Any questions why it is called land of the smile, warms one’s heart
Hamchunk 2009
Mark and Dir. of Ed. giving out shirt
Mark and Dir. of Ed. giving out shirt
Mark receiving a gift of thanks from the Dir. of Ed. Kanchana-Buri
One picture is worth a thousand words,
"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child"
Smiles that will last a life time….The departure.
In the words of Albert Pike….
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us;
what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
May Buzz rest in peace and his memory and kind heart never be forgotten?
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Hearts & Minds