Wat Opot Invaded by US Marines
21 August 2009
It was late in the afternoon when the troop carriers came unto campus and unloaded twenty-five members of a US Marine Corp Engineering team. Their mission was clear… to seek out and destroy the Wat Opot Children’s Community’s volley ball team in the Mother of all Games… but it wasn’t as easy as they had thought it was going to be.
In the beginning it appeared the Wat Opot team had the advantage and would easily defeat the Marines but a sudden downpour of rain in the second half of the game gave the Marines a chance to show off what they do best, ENDURE. By the end of the game it was unclear who the actual winners were, but it really didn’t matter. 
They stayed for a couple of hours entertaining and being entertained. Their involvement was genuine and well received by the children… it was a great afternoon that none of us will soon forget.
It is not often I speak highly of the military and even though I once wore the uniform of a Marine, I don’t have many good memories of my time with them. For that reason it was strange to hear myself saying, from my heart, that I really appreciated them and was grateful for what they are doing. Either the Marine Corp has changed over the years, or the men and women of MUSS-172 are an exceptional group of service people… because not once in the time they were here did I hear any foul language. My hat is off to them and I can actually say that service people like them, make me proud to be a citizen of the USA again.
Wayne Dale Matthysse www.tsoham.info
Lovely story I am sure the Marines Corp would not have participated unless they had wanted to — restores your faith in the goodness of men
Very cool. I wish I has been there to experience it all. How did you line that up?
Brian
Actually they found us, most likely through a USAID contact.
How good to hear about this positive interaction that brought some healing for you along with fun for the children. And no doubt healing for those marines, as the wat opotians do by their very existence.
Excellent story and a great show of concern by the USMC. Makes me remember my year in the Army in Vietnam where we had close positive contact with local residents. The military can do positive good when it comes from their heart and soul.
thank God for his healing power-it brings me tears of joy
Great story! Underneath we are all just people.
That was lovely to read that story Wayne. I have just been on an airforce base and i was really impressed with the calibre of young people i met so perhaps things are changing
Great story Wayne, glad to hear they made you and the kids feel good! I think I’ve learned over the years that every profession — law, military, church, journalism, et al — has its good and bad eggs. And a lot of people are just trying to figure out where they fit in and really do want to help when given the chance. Therefore, despite negative experiences with whatever institutional representative I’ve had in the past I’ve always tried to live in the present and judge folks by how they are with me personally. It makes life a lot easier to live!
Hope you are well and God bless!