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Planting Peace With Partners

Feb. 16, 2022 |DOD News
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U.S. service members helped cultivate valuable relationships during a recent event to plant "peace trees" in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti. 

A service member shovels as another holds a sapling in a hole, as civilians stand and watch.
A service member shovels as another holds a sapling in a hole, as civilians stand and watch.
Planting Circle
Navy Cmdr. Phillip Lieberman, Camp Lemonnier’s command chaplain, plants a tree during a “peace tree” planting event in Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022.
Download: Full Size (4.5 MB)
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Sippel
VIRIN: 220107-N-AW702-0006

Community leaders hosted U.S., Italian and Djiboutian service members along with residents of the area for the beautification project and community relations event. 

Two U.S. service members talk with two Italian service members by a newly planted sapling.
Two U.S. service members talk with two Italian service members by a newly planted sapling.
Cultivating Partnership
U.S. and Italian service members participate in a tree-planting project with Djiboutians in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022.
Download: Full Size (1.68 MB)
Credit: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements
VIRIN: 220107-Z-JO181-006R
A soldier plays games with a child as other children surround.
A soldier plays games with a child as other children surround.
Fun and Games
Army Spc. Tristan Znati plays with children during a tree-planting event in Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022.
Download: Full Size (706.56 KB)
Credit: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Sippel
VIRIN: 220107-N-AW702-0012C

U.S. service members operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, regularly train and work with allied and partner nations, coalition forces and organizations in the region. The tree-planting project demonstrated how they not only help advance security in East Africa, but also enhance the well-being of their neighbors in Djibouti.

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Three service members shovel dirt into a hole with a sapling.
A soldier walks on a dirt road with a group of children.
Two airmen shovel dirt next to each other while one smiles and looks at the camera.
A civilian shovels dirt in a hole with a sapling while a soldier kneels on the other side of it.
Three people work together to place a sapling in a hole and water it with a hose.
A child stands while holding a shovel resting on his shoulder.
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Along with the tree-planting efforts, there was time to help seeds of friendship take root.

A soldier kneels and holds up his hands as a child punches one of them.
A soldier kneels and holds up his hands as a child punches one of them.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Army Sgt. Micah Gardner interacts with a Djiboutian child during a tree planting in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022.
Download: Full Size (1.64 MB)
Credit: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements
VIRIN: 220107-Z-JO181-015R
A soldier and some kids laugh together while standing outside.
A soldier and some kids laugh together while standing outside.
Sharing a Laugh
Army Spc. Tristan Znati interacts with Djiboutian children during a tree planting in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022. The planting of “peace trees” as a beautification and community relations project brought together Djiboutian citizens and multinational forces.
Download: Full Size (2.27 MB)
Credit: Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements
VIRIN: 220107-Z-JO181-016R
A female soldier gives a high-five to a child as other children watch.
A female soldier gives a high-five to a child as other children watch.
High Five
Army Spc. Heather Pearson, A Co., 1-116th Infantry Battalion, Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, interacts with children during a tree planting event in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti, Jan. 7, 2022. The planting of “peace trees” brings together the host nation and multinational forces through beatification and community relations.
Download: Full Size (604.16 KB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements, Army National Guard
VIRIN: 220107-Z-JO181-012C

Spotlight: Helping Hands Spotlight: Helping Hands: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Helping-Hands/

 

partnerships Djibouti humanitarian AFRICOM Africa Command

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