Press Release
☷Homesick Soldier initiates Easter egg hunt in garrison front yard
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
May 03,2022
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Sgt . 1st Class Cameron Letcher posing in front of the group of children , parents and teachers gathered for the Easter Egg Hunt in the park outside the gate of Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase , a site belonging to USAG Rheinland - Pfalz With Easter approaching , a homesick Sgt . 1st Class Cameron Letcher missed his family even more than usual . With his wife and daughters - Veronica , 17 , and Lily , 12 , they celebrate every holiday together . This year , a deployment separated them . Letcher , a member of Bravo Company , 3rd Battalion , 227th Aviation Regiment , arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base , Romania , a site belonging to US Army Garrison Rheinland - Pfalz’s Army Support Activity - Black Sea , in November 2021 . His unit is among other units assigned to V Corps , America’s forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners . Their operations on the eastern NATO flank are part of the effort to strengthen regional security . Although he is away from his family on Easter , he wanted to share a part of American culture with the local Romanian community and put together a plan for an Easter Egg Hunt in the neighboring village . “At the end of the day , the thing that unites us all , regardless of country , nationality , religion is that we are all parents; we all want to see our children happy , ” Letcher said . “At the end of the day , the thing that unites us all , regardless of country , nationality , religion is that we are all parents; we all want to see our children happy . ” - - Letcher Originally from Schertz , Texas , Letcher said he believes in giving back to the community he is part of , even when deployed . His involvement here has been no different . He is the self - proclaimed “voice of MK , ” providing color commentary during a local soccer tournament and initiated setting up a karaoke night to help improve his soldiers’ morale . He has also been volunteering on several projects the American Red Cross has on - site , receiving the Volunteer of the Quarter Award for his selfless service . “He has provided opportunities for hundreds of service members here at MK , ” said Tammie Pech , American Red Cross site lead . “We enjoy his warm , welcoming demeanor and he brings joy to those around him” . So , helping to organize an Easter egg hunt came naturally , bringing US troops closer to the local Romanian community . He started by buying five boxes of plastic eggs ( more than 200 of them ) filled with toys . Then , he reached out to the ASA - Black Sea Public Affairs Office for assistance setting up the event . Just one day before Orthodox Easter , 65 impatient children , parents , and school teachers gathered at a small park outside the base . They were all ready to dig up the hidden gems in plastic eggs placed by volunteers from the US Army , Royal Air Force , and Red Cross members . The event was a big success . It included painting styrofoam eggs , building foam airplanes courtesy of the RAF , and a few sweet treats . Children enjoyed the activities planned for them while their parents and teachers interacted with the US and UK service members . After the event , Letcher called his wife to share the cheer . They both agreed that children love the same things regardless of country or nationality . “We’re Soldiers , but we’re all people , ” said Letcher . “It’s priceless to see kids happy . ”
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