Young Marines Pattaya (YMP) supported the 46th Special Forces Company (ABN) Association (46th SFCA) mission to supply remote schools in the mountains north of Mai Rim in Chiang Mai. The five day mission supplied 350 blankets, 500 school sport shirts and additional school supplies to two remote mountain schools and three poor schools outside of Chiang Mai.
46th SFCA is headquartered here in Pattaya. They have been supporting these schools for at least six years. 46th SFCA started supporting schools here in April 2003. They now support 26 schools in 5 provinces. The 46th SFCA is made up of Special Forces soldiers, and their families and friends, that have served in Thailand during the last 58 years. Missions are funded by donations from America, Australia, Europe and money from Reed Johnson, founder and current CEO of 46th SFCA.
CEO of the Prostheses Foundation excepting the 46th SFCA’s donations. (L to R) Young Marines Bret Mays, Secretary General Therdchai Jivacate, MD and Reed Johnson, CEO of 46th SFCA.
The first day started on 26 December, when the two truck convoy traveled to Chiang Mai. On the second day, two schools in the mountains north of Mai Rim were given snacks and sports shirts with their school name on the back. They also received a lunch with all the seconds, thirds, etc., they could eat.
The third day of the mission saw the team at the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. “The King’s Mother”. Thousands of “pop tabs” were donated with an additional 10,000 baht. Next the Young Marines did a tour of the Chiang Mai Train Station. And, later that day the Young Marines dropped off donated individual field equipment and some medical supplies to the Free Burma Ranger HQ near Mai Jo. The Young Marines ended the day with a two-hour hike at the Mai Sa Falls.
46th SFCA’s vehicle just after arriving at first remote mountain school. It’s a little cool as you can see by Young Marine Bret Mays wearing a cold weather shift under his uniform.
On the fourth day the team delivered blankets, more sports shirts and snacks to three schools in poor areas outside and around Chiang Mai.
On the last day of the mission, the team returned home to Pattaya completing 1,291 kilometers during a five day mission. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #9876 Pattaya financed the fuel for the Young Marines vehicle to support this mission.
If you know of someone who would like to become a Young Marine, please contact Rad Mays at 083 115 8694 or email to [email protected].
46th SFCA can be contacted at 089 071 0919 or email [email protected].
Young Marines Pattaya Thailand is an affiliate of Young Marines Washington DC, USA.
The Team passing out snacks, school supplies and sports shirts. (L to R) CEO of 46th SFCA Reed Johnson, Young Marines Bret Mays, Nee Phillip with the 46th SFCA.
Young Marines Bret Mays checking out how the prosthetics are made and how they function.
The 5th and final school of this mission. As you can see, the sports shirts were a big hit.
The remotest school’s Preschool and Kindergarten Class. (L to R) Reed and Pranee Johnson, the school’s principal and Brian Phillip.
Ready to pass out blankets, shirts and snacks (L to R) School District Manager Atichok Prasopchokwattana, known to us as #1, Reed Johnson CEO 46th SFCA, Young Marines Bret Mays, Pranee Johnson and Nee Phillip. Nee and her husband, Brian, are deeply involved with assisting the 46th SFCA.
