CENTAF band, Marines entertain Damerjog villagers

  • Published
  • By MC2 Regina L. Brown
  • Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Public Affairs
DAMERJOG, Djibouti (ACCNS) --  The U. S. Central Command Air Forces Expeditionary band "Desert Ramblers," and Marines from 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion entertained and handed out school supplies, toys and flip flips to locals in the village of Damerjog, Djibouti Sept. 9.

The "Desert Ramblers," an ensemble that is part of Air Combat Command's Heritage of America Band of Langley Air Force Base, Va., known as "Heritage Aire" when performing in the United States, played Irish folk music for the villagers for just more than an hour, with a few Marines contributing to the music by playing shakers during the last song. After the performance the local children lined up to receive the toys, school supplies and flip flops from the Marines.

The toys, school supplies and flip flops were donated by friends and family members of the Marines from 3rd LAAD, who are deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. and stationed at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

This was the band's first visit to Djibouti and it offered them something different than the usual experience of playing at military bases to servicemembers.

"We play so much for American audiences, it's different when there's a cross-cultural connection and a feeling of acceptance," said Tech. Sgt. Sherry Burt, vocalist and Irish flute player. "African and Irish music are so similar rhythmically and I felt that made it easier for the audience to enjoy. Children, women, and even men were dancing. The fact that the men felt comfortable enough to dance amazed us."

The Langley Air Force Base, Va. based band will be touring the middle east and Horn of Africa until early December, bringing their unique style of Irish music to deployed servicemembers. Band members include Burt, Tech. Sgt. Gayle Adams (vocals, guitar), Staff Sgt. Lacey Stokes (accordion), Airman 1st Class Amy McCann (whistle), and Airman 1st Class Brandon Richard (djembe).

"We respect the servicemembers so much and appreciate what they do for us," said Djama Elmi, Damerjog village chief. "Once the people heard the band and Marines were coming, they walked from all surrounding areas of the village. Some had to walk for as long as 45 minutes to get here."

After the Marines were finished passing out the gifts, the locals took turns dancing in a circle with members of the band, and sang native songs.

"Events like these are important because they offer an opportunity to share our culture and strengthen the relationship between U.S. military personnel from CJTF-HOA and the locals," said Marine Capt. Christopher F. Crim, 3rd LAAD Battery B commanding officer. "We enjoy working with and learning from our Djiboutian hosts. We also appreciate the people of Damerjog welcoming us into their village."

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa works to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in east Africa and Yemen through humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, and civic action programs. This includes medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.