Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, Detachment Cameroon has plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, November 24, 2016.

The detachment is engaged in exercise related construction for exercise Unified Focus 17 and humanitarian civil assistance projects helping relations between the U.S. and Cameroon. Unified Focus 17 is an effort to strengthen Lake Chad Basin Security Cooperation interoperability skills, stabilize the Lake Chad Basin and U.S. force readiness.

Personnel on Detachment Cameroon have faced hardships, like no running water for showers or a shortage of food for example, but with the CAN DO spirit they have overcome the many challenges. As they sat around the table together for Thanksgiving Dinner, it was apparent that they were thankful for things that they have never needed to thankful for before.

"I have never had to be thankful for running water before coming here, because I've never lived without it. Many people in Cameroon go without water regularly. Using local water supplies, we have experienced the hardship people go through here. Waking up on Thanksgiving morning with water was definitely something to be grateful for." Said Petty Officer 3rd Class Gregory Shipman
The 27 personnel, from across the U.S. and globe, all with different ethnicities and backgrounds came together on a deployment overseas as Americans celebrating a holiday together. Personnel hail from Africa, to the Philippines, from the west coast to the east coast of the United States and all in between, regardless of where they came from or what they believe, they each brought something special to the table.

Members of the Detachment helped the contracted local cooks in preparing the food, including teaching them how to properly cook a turkey and even made their own dishes from family recipes. Those not in the kitchen played football, corn hole, and enjoyed each other's company. Not only was the Cameroonian cook staff able to enjoy this special day with the Detachment, but the Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jim E. Brown, and Command Master Chief, Todd D. Poage, of NMCB 11 were there as well while conducting a site visit. After all, Thanksgiving is all about sharing with one another and being able to show a different country an American holiday based on being thankful was definitely a memory for the books.

"Even though we are away from our families and friends, we still came together around the table as a family. This group of Seabees has created a bond that makes us feel like family, and I'm thankful for that." Said Seaman Rodney Lyons.

This detail has come to the humbling realization that regardless of what they are living without it could always be worse and at the end of the day they have each other. Despite the hardships and difficulties every day, they still have smiles on their faces and "Can Do" in their hearts.



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