California-based Fil-Am Marine leads classroom construction in PH

Photo from Exercise Balikatan/Facebook

Enlisting in the US Armed Forces as his tribute to his family’s arrival in the United States, US Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tyrone Barrion holds his head high and says, “I’m very proud to be Filipino American.” 

Reflecting on his journey during the groundbreaking ceremony last March 26, Barrion adds, “I am a direct product of the Philippine-American alliance.”

Many Filipino Americans in the US Armed Forces have ascended to high positions and Barrion stands out with his passion for honoring his roots by serving the Filipino people, including students in Lasam, Cagayan in the Philippines. He is leading a classroom construction project in Lasam.

Forging connections between Filipino communities and the US military, this eight-week project is a collaboration between the US Marine Corps’ 9th Engineer Support Battalion and the Philippine Army’s 513th Engineering Construction Battalion. 

A combat engineer stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Barrion spearheads this initiative as part of Exercise Balikatan 2024. They are constructing two new classrooms at Alannay Elementary School to provide better learning conditions for second graders in the municipality.

A Facebook post by the Philippine Information Agency in Cagayan provided school’s construction updates: “Ceiling and exterior walls are currently under construction, including concreting Persons with Disabilities (PWD) railings.” 

Supported by the Civic Assistance Program and the 2024 Balikatan Exercise, this initiative includes other projects, including health center construction, no-cost medical missions and technology donations to schools. 

A legacy rooted in service and tradition

This Fil-Am Marine’s story is woven with a shared legacy. “This is not my story alone,” Barrion remarks, underscoring the US-Philippine relations based on strong historical and cultural ties and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights.

The US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty provides a strong foundation for post-World War II security partnership.

Barrion, born in San Diego to immigrant Filipino parents, is one of the many Filipinos who have been an integral part of the many branches of the US Armed Forces.

His father, retired Chief Petty Officer Frank Barrion, entered the US Navy in 1965, devoting 27 years to service as a ship line cook. Looking back, Barron acknowledges the efforts that paved the way for his military career. “I joined because it’s my way of honoring how my family got here,” he says.

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As the Exercise Balikatan’s Joint Task Force Advanced Echelon Officer-in-Charge, Barrion bridges the language barriers through his fluency in Tagalog, which helps him connect with AFP officers and local residents.

“Being able to speak Tagalog has put a lot of them at ease,” he says. “One of the benefits of knowing the language is allowing folks to speak freely and openly about their plans and thoughts.”

Immersed in Filipino culture and culinary tradition while growing up, the Fil-Am Marine also embodies the industrious spirit his parents had instilled in him. 

With almost 20 years of experience serving in US military stations worldwide, Barrion cherishes this chance to serve his parents’ homeland.