Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Randy Savarese | Lt. Keith Caton, from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2, demonstrates...... read more read more
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MOYOCK, N.C. (NNS) -- Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 visited kindergartners at Central Elementary School Feb. 25, for a welcome home luncheon in their honor hosted by the children they had been communicating with while on deployment.
As part of the project, the class adopted the sailors and sent care packages to them while they were deployed. In return, the class requested that if time permitted the deployed sailors would become "pen pals" and write responses back to the class.
"Every year we try to get pen pals," said Kathleen Stadler, kindergarten teacher at Central Elementary. "They love it, they absolutely love it. It keeps the kids excited about writing and they actually want to do it."
Every year the children write service members serving overseas as part of the program and while the students understand the sailors may not be available once the deployment is over; this year they got a surprise.
"We understand that this is their time to be with their families and for them to come out of their way and come down here and spend time with us, that's huge and we appreciate that a lot," said Stadler. "It speaks volumes and it's important people know that."
Those feelings were shared by school principal Daun Belangia who said it is important children get to see what service members are doing for them and the country.
"Watching the kids sing the thank you song to me was a very emotional thing," said Belangia. "It's important to me that these children understand what a big deal it is that these guys are doing their job not just for themselves or their families but for everyone and it's an honor to have them in our building today."
Two sailors from EODMU 2 answered the children's questions, read stories and demonstrated the PackBot transportable robotics system they use in their job every day in appreciation for all of the support the children gave them while deployed overseas.
"It was a good opportunity to meet all the kids and try to provide them some positive feedback," said Lt. Keith Caton, platoon commander, EODMU 2. "This was our way of showing our appreciation to Mrs. Stadler's kindergarten class for all the letters and support they gave us while we were deployed."
"It feels really good and I think it went well," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class Daniel Franklin, EODMU 2, platoon 6 lead petty officer. "I enjoyed receiving packages from the children and reading their letters and seeing the drawings they would make for us. We shared them with the soldiers who were there with us as well."
Navy community outreach programs are a way for the navy to give back to the community.
"You could tell the kids were excited to see us in uniform," said Franklin. "They got to see the robot and it was great to see them so happy and excited to see us."
In addition to generating good will and excitement between the children and service members, Stadler uses the penpal program to keep children engaged in writing. To this Franklin had some parting words for the children:
"Keep up writing even if it's not fun and thank you very much for your support to the Armed Forces and what they do for your country," said Franklin. "It's great to have this kind of support. Oh and listen to your teachers!"
For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/eod2/.
| Date Taken: | 02.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2013 11:24 |
| Story ID: | 102694 |
| Location: | MOYOCK, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 538 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Navy EOD makes good on promise to children, by PO2 Randy Savarese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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