Photo By Staff Sgt. Youtoy Martin | Students conduct a heritage performance during the 25th Anniversary Schools Program at...... read more read more
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KUWAIT CITY — The U.S. Embassy-Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education and U.S. Army Central highlighted the long-standing partnership and shared history between the U.S. and the State of Kuwait during the 25th Anniversary Schools Program at Fatima Bint Al-Waleed Girls High School here, Oct. 20.
This was the first of a six-part series of school programs that will commemorate the U.S.-Kuwaiti partnership and the liberation of Kuwait from Saddam Hussein's Forces.
“The U.S.-Kuwaiti partnership is very strong,” said Douglas A. Silliman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait and the event’s keynote speaker. “Kuwait has been a great support for our military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria with a lot of their logistics. But more than that, Kuwait has provided more than a billion dollars of assistance to Syrian refugees and Iraqi displaced people, to try to lessen the humanitarian impact of the conflicts in the region.”
Operation Desert Storm veterans joined other U.S. military members, like the 82nd Airborne Division Band, at the music-themed event.
“The kick-off event was a musical celebration,” said Mark Bosse, press officer of the embassy. “It featured the 82nd Airborne Division Band and members of the high school band. There were also a few younger aged school groups that showcased heritage performances… honoring the impact of what the liberation means for them.”
Younger generations of Kuwaitis have only heard stories about the liberation and these events will specifically highlight the role U.S. and coalition forces played in fighting Saddam Hussein’s forces said Bosse.
The U.S., as part of a U.N. Coalition, fought with the Kuwaiti people to end Hussein’s occupation in 1991, marking the start of a long and important partnership.
“Since the liberation day until now, the U.S. and Kuwait have had a great relationship,” said Khaleda Al-Shurai’an the principal of the school. “We are great friends and it shows in all aspects from military to commercial and educational.”
“When we were given the opportunity of being the first school to host the event, we made sure that the segments in our program highlighted the deep rooted U.S. and Kuwait relations,” said Al-Shurai’an. “We wanted to show appreciation for the role that the U.S. played to liberate our country as well as the role that the U.S. government played in bringing together the coalition countries.”
In the Kuwaiti curriculum, children as young as 8 years old get a brief description and history of Kuwait during the Hussein occupation. As they progress in school, they learn more details of that time, said Al-Shurai’an.
The embassy, in collaboration with Ministry of Education, encouraged students to learn more of their history through a video competition. They were asked to find family, friends and neighbors who lived during Hussein’s occupation and the liberation and document their experiences in a video submission.
“This concept of documenting it in a short film, now engages the students to become active in learning their history and not just dependent on what they learn in the curriculum,” said Al- Shurai’an. “It is opening their horizons and getting them exposed to that period of time through the eyes of people they know.”
Military veterans in attendance were appreciative of the displays, kind words and performances.
“It’s really good to see that the people here, especially the kids, are happy and grateful,” said Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Brian Ivers, stationed at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. “They are willing to share their gratitude with us so that we can relive that moment. I feel better about having fought, being able to see that these kids live in peace and go to school just like my little girl. This brings closure for me. I am assured that there is a future for Kuwait and America together and it is a good future.”
| Date Taken: | 10.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2015 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 179593 |
| Location: | ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 168 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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