Photo By Maj. Vernardo Harris | Capt. Harris answers question during visit to school.... read more read more
MOBILE, Ala. - Capt. Vernardo Harris, Health Services officer, 7223rd Medical Support Unit, proves once again his passion about giving back to the community.
Anyone that’s had the privilege to have a conversation with Harris knows he’s always talking about how he can make a difference in today’s society along with helping the upcoming youth. Harris spends a lot of his free time trying to bring smiles across the faces of today’s youth.
A few years ago, Harris started the Harris Pen Pal program while he was living in North Carolina. The program involved exchanging letters with elementary kids from various local elementary schools. He thought this would help improve their writing skills along with showing that writing can be fun. The program did better than he could ever imagine. Not only did the participating teachers send him letters about how the program had helped the kids’ grades and attitude about school increase, other soldiers who had heard about his program started reaching out to him for pointers and ideas. After such praise, Harris decided to expand his program outside the state of North Carolina.
Harris deployed shortly after getting his program running outside the state. He made a promise to everyone involved that his program would continue while he was downrange. While deployed, he answered every letter that was sent to him. Harris also sent his pen pals various trinkets and pictures throughout his deployment. The biggest gift he gave the schools was a video shoutout utilizing the military DVIDS system. This was the first time a majority of the students got to see him in person. While deployed, he reached out to various people and support groups thanking them for their unwavering support of the troops.
Harris stated, “People just don’t know the amount of love the world have for deployed soldiers until you see it firsthand. Everyday there’s something coming in the mail for someone. Majority of the times, they’re from people who don’t even know you.”
A special group of kids recently just got a huge surprise and an early Christmas present. Harris made good on a promise he made while deployed. There was one question asked plenty of times that had been eating away at him since his return home from deployment. The students from Latta, Oklahoma, wanted to know if he could come to their school and visit them.
Harris replied with, “I will do my best to get there to visit everyone.”
Harris thought this would be the ultimate time to make good on his promise. He came up with a game plan on how he could fulfill his promise to the kids. He contacted Phil Shivers, Latta Elementary School principal, to inform him of those plans. He asked Shivers if he would help him set up the visit. Shivers made a few phone calls to Terry Painter, Latta Middle School principal. Painter agreed to allow him to come visit the kids. Finally, he would be able to fulfill his word and promise. He knew the trip would be long (Mobile, Alabama to Latta, Oklahoma), but the excitement of making good on his words would make the trip worth it.
The students were unaware and it was also kept from the teachers. Only a small group of people knew what was about to happen. They figured the least everyone knew, the more of a surprise it would be. When he walked in the classrooms, the kids were all smiles. Even the ones who didn’t know him were shocked to see a military person in their classroom because this rarely ever happens. While there, he answered questions, took pictures with the students, and gave out plenty of hugs and high-fives.
In speaking with the students, he told them, “The videos and commercials doesn’t portray the full military spectrum. Yes, we do those things and more, but we’re also just like you. The only difference between me and your teacher is that I chose to serve my country in this capacity, and maybe one day you will also. I’m going to tell you a secret before I go. Guess what every person in the military has in common with each one of you? We all had to attend some sort of school before we was able to put on the uniform. You can be whatever you desire to be. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. Thanks again for letting me invade your school, sending me your letters, and all of your drawings. If only you know how instrumental your letters was in helping me through some rough days and patches. Please enjoy the rest of your school year, and always remember wishes can come true. Continue to be good students at school, and great kids at home.”
Harris expressed that he loves the reunion moments surrounding deployed military men and women surprising their love ones, but felt no one really brings to light the other surprising moments.
“I know how it feels to finally come home after a long deployment and seeing your love one’s eyes light up at the first sight of you. I wanted my pen pals the opportunity to get their moment also. It was a tearful and joyful occasion to see the kids’ smiles and reaction when I entered their classroom,” said Harris.
Harris felt this was a great accomplishment for everyone that participated.
“I’m not the first, nor will I be the last. Moments like this happens all the time, and I will make sure that it continues to happen. Hopefully this is something the kids can remember and share for many generations. This type of exposure hopefully gives the kids a new and different outlook on life and especially the military. GO ARMY!”
Harris is very happy with the progress of the program and, in the future, hopes to expand it even more.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2015 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 179676 |
| Location: | MOBILE, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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