Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ondirae Abdullah-Robinson | Soldiers from the 7th Sustainment Brigade here, put away games and activities June 7...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va. - The day starts early as usual for these soldiers as they take the field and prepare for what is ahead of them. Each warrior takes their station and before each of them a group gathers and falls into line. From the far end of the grassy field, one Soldier stands ahead of her group of children and yells, “Ready, set, GO!”
Soldiers from the 7th Sustainment Brigade volunteered for a field day at General Stanford Elementary School.
The school has a field day at the end of each school year to allow the students a chance to enjoy themselves, to stay active and encourage physical fitness, said Lisa M. Rock, a main coordinator for the event and a fourth-grade teacher at the school. Rock said she requested 15 soldiers per day for the two-day event.
The school and its staff requested soldiers so the children could interact with role models for the day. In addition, it gave the soldiers a chance to be involved with the school.
“They came out first thing in the morning before anyone else was even here,” said Patrick Hales, a physical education teacher at the school.
The soldiers arrived at the school at 7:30 a.m. and stayed until 11:15 a.m. They helped the school staff members put on the event for approximately 250 kindergarteners through second graders.
“I am here today because we are helping the kids with their field day with all their little activities, and just cheering them on, making them feel special and important,” said Pfc. Aileen Verceles, a cargo specialist assigned to the 359th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sus. Bde.
There were numerous tasks and over 20 different activities for the soldiers to help the students with, said Hales. Some of the activities included were potato sack races, kick-bowling, relay races and popcorn -- a game involving a parachute and hats.
“They were very helpful.” Hales said. “They helped bring out the water coolers to setup for the water stations, they provided chairs for those who needed to sit down and they provided tables for some of the activities and games that are set up.”
After each activity, the students in each group turned to the soldier at that activity and in unison gave their thanks.
“The kids are just so happy when we get here and just really excited to play these games,” said Verceles. “They were eager to just start the game and would keep going even when the game was over.”
Rock said the soldiers interacted well with the students.
“It was such a really nice day today,” said Verceles. “It was sunny.”
At the conclusion of the first day the students and staff members gave a roaring round of applause to the soldiers who helped followed with a loud thank you.
Staff members at the school all agree that they would like continued involvement with soldiers and the community because it is a good thing.
“Without them it would have been a lot harder,” Hales said. “I definitely appreciate them helping out and I hope they continue to support the school in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2012 11:16 |
| Story ID: | 89638 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Resolute Warriors kick-off summer at elementary school field day, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
