Posted on 05/21/2005 8:19:32 AM PDT by Howlin
Soldiers in Iraq get to see kids graduate _ on screen
The Associated Press - HINESVILLE, Ga.
Graduation season in this military town can be bittersweet for solider parents. When moms and dads are away at war, they miss the day when their graduates turn their tassels and pick up the diploma.
That's changing, if only a little, in Hinesville this year, home to Fort Stewart and the often-deployed 3rd Infantry Division. When two local high schools hold graduation ceremonies this Saturday, they'll have 30-foot screens set up with a video hookup to soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The long-distance ceremony means a lot to Staff Sgt. Orlando Lee Jr., who didn't get to see his son march at his high school graduation two years ago because of the war. This year, Lee will get to see younger son Zaccre Smith finish high school.
"I know he's real proud of me. He'll be happy getting to see it," said Smith, who also joins the Army on May 25.
Last weekend, families of deployed soldiers with students about to graduate had the chance to talk to them via video. In a small building that is ordinarily a locker room for Liberty County High School's football team, they gathered and waited their turn to enter a tiny room with two TV monitors and a small camera. One monitor shows them. The other shows their loved one in Iraq.
Each family got 30 minutes. Families' time in the suite was based on when the soldiers were available.
"We opened it up to all graduating seniors _ anyone whose parent is deployed to Iraq, any soldier who wanted to participate," said Capt. Joseph Christadore of the division's rear detachment.
The weekend teleconference was a chance for Sandra Hamrick with the 92nd Engineer Battalion to see her daughter Lindsay, who is almost 3 years old. Like Lee, this is also Hamrick's second deployment. The first time, she left when Lindsay was 4 months old and came back when her daughter was 11 months.
Hamrick's younger sister, Katherine Kunda, graduates from high school this weekend. It was Kunda's first chance to see her sister since she deployed Jan. 31.
"I'm always working when she calls, so we never have time to talk," Kunda said.
Sgt. 1st Class Terence Green said the videoconferencing makes war a little easier to bear.
"I've been there in that position," he said. "The enhancement to morale, words can't describe it. It can carry a soldier for a few extra months. You can't beat it, seeing it in real time. And even from this end, to watch the parents and the kids, it speaks volumes to watch the reactions."
For the first time ever in the Coastal Empire, high school graduations will be broadcast live to Iraq for military parents whose sons or daughters are graduating.
Many of the students' parents deployed with the Third Infantry Division will still get the chance to see their children graduate. Preparations are underway at Olvey Field in Hinesville. Three 30-foot screens will broadcast the ceremonies in real time in Iraq.
Soldiers will see the seniors from Liberty County High School and Bradwell Institute.
"Even if it was just one student, I think it's important for the morale of all the soldiers to get the opportunity to see a graduating class go though something in real time," said Lt. Col. Ronald Whetstone of the Third Infantry Division.
The graduation ceremonies take place this Saturday. Liberty County will be at 8:30am, and Bradwell Institute at 8pm.
Good Military News Ping!!!
Anybody who has them, ping your lists!
Something good to read today.
Indeed! This is such a neat story that I hope it gets lots of coverage. It's the kind of thing that's needed right now.
Thanks for posting this, Howlin! ;-)
This is some good news!
Bump
Terrific!
I undestand it was very moving.
Thank you, Howlin!
That gave me a lift!
The one this morning was great. It was a two-way set up, so the parents could be seen on one screen. The students were elated to be able to see their parents, and the parents equally happy.
You'd have cried to see the look on the faces of the deployed parents when their children's names were called and they could see them recieve their diplomas. :-)
Mega PING!
This is so very cool! Thanks Howlin..
Graduation Ceremonies to Be Shown Live in Iraq
For the first time ever in the Coastal Empire, high school graduations will be broadcast live to Iraq for military parents whose sons or daughters are graduating
Wow, I think that is just great. LOVE IT!
Bump!
Instant communications is becoming a very routine thing now. I'm glad they were able to include at least some of our military.....
Great news!!
Thanks for the ping.
Totally awesome,dude!
What an awesome idea!! I hope other locations that have children of deployed soldiers graduating will pick up the idea!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.