Photo By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson | Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who is the commanding...... read more read more
By Sgt. Jason Thompson
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
BAGHDAD – The dictionary defines the term family as "a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation." The 4th Infantry Division, however, defines family as the bedrock of the Ironhorse foundation.
Family was the primary focus for the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad senior leaders as Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of the 4th Inf.. Div. and MND-B, met with families during a town hall meeting, Aug. 28, 2008, with the Ironhorse Division's families back home at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo., via live satellite feed from Camp Liberty, Baghdad.
More specifically, the town hall highlighted those family members who recently returned back to school and provided an opportunity to thank the spouses and family members back home who are providing the loving care to the children as they return to their scholastic adventures.
The Town Hall also served as an opportunity for the division to pay special tribute to the high school seniors who are entering their final year before graduation as several of the division's guest speakers provided words of encouragement for those entering such a decisive period of their lives.
Hammond opened up the meeting by introducing Maj. Lance Hamilton, a lawyer with the division's Staff Judge Advocate office, to the gathered families at Forts Hood and Carson.
He talked to the gathered audience about how Hamilton, before joining the Army, attended Penn State University, where he earned two academic all-American awards while playing football. After graduating, Hamilton then moved on to graduate from law school at Yale University.
"Lance and his older brother, Harry, both played football at Penn State under coach Joe Paterno," said Hammond. "Upon graduation, Harry went on to play football for eight years in the National Football League. Lance, on the other hand, graduated from Penn State and moved on to graduate from Yale Law School, where he paid his way through.
"He then worked as a lawyer in the corporate world for two years before he decided to serve his country. Lance could have chosen to stay in the real world and earn a six-figure income, but instead he chose to serve his country. For your sacrifices, I am proud of you and I thank you for your service."
Hamilton was left nearly speechless but thanked Hammond for his kind words and added that he is proud to be a Soldier.
"It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve my country," said Hamilton. "I just wish more folks would step up and do the same thing."
Hammond then introduced his guest co-hosts: Lt. Col. Scott McKean, a native of San Jose, Calif., who is the commander of 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 66th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., which is based out of Fort Hood, and Lt. Col. Kevin Gregory, a native of Ireland, W.Va., who serves as the commander of 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., which is based out of Fort Carson.
"We hope you all had a great summer and wish you good luck on the first week of school," said McKean. "I remember some of the most common phrases heard during this time of the year were: 'Just 5 more minutes;' 'I don't feel good;' 'and, I don't have anything to wear.' – Oh, the joys of back to school."
Gregory added that the beginning of another school year for his daughters back at Fort Carson marked another keystone moment for him as he is that much closer to returning home to his family after the deployment.
"The deployment is continuing to fly by as is evident by the starting of another school year. As a matter of fact, my girls have been in school since, Aug. 7 – all the kids moving from Fort Hood to Fort Carson will have a little shorter summer next year," said Gregory. "Good luck this school year."
Spc. Alexander Bryant, a logistical support specialist with the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., was the first guest speaker of the event as he discussed the importance of continuing his education – even during his deployment.
"A lot of people think that because they're deployed, they have to stop going to school, but I think it's very easy to continue your education online," said Bryant. "College classes are making time go by faster for me because it keeps me busy. I think everyone should take advantage of the many ways the Army provides for Soldiers to accomplish their educational goals."
Bryant is originally from Dominican Republic but grew up in Massachusetts prior to joining the Army in 2006.
Following Bryant on the center stage was Sgt. Rachael Schafer, a Pittsburgh native, who serves as an intelligence analyst with the Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div. Schafer shared her Army experiences with the family members back home and exuded enthusiasm as she spoke of her plans for the next stage in her military career: attending Officer Candidate School.
"I have recently submitted my OCS packet, where I was selected as part of the [commanding general's] expansion program. Without the support of my NCOs [non-commissioned officers] and officers appointed over me, I would have never accomplished this achievement," said Schaffer. "I urge you all, as you start your school year, to push forward to achieve levels much higher than expected.
"Remember, you always have family and teachers to help fulfill any goal you set for yourself," she said, in encouragement for the students watching on in Texas and Colorado.
Next up was the trifecta of Lt. Col. Paul Hossenlopp, the deputy commanding officer for 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.; followed by Sgt. 1st Class Tony Billings, the senior human resources NCO for 1st CAB, 68th Armor Regt., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.; and Lt. Col. Troy Smith, the commander of 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., who each discussed the different trials that go along with being a deployed parent with children returning to school at home.
"I think back to my senior year in high school with great and unforgettable memories of sports, great friends, great times and, somewhere in all that, grades which were good enough to get me into college," said Hossenlopp, whose daughter, Cassady, is entering her senior year at Harker Heights High School. "I can't stress enough how important your education is and how time, effort and discipline spent now will shape your college and adult life."
The final guest speaker of the night was Omar Raad, a teacher of computer science at the Baghdad University.
Raad provided insight to families in Texas and Colorado about the education system in and around Baghdad as the children attend school for 12 years, beginning from the time they are 6 years old. He explained that all schools, to include college, are completely funded by the government to provide an accessible education for everyone.
Raad also stated that he wishes to take his family to the United States so he can earn his doctorate's degree at an American university and continue teaching college students.
Following the guest speakers, McKean and Gregory opened up the floor for questions from the family members back home, which included a wide area of subjects, such as national elections, 4th Inf. Div.'s move from Fort Hood to Carson, and the condition of schools in Baghdad.
The town hall meeting was broadcast live via satellite feed to families in attendance at both Fort Hood and Fort Carson and was also available for viewing via live web stream on the 4th Inf. Div. webpage.
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.29.2008 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 23013 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 430 |
| Downloads: | 378 |
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