by Patricia Deal
CRDAMC Public Affairs
KILLEEN, Texas—Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Soldiers joined Saegert Elementary School students who were wearing red, white and blue hats, waving flags and displaying patriotic pictures and banners for their annual Freedom Walk around the school to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11.
Col. Patricia Darnauer, CRDAMC commander, and other Soldiers greeted students, teachers and volunteers as they began their march while other Soldiers walked with them last Thursday.
“This is an important celebration. Even though there were multiple events around Killeen, this is our school so it’s important for us to be here and show our support,” Darnauer said. “It’s good for them to see us as positive roles models since we are big part of many of the students’ lives. Saegert’s motto of ‘work hard, be nice’ is really reflective of everything they do here and it’s a tremendous school to have as our partner.”
Saegert Elementary has been CRDAMC’s adopted school for nine years and the hospital’s Soldiers support the school by participating in different events, providing tutoring and offering educational classes and training for students and parents, too.
Gail Charles-Walters, principal, said that the school and hospital have had such a great partnership over the years. “With 40 percent of Killeen’s population being military, the children are familiar with the Army. Kids love to see the Soldiers. Just their presence in our school makes a huge difference,” Charles-Walters said. “It’s important for students to understand that we are all a community, and we partner with each other to make sure we’re all safe and help each other out. Our kids feel special with the attention they receive and they feel special when they give back also.”
Fifth-grader Jordan Wilson said she has done the Freedom Walk every year since she was in pre-kindergarten.
“It’s meant to honor the people who lost their lives at 9/11 and also those that made sacrifices for our country during the war,” said Wilson. Wilson’s mother is an Army nurse at the hospital so she said she is happy to show her support for the Army.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2014 17:39 |
| Story ID: | 142626 |
| Location: | KILLEEN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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