Photo By Master Sgt. Kenneth Upsall | A Latvian grade-schooler runs across the courtyard of Garkalnes School, Latvia,...... read more read more
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GARKALNE, Latvia – Smiling faces beamed and the high-pitched screams of excited children bounced off the courtyard walls here as dozens of Latvian schoolchildren darted back and forth. There was so much to see; robots, armored vehicles, weapons and body armor from the U.S., Latvia and Norway were all on display. Bright pastels and vibrant patterns on winter coats stood out against olive drab and tan military vehicles.
Soldiers from the U.S, Latvian and Norwegian armies displayed their vehicles, weapons and personal accessories for children from kindergarten through high school at Garkalne School in Latvia.
“It’s nice to have friendly forces here with us,” said Latvian 2nd Lt. Santa Morozova, a Riga native with mortar platoon, fire support company, combat support battalion. She enjoyed having NATO allies with her for this outreach.
“It lets the kids know the world is wider than Latvia,” said Morozova.
Latvian Capt. Laima Berge, a member of the 3rd Regional Logistics Center and Kadaga native, said the excitement of the children made the day worth it.
More smiling faces snuck out from under the brim of combat helmets as children tried on gear from Latvian and U.S. forces.
“I want to show people that we are here for them and make a big impact on their life,” said Pvt. Wavon Parker, an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, from Apple Valley, California.
“We take for granted what it means to be a soldier,” said Pvt. Timothy Sharrock, an infantryman with Company A and Ft. Hood, Texas local. Sharrock said getting to interact with the children gave him a new sense of pride in what he does.
Next to Sharrock, Latvian Pfc. Eriks Veldre of Kadaga, also a member of mortar platoon, helped a schoolgirl put on U.S. body armor and slid a backpack on their slim frame. Then in a firm but loud voice, with a smile on his face and a glint of excitement in his eye, ordered the child to run wind sprints from one end of the courtyard to the other. The assembled crowd laughed as the girl wobbled away, a small hand holding the helmet on as she tried not to fall over.
“These kids want to run around in and do exercise in full kit,” Sharrock said in awe as the loaded-down child turned to complete another lap.
Nearby, children climbed in and out of a Humvee, standing in the gunner’s turret and surveying the courtyard with enthusiasm as a soldier spun them around slowly.
“It’s just as exciting for us as it is for the children,” said Parker.
“Look, they want to do push-ups,” said Parker as he pointed to a different child, clad in body armor and helmet, receiving instruction on how to properly preform push-ups from Veldre.
“Being here is nice, the kids get to see us smile,” said Parker as he accepted an excited request from a grade-schooler to be included in a group picture in front of the Humvee.
Inside the school auditorium, U.S. 1stLt. Christopher Mallen and Norwegian Lt. Thornbjorn Somme gave the school children a presentation on their respective countries’ culture, as well as their role in NATO.
“We work together and train together,” Somme said. This closeness achieved during training gives the different armies a chance to get to know each other better and help build working relationships that could some day translate to the battlefield environment.
These activities are part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training exercise taking place across eastern Europe to enhance and strengthen relationships among allied militaries and countries, contribute to regional stability and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO.
Everyone who participated in the event, from Laimnesis Brugis, the principal of Garkalnes School, to the soldiers interacting with the students, said it was a very positive event.
The children were smiling, and the soldiers were smiling.
| Date Taken: | 11.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2014 04:49 |
| Story ID: | 147830 |
| Location: | ADAZI, LV |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Kids, soldiers smile in Garkalne Community relations with NATO allies, by MSG Kenneth Upsall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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