Proud parents see kids graduate

Photo By Master Sgt. Opal Vaughn | The superintendent of Wiesbaden High School gives a congratulations speech to the graduating class of 2008 from Wiesbaden High School formally known as General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany, graduate June 8. Her speech was watched by several deployed parents of graduating students in a conference room at Contingency Operating Base Speicher.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

06.09.2008

Story by Spc. Opal Vaughn  

14th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Opal Vaughn
14th Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq – As a parent and a Soldier, sacrifices are made when duty calls. For several proud parents currently deployed to the Contingency Operating Base Speicher, located in Iraq, the dream of seeing their children graduate from high school seems to vanish.

Through modern day technology these deployed parents are reunited for this joyous occasion.

Via a video-telephonic conference, the parents of John Atkinson, Mark Lawford, Amber Smith, Bongani Rashad and Nadia Vickory, were able to see the class of 2008 from Wiesbaden High School, formally known as General H.H. Arnold High School in Wiesbaden, Germany, graduate June 8.

In a small conference room located in the Multi-National Division- North's administrative building, three proud parents sat and watched their children graduate from high school. A special presentation was made for four of the students whose parents could not attend due to their deployment.

A guest speaker read the letters of congratulations, written by the students' parents, and thanked the many Soldiers who were making the sacrifice for the freedom of all people.

Holding back tears of joy, Lt. Col. Tim Atkinson, a Chaplain at COB Speicher, looked on proudly as his letter was being read aloud.

"This is a day to celebrate your accomplishments," said the guest speaker, read in a letter to Atkinson's son.

Three more letters were read to Mark Lawford, Amber Smith and Nadia Vickory during the graduation ceremony.

After the ceremony, the graduated students of the deployed parents were extended an invitation to speak with their parent through VTC.

"I've already had two kids graduate from high school," said Sgt. 1st Class Medhat Rashad. "But it's just as special every time one of your children graduates," he added as watched the projection screen for a glimpse of his son.

By the end of the graduation ceremony, Atkinson, Chief Warrant Officer Dion Hicks and Rashad, were all able to be with their children to celebrate their accomplishments, even though they were not physically present.

In a final speech of congratulations to the class of 2008, the guest speaker spoke about this graduation, marking a milestone when students are no longer children but transform into adults. The speaker reminded the parents they did their job by raising excellent students, now it is time to "let them go."

• Date Taken: 06.09.2008
• Date Posted: 06.13.2008 05:37
• Story ID: 20430
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ