Honowai students enjoy a day with the cavalry

Photo By Sgt. Ian Ives | A student from Honowai Elementary in Waipahu, Hawaii, yells “Freedom!” from the top of a Stryker during 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division’s Honowai Leadership Day. Honowai Leadership day helped the students learn important core values and build teamwork. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Ives, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs/Released).  

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, UNITED STATES

12.10.2015

Story by Sgt. Ian Ives 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Values are what shape people, groups and even societies as a whole.
This idea of values is the reason why Dalen Izumo’s fifth-grade class from Honowai Elementary School in Waipahu, Hawaii, visited the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, to learn about the Army Values Dec. 10.

The day started with students meeting Soldiers and navigating an obstacle course, which was loosely based off the Army Physical Fitness Test. After completing the obstacle course, students connected with the Soldiers by interact with military equipment. For their final activity students received a class on character and the Army Values.

“If we took the students on a field trip where the core values are completely different than ours they would not be able to connect and relate the two,” said Izumo. “Coming from school with the core values that they have, then coming to visit the Army and being able to relate the two values made this experience a lot more personal and meaningful.”

While interacting with the Soldiers was a great learning experience for the children; the CAV enjoyed working close with the local community.

“Our squadron commander likes to talk about how half our squadron doesn’t wear a uniform, referring to our family, however, less than one percent of America doesn’t wear a uniform, so the children do not know much about us,” said 1st Lt. John Rice, a platoon leader with 2-14th CAV and the officer in charge of the event. “This is an opportunity to teach them [while they are young about] of opportunities in the military, as well as putting a good face on the Army, letting them know what we stand for and what we can provide for them.”

The children had the opportunity to see the lighter side of Soldiers.

“The military has a stern face that primarily deals with fighting, but we are so much more than that, especially within the community,” said Rice. “We work to protect the values that are within the community, including democracy. This is an opportunity for children to see we are approachable, we are fun and we have some of the same values the community has.”

At the end of the day the students had been pushed physically, were able to see what it would be like to be a Soldier, and received a very important life lesson from the character class.

“When I was the student’s age I do not remember much about school other than things that were fun,” said Izumo. “I feel like giving them this personal memory will help further engage them in learning and hopefully remember this in the future.”

• Date Taken: 12.10.2015
• Date Posted: 12.15.2015 17:37
• Story ID: 184616
• Location: SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US
• Hometown: WAIPAHU, HI, US