JROTC students send care packages to U.S. Soldiers in Ukraine

Photo By Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr | Sgt. Esther Van Antwerp, an information technology specialist assigned to the California National Guard opens a care package sent from JROTC students at San Diego High School, Sept. 13, at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Ukraine. The Soldiers are from various units across the California National Guard and are on a one-year deployment in Ukraine as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. The mission of JMTG-U is to increase the training capacity and capability within the Ukrainian Army by working with multinational partners to help build a sustainable combat training center for Ukrainian Soldiers. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

09.16.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Tarr 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

YAVORIV, Ukraine—During any deployment, receiving packages from home can raise morale within a unit. For the Soldiers of the California National Guard, deployed in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group‐Ukraine, the packages they recently received from the JROTC students at San Diego High School did just that.

Each Soldier received a colorful, decorated manila envelope that contained a personal written letter, a deck of cards, crossword puzzles and personal hygiene products such as hand sanitizer and tissues.

Along with the packages, the students put together a two‐minute video expressing their appreciation to the Soldiers for their dedication to their country.

Col. Nick Ducich, California Guardsman and commander of JMTG‐U, previously served with the students’ teacher, retired Lt. Col. Lars Staack. During the deployment, Staack reached out to Ducich when his students wanted to do something nice for the Soldiers serving overseas.

“I can’t express enough the gratitude from myself and all of my Soldiers,” said Ducich. “It was great seeing the youth, future leaders, demonstrating that sense of service and pride in their country.”

Sgt. Esther Van Antwerp, an information technology specialist is currently in her seventh month of deployment and stated that it boosted her morale receiving the care package. She said that the letter she received has motivated her to start mentoring high school students when she gets home.

“I want to thank you all for preparing this for us,” said Van Antwerp. “It’s great to see high school kids being motivated and supporting us.”

Sgt. 1st Class Robert Gromley, a medical operations noncommissioned officer assigned to the 40th Infantry Division from the California National Guard said that opening the packages instantly lit up the room.

“We don’t do this for the recognition, but that little bit of pat on the back does help,” said Gromley.

The Soldiers are from various units across the California National Guard and are on a one‐year deployment in Ukraine as part of the Joint Multinational Training Group‐Ukraine. The mission of JMTG‐U is to increase the training capacity and capability within the Ukrainian Army by working with multinational partners to help build a sustainable combat training center for Ukrainian Soldiers.

• Date Taken: 09.16.2016
• Date Posted: 09.17.2016 02:48
• Story ID: 209892
• Location: YAVORIV, UA