Editor's note: The following story includes contributions by a West Aurora High School student Andrea Houlihan.
LSA ANACONDA, Iraq – Three Army journalists, speaking at an Oct. 30 live satellite video conference, offered student journalists from West Aurora High School insight into their experiences in Iraq.
The students asked a variety of questions, including some about the weather, food, and lessons learned as Soldiers. Sgt. 1st Class Mark E. Bell, Spc. Amanda J. Solitario, and Spc. Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown of the 210th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment spoke from their office at Logistical Support Area Anaconda.
The Soldiers joked with students during the hour-long conference, but also discussed their jobs and life in the military. Solitario noted the sense of responsibility she has gained since joining the Army.
The conference was made possible using the military Digital Video Imaging Distribution System, which enables troops to transmit live broadcasts from the field.
Many students at West Aurora High have family members currently serving overseas. Sophomore Pat Spoden has a few family members serving in Iraq. Senior Kirsten Grahn's older sister and West High graduate, Jessie, is currently stationed in Iraq. West High graduates like Mike Montemeyer have joined the armed services.
Teachers and students also sought to contribute to Soldiers through a school-wide project that assembled multiple care packages to be sent to LSA Anaconda. Solitario and Hemmerly-Brown opened two of the packages sent by students during the live conference.
Hemmerly-Brown said it's not just about the contents of the care package that makes it so great.
"Getting a care package is awesome," she said "It's really the support that comes with the packages that is really touching."
Sophomore Laurencia Mendoza said that she felt it necessary to donate, "just to give something back to troops and to give them a piece of home [in order] to bring them happiness." In agreement with Mendoza's opinion, Luis Salines agreed that, "since they are over there fighting, [I should] do my part."
Teacher Jenny McCormick thinks that receiving packages from friends and family "uplifts the Soldiers. It lets them know that we haven't forgotten them ... We are telling them that there are still people back home who care."
McCormick said she hopes that she is sending a message to everyone else: "To make people more aware that a war is going on, and real people are out there fighting." She hopes to shed a positive light on the Soldiers and what they do.
