By Maj. J. Frank Garcia
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD – A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier has reached back to his native homeland to gather English school books for use in Baghdad classrooms.
Capt. Casey Plamann, a school teacher from Hortonville, Wis., presently serving as a civil affairs information manager and planner with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Strike," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), in northwest Baghdad, took a great concept and initiated action.
Plamann developed a program that will include routine communication and donations of English school books and supplies. It is based on the Strike Brigade school partnership strategy in the area of operations. The strategy was designed to develop educational capacity with in the Baghdad districts of Khadamiyah, Mansour and Kharkh.
"Col. Bill Hickman [the brigade commander] wanted to go beyond the 'brick and mortar' concept and actually foster relationships and cooperation inside the classrooms," Plamann said.
English language teaching aids and assorted school supplies, totaling a staggering 27,000 pounds, recently arrived in Baghdad. The supplies were moved from Wisconsin to Fort Campbell, Ky., and then on by military transport to Iraq.
A presentation ceremony is scheduled for, Sept. 23, 2008, to schools in northwest Baghdad. Dr. Afrah, an official from the Iraqi ministry of education, will participate in the ceremony. The books will be presented to Afrah on behalf of the students and teachers from Wisconsin. They will be distributed to schools in Baghdad by early October, so they are available for the beginning of the Iraqi school year.
Plamann reached back by e-mail to teachers, volunteers, 4-H members and friends in the northeast Wisconsin area to stimulate interest and request support for the program.
"Many volunteers back home took this idea and ran with it," Plamann said. Many offered help, but one in particular truly stimulated interest and support from home.
"The assistance provided by John Maino of WIXX radio was immeasurable," Plamann said. "He conducted daily, on-air promotions for the text book and supply donation during his radio show."
Plamann also participated in two radio interviews with Maino in order to explain the program to radio listeners. He said he enjoyed speaking to the listeners and emphasized the importance of helping Iraqi children understand the English language.
The program is designed to eventually be self sustainable. The partnership schools will dictate their own program once communication is established, he explained. U.S. Soldiers will be required initially to facilitate communication and answer questions that the schools may have.
Plamann said he plans to deliver emails to both Wisconsin and Iraqi teachers to facilitate communication and understanding.