Bringing Afghanistan to the classroom - Postmarks: from army posts around the world - 249th Engineer Battalion partners with Westland Middle School in Bethesday Maryland - Brief Article

Soldiers Magazine, Nov, 2003 by Jeffrey Bady

Bethesda, Md.

"SUPPORTING Our Troops in Afghanistan" has developed into more than a service-learning project for a group of middle-schoolers.

Students at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, Md., started a project to create care packages for service members in Afghanistan, and it grew from there.

School principal Ursula Hermann suggested having service members talk about their experiences in Afghanistan. The 249th Engineer Battalion from Fort Belvoir, Va., was contacted and its executive officer, MAJ Steven Cade, agreed to participate in the students' activities.

In May Cade went to the school with CW3 Jason Carlo, SFC Kevin McCrea, SSG Nicholas Mapp and SPC Martin Brown. The soldiers briefed students on the culture of Afghanistan and displayed equipment they used while deployed.

Students asked about Afghanistan's climate and people. After the presentation, the students assembled care packages containing disposable razors, cameras, candy and other personal items.

The 249th Engr. Bn. provides utility power wherever needed around the globe. It has deployed to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America, and also supports the Federal Emergency Management Agency during disaster-relief efforts.

--LTC Jeffrey Bady, 81st Regional Support Command, Birmingham, Ala.