The VTC, organized by Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment and 67th Forward Support Company, was the culminating event between the partnered schools. Previously, the two schools swapped videotaped sessions between the classes.
“This is the first step for us coming from far away to this military place just to learn about your education and your knowledge and we hope it’s going to be a long-term friendship,” said Adnan Jassan Muhammad, Al Enteserat Elementary School principal.
The students took turns asking and answering questions of each other, ranging from how their schools are organized and what subjects they study to how they spend their free time and what they want to be when they grow up.
The VTC gave the students from both schools a chance to see and hear how different and similar their respective schools and experiences are.
The Soldiers at JSS Ezdehar partner with the 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade and have established friendships with the Iraqi Soldiers stationed there and the people of Shaykh Sa’ad.
“My Soldiers are partners and friends with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police and I hope that the children of America will be friends forever with the children of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, commander, 2-20th FA Regt., 41st Fires Brigade.
“This VTC helps to bridge the cultures between the American and Iraqi students,” said Capt. Mark Terwilleger, 67th FSC and JSS Ezdehar commander.
The elementary school students here represent the future of their country and hopefully this event will continue after U.S. Forces depart Iraq, he added.
“It is our hope and desire that this friendship will extend and grow over and over for the years to come,” said Mrs. Karol Carlisle, Meadows Elementary School principal.
The students at Meadows plan to conduct a school supply drive for their partner school in Iraq at the beginning of the next school year.
