Soldier learns to dance while deployed in Iraq

By RACHEL PONDER, APG NewsOctober 29, 2009

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Specialist Neti Hafoka, left, from the 22nd Chemical Battalion, dances with Staff Sgt. Jeremy Harrington, from the 22nd Chemical Battalion. Harrington decided to learn to dance after attending a Hispanic American Heritage Month celebration last year ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A 22nd Chemical Battalion Soldier learned how to dance while he was deployed in Iraq last year.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Harrington, who recently performed at Aberdeen Proving Ground's Hispanic American Heritage Month celebration, said he learned how to dance at Camp Slayer, part of the Victory Base Complex, a main base in Baghdad, Iraq.

Harrington said that the classes were facilitated by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, and were taught by volunteer instructors, who taught classes six nights a week. Harrington said that he would go to class three to four times a week. While taking the classes he learned several Latin dances such as the salsa, bachata and merengue.

"I had great instructors who volunteered their own time for free to teach us how to dance," he said. "They have an excellent FMWR program in Iraq."

Harrington added that no matter where he is he likes to meet different people and learn new skills.

"When I have an opportunity to do something different I take that opportunity. I don't want to be a barracks rat. I want to meet new people and have fun," he said.

Harrington added that now that he knows how to dance he has volunteered as an instructor.