WAIANAE, Hawaii -- Normally when it is time for the weekend, Soldiers normally spend that time watching football, going to the beach, or finishing up a to do list which their spouse had put together throughout the week.
However, for this typical weekend Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division visited Kamaile Academy School as part of the School Partnership Program for a campus beautification and roof-top painting project in Waianae, Hawaii.
The visit provided a chance for 2nd SBCT to give a little back to the community.
"I grew up on this island and it's nice to see people actually volunteer for these types of projects," said Spc. Moses Smythe, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. "Growing up around here I really didn't see what type of impact the military have on a community and to be apart it nice."
For Smythe, a cannon crewmember assigned to A Battery, 2nd Bn., 11th FA Regt., participating in these types of event gives him fulfillment knowing he's helping out the kids.
"I remember growing up it was hard," he said. "Some of the elementary schools didn't have much as they do know, so when my chain of command told me about the event I was eager to sign up."
With temperature reaching unbearable highs in the afternoons, it makes it difficult for the students to learn as well for the teacher to teach, said Mrs. Anna Winslow, the principal for Kamaile Academy. So the school asked if A Battery, 2nd Bn., 11th FA Regt. would help out with painting eight portable classrooms and with campus beautification.
"Without the military support I do not think we would have been able to complete this task today," she said. "The Soldiers have been very helpful to us because they fill in manpower to enable us to accomplish our mission. It is a win-win situation because it's a public relations opportunity with community service."
Community service like this doesn't just benefit the students, school, community, or unit. It can provide a benefit to the individual Soldier as well.
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