"Katarus should stay here for another ten-hundred years," calls out a student of the Göttschied Elementary School in Idar-Oberstein.
The student was talking about Spc. Katarus Moore, president of the Baumholder Better Opportunities For Single Soldiers program, or BOSS.
Moore and other Soldiers, together with Mary Jane Spreier, Baumholder's BOSS coordinator, have visited the school since 2013 to help the students practice their English. Moore must now say good-bye to the children. In April, his tour in Europe ends and he returns to the states.
The students had a surprise waiting for him during his last visit to the school March 17. They all gathered at the school gymnasium and the principal, teachers and students said good-bye by singing "Auld Lang Syne" in German and in English. Anna-Lene Fuhr, a resident of Göttschied, accompanied the children on the piano.
Moore was moved and tried to avoid tears. The principal of the school, Nicole Bier, presented Moore a collage with pictures of the various visits by the Soldiers. The collage was signed by all the students and teachers.
The assistance by American Soldiers in helping German children learn English is unique to Göttschied Elementary School. No other school in the region sponsors such a program.
The success of this unique project was proven today by the students singing the song also in English," said Bier. "We are thankful for all you did and we will miss you," she said.
"When we started the project I was very nervous," explains Moore. During his farewell remarks Moore said he absolutely didn't know what to expect, but the receptiveness of the students eliminated any concerns.
"We conducted a total of twelve visits to introduce some American tradition and culture to the students," said Moore. Through the students, he has also gained much knowledge about German culture.
Before the students returned to their classrooms, Moore read the history of St. Patrick's Day to them. He then asked them to receive the new Soldiers, who will continue the program at the school, with the same love and receptiveness. "You all performed my favorite song. This has affected me deeply. I will miss you all," said Moore.
The students then returned to their classrooms except for three girls. They took Moore to one side and sang his favorite song again in English and begged him, "please stay here."
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