YAVORIV, Ukraine - U.S. Army paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade visited a childcare center in Lviv, Ukraine, April 30, 2015, as part of community outreach while training the Ukrainian national guard here as part of Fearless Guardian.
The paratroopers spent several hours speaking with and playing games with the children at the Ukrainian department of Family Youth and Sports Affairs' after-school English program in Lviv with more than 25 children aged 5 to 11.
For two Ukrainian-born paratroopers from the brigade, there was a vested interest in the event.
"It was interesting to see how the children of Ukraine would react to a U.S. Soldier," said Sgt. Anton Bezmendov. "I had a great time interacting with the kids."
After playing games with the children for several hours, the two Ukrainian-speaking paratroopers changed from civilian attire into their military uniforms. They answered questions about themselves and how they became U.S. Army paratroopers.
"Telling the children about my life experiences was a pleasure," said Spc. Kristina Chereshnieva. "I never thought I would be able to come to Ukraine and do this as a Soldier."
According to Olga Teteryatnyk, teacher of the after-school English program, the kids were happy to practice their second language with the paratroopers and seeing them in their uniforms was an exciting experience.
Capt. Kyle Robinson conducted a book reading session and Sgt. Jackie J. Mcknight played a learning game testing the children's knowledge of English.
"It was a unique experience," said Sgt. Jackie J. Mcknight. "Being able to sit down with the children and practice English was an honor."
Robinson said this event was an opportunity for the 173rd Airborne Brigade to be good neighbors with the community as they conduct Fearless Guardian.
"We were able to reach out to the kids in Lviv," said Robinson. "We explained to them who we are and shared our experiences in the military."
Fearless Guardian is the name for the Congress-approved, Departments of State and Defense initiative under the Global Security Contingency Fund-Ukraine. The mission and the program of instruction come at the request of the Ukrainian government.
The paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Brigade are in Ukraine for the first of several planned rotations to train Ukraine's newly-formed national guard as part of Fearless Guardian, which is scheduled to last six months.
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