Lightning Support Soldiers serve Sweetheart Lunch to Kahuku Elementary

By Story and Photos by Sgt. Erin Sherwood, 25th Sustainment Brigade PAOFebruary 17, 2016

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Andrea Carter, of the 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, ties balloons to a table display at Kahuku Elementary School, Feb.12. The balloons and hearts were part of the Valentine's Sweetheart Luncheon for students and their ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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Maj. Milagros Delgado of the 125th Financial Management Support Unit, 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, tapes paper hearts with activities director Mari Le'i at Kahuku Elementary School, Feb. 12. The decorations were part of a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Binay Raut, of the 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, serves milk to a Kahuku Elementary School student during the Sweetheart Luncheon, Feb. 12. Troops helped set up the event and serve lunch as part of the Partnership of O... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 25th Sustainment Brigade serve students and their families lunch during the Valentine's Sweetheart Luncheon, Feb. 12, at Kahuku Elementary School. Troops helped set up the event and serve lunch as part of the Partnership of Ohana, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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1st Lt. Maryann Abas, of the 259th Human Resources Company, 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, visits with Kahuku Elementary students during the Sweetheart Luncheon, Feb. 12. Troops helped set up the event and serve lunch as pa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAHUKU, Hawaii--Hearts and happiness were plenty Feb. 12 in the Kahuku Elementary School cafeteria. Soldiers of the 25th Special Troops Battalion, 25th Sustainment Brigade, helped serve students and their families during the schools annual Valentine's Day Sweetheart Luncheon celebration for all grades.

"I know the students get excited when they see the Soldiers out here volunteering," said Mari Le'i, activities director for Kahuku Elementary School. "Having the extra hands to serve during the luncheon is a big help for us and keeps everything running smoothly."

The Soldiers spent the morning decorating the cafeteria with paper hearts and balloons and meeting with students. At lunchtime they donned hairnets and aprons to serve each child and their family members a delicious Valentine's meal.

"This is the biggest group we've had so far with the elementary school so it was nice to see so many people come out," said Pvt. Carmina Jimenez of the 25th Sustainment Brigade. "I love seeing the reactions on the kids' faces to having us here."

The effort was part of the Partnership of Ohana, an island-wide program under U.S Army Garrison Hawaii that helps connect U.S servicemembers with communities across Oahu. Volunteer activities range from community and school events, maintenance activities, tutoring, and help with education opportunities.

The luncheon is one of many volunteer activities 25th Special Troops Battalion Soldiers have participated in with Kahuku Elementary since the beginning of November. Past events have included a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, a recycling drive, and a physical fitness test.

"They are very curious and want to know a lot about what we do and what our daily life is like in the Army," said Jimenez. "I think they look up to us and I want to set a good example."

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