FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 18, 2016) -- Partners in Education - Soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion showed exactly what the term means as they assisted the staff of South Columbus Elementary School during its annual field day May 6.
Students from kindergarten through the fifth grade participated in various fun and competitive events to see which classes featured the fastest runners, highest hoppers or the quickest three-legged racers.
According to Staff Sgt. Danny Hill, of the WTB, being at the event solidifies their commitment to showing that Fort Benning cares about local students of nearby schools.
"Being here and helping the young kids brings up my morale a lot," explained Hill. "The reason I do it is because I lost two Soldiers in 2007, one of which had a child that he didn't get a chance to see. So every time I work with the kids, I do it in memory of my Soldiers."
He said it's also important to leave a lasting impression on the children at South Columbus Elementary to let them know that someone cares about their classroom efforts and their overall well-being.
"We try to explain to them why it's important to do well in school and to obey your parents and teachers," Hill added.
"They don't understand that we have a real life. They see us in the Army and think that all we do is fight (wars). That's why my Soldiers and I try to come out here every day," said Hill, who brought eight Soldiers to assist with the events.
"We also donate books and book bags to the students to let them know we care. A lot of them will talk to us, if they having problems with other students, and we try to tell them to work it out without having a confrontation."
He said the WTB has been supportive of South Columbus for two years, including last year, when the school was named the Partners in Education School of the Year. We're still working on it for this year and we'll have the awards ceremony next week."
Hill said the WTB Soldiers are no strangers to the school, as they make appearances several times a week.
"Usually, throughout the week, we have four Soldiers come out here from 7 to 8:15 a.m. Then on Thursdays, we do a leadership class from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders. We teach them leadership and Army values and values in life. We try to teach them things to look forward to and how to be respectful, to say yes ma'am, no ma'am and to just help one another out," he added.
"The Soldiers give us that added support that we need to help keep things organized, to help our students make the right decision and they help them academically," explained Patrice Autry, a teacher at South Columbus Elementary and the field day organizer. "We love our wounded warrior volunteers. They help out with everything."
She said the students really love being around the military members and she thinks the feeling is mutual.
"They've had fun with the kids and I think they're really enjoying themselves, as well," Autry continued. "I think the Soldiers are good role models for our students because they see that there are other people, outside of the school, who care about them and who want them to succeed. They also see that they're not limited in life and that they have other options. I think they bring an element that a lot of schools away from Fort Benning are not afforded."
Hill agreed and said there's a good reason they have a vested interest in the students.
"We try to do a good thing here today for these students because they're students today, but tomorrow, they will be our future," Hill said.
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