FORT HOOD, Texas - As Staff. Sgt. Shane Witcher spent the morning greeting kids arriving at school, and making sure the students were safe as they were being dropped off by bus or their parents, there seemed to be an air of excitement.
Witcher, assigned to 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division "Black Dragons," was first Soldier from his unit to participate in this new program, referred to as 'W.A.T.C.H. Dog' Sept 17.
"It was a busy day, but it was also very rewarding, said Witcher from Batrop, Texas.
The Black Dragon Soldier also spent time in different classrooms, helping with a tutoring program and participating in recess with the kids as part of this pilot program, designed to create a partnership with the Thomas Arnold Elementary School from Salado, Texas.
The unit sends its Soldiers to spend one day a week interacting with the Salado school children during this program, which has previously been implemented with great success throughout Texas.
"I'm sure this (program) will create a safer environment for the school, and place positive male role models into the school and the classrooms," said Lisa Nix, the school's principal.
She said the program was designed for fathers and positive male role models from the community to spend all day at the school participating in day-to-day school activities and providing added safety for the children.
At the end of the day, Witcher made sure the students safely made their way to the pick-up point and were picked up by their parents, and the community seemed excited to see Soldiers interacting with the local school children and faculty.
Nix said she is very proud of the partnership, and looks forward to future interaction.
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