Students pray for nation, school year

By Sgt. Quentin Johnson, 2nd BCT PAO, 1st Cav. Div.September 27, 2010

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FORT HOOD, Texas- On a calm week-day morning, children and adults stood forming a circle with their heads bowed around their school flagpole to pray for their school and nation.

Students and staff from Fort Hood's Smith Middle School took part in the serene sight in an event known as 'See You at the Pole' Sept. 22.

SYATP is an annual, student-led global day event that draws students from across the world to their school's flagpoles to pray for their nation, schools, students and teachers, according to the website.

More than 20 students and faculty members took part bringing their own prayers and a group prayer.

One student volunteered to lead the group prayer as an expression of her faith.

"My family is very religious, I pray every night," said Abigail Freeman, a sixth-grader, who was moved to take part in the event.

Freeman's prayer focused on the nation, the students new school year and teachers to 'be there' for the students.

A prayer that each student would feel loved, be safe and make great choices at school came from Claudia Ocampo, the school's counselor whom participated in the event.

Ocampo was excited to see the number of students who turned out for the event.

"It touched me to see that kids actually feel the need ... and are not afraid to show their faith," she said.

Freeman was surprised and encouraged by the number of students that turned out for the event, she said.

Her greatest prayer is that the people of our nation would continue to make it the greatest country in the world, said Freeman.

Smith Middle School is sponsored by the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.