FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Soldiers of the 759th Military Police Battalion spent two duty days interacting with students at Mountainside Elementary School May 19-20 as part of the Fort Carson Adopt-A-School program.
“Soldiers are these students’ heroes ... they look up to them, and the Soldiers get to participate in their community,” said Lynn Zupans, Mountainside Elementary School principal.
The students showed off their skills in basketball, hoola hoops and many other activities, while the Soldiers introduced the students to military working dogs, a fire truck and an M-1117 Armored Security Vehicle.
“We want to give the kids an idea of what their parents’ jobs are like. They don’t get an opportunity to visit a motor pool so we brought a vehicle here,” said Spc. Bradley Atchison, 984th MP Company, who introduced the students to the interior of a military vehicle, which prompted many of the children to ask if they could own one.
“Even after we told (the) kids that the military vehicles cost millions of dollars, they still wanted to go to the store and buy one,” Zupans said.
The students explored the vehicle and ran around the playground asking Soldiers “Do you know my dad?” and “What is your rank?”
“The children feel loved and appreciated, that is the best part ... the joy on the kids’ faces is evident, they look up to the Soldiers,” Zupans said.
The Adopt-A-School program gives battalions the opportunity to sponsor a school on or off post, and each unit in the battalion sponsors a grade, said 2nd Lt. Caitlyn French, 110th MP Adopt-A-School representative.
“It is our duty to help out wherever we are needed and helping with the community is an important part of being a Soldier,” French said. “We are happy to send Soldiers to help at the school.”
Every Tuesday, the 110th MP sends Soldiers to read to the students, French said. They also helped chaperone a school field trip.
Other units in the battalion have stayed after school helping the students with homework, Zupans said. The students love working with Soldiers because it makes them feel proud and close to the Fort Carson community.
“I think having Soldiers interact with the students helps the kids get a different view of the military and hopefully those with deployed parents feel better having Soldiers participate at school,” said Pfc. Andrew Perez-Averett, 110th MP Company, 759th MP Bn.
The Soldiers have been warm and friendly, Zupans said. The school is thankful for all the helping hands.
“Part of the reason why the program has been so successful at our school is because of (Lt. Col. Christopher) Burns, 759th MP Bn. commander, who has told me and his command that he is committed to the program ... that’s why we have such great and consistent support,” Zupans said. “The best part of the program is seeing the students and Soldiers working together and having fun.”
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