FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (June 16, 2011) - "Army dude," a young voice said in amazement.
"Whoa, Army dude ..." another child said as Lt. Col. Tony Perry walked down the hallway of Bellows Spring Elementary School carrying his bulky rucksack.
Perry, inspector general at First Army Division East, was making his way to the elementary school library to set up for the third grade class.
An officer with 20 years of experience, Perry was asked to speak at Bellows Spring during the school's career week after First Army received a letter from Xavier Williams, a Bellows Spring student:
"Dear Soldier, would you please come to our school for career week. ... I have always wanted to see an Army suit. I can't wait to meet you."
Perry accepted the invitation enthusiastically.
"This is a great investment of time," he said. "It is important to impart wisdom to children. They are fun to be around and it is fun to see their bright ideas."
Perry has been involved with multiple youth organizations throughout the years, working with elementary and middle school students.
Bellows Spring was another opportunity for him to give back to the surrounding Fort Meade community. Located in Ellicott City, Bellows Spring conducted its eighth annual career week.
"Our hope is that students will be able to see opportunities for themselves in the wide variety of things that we bring to them," said Elizabeth Ivey, Bellows Spring school guidance counselor.
As more than 130 students filed into the school's small library, Perry put the final touches on his equipment display.
"Good morning, class!" he said.
"Good morning!" the children replied.
Perry began by telling the children about himself, his education and different hobbies. Perry also talked about his career as an Army field artilleryman and let the children look at his equipment.
Perry asked Xavier to stand up so he could try on body armor. As Perry placed the vest over Xavier's head, his knees wobbled a little under the weight.
"Whoa!" Xavier said when he felt the heaviness of the vest.
Perry laughed as he removed the body armor. He then played a video highlighting the capabilities of the field artillerymen.
"We were all kids once," Perry said. "I think sometimes that is easy to forget. I consider myself a big kid."
As the presentation came to an end, Perry asked the children if they had any questions. Immediately, hands shot into the air followed by a barrage of questions.
"Do you know my dad?"
"Have you ever been to war?"
"Have any of your ships ever sank?"
"What kind of math does a lawyer need?"
Perry took them all in stride, trying to answer the best he could.
"I was a little nervous about the questions they were going to ask, but it turned out OK," he said.
After the final questions had been asked, Perry called Xavier to the front of the room and presented him with a camouflage backpack and a few other Army tokens of appreciation for inviting him to talk to the class. Xavier kept the backpack on for the rest of Perry's presentation.
Before Perry said goodbye, he wanted to leave the children with a few final inspirational words.
"Treat others the way you want to be treated and always try to do the right thing," he said. "And remember, when you have a dream, you have a goal."
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