Soldiers of the South Carolina National Guard, 4th and 118th Infantry Regiment attend an Adopt-a-Soldier event held at the MWR Dec. 13, 2012. Sixth grade students from Sumrall Middle School presented gifts to the soldiers returning from deployment to Kuwait. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Karen Sampson)
| | CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (1/6/2012) - Trimming the tree, wrapping presents or making wreaths are beloved traditions of the holidays.
Sixth grade students at Sumrall Middle School started their own holiday tradition this year, naming the occasion Adopt-a-Soldier. The students not only gave South Carolina National Guard soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, a hero's welcome, but also a holiday surprise. The soldiers recently returned from a deployment security-force in Kuwait.
The students and their teacher, Dana Jones, coordinated with the Camp Shelby Morale, Welfare and Recreation enlisted advisor, Staff Sgt. Latasha Williams, to host the Adopt-a-Soldier event in mid-December.
“Some students wanted to do a holiday event showing their support of the military by presenting them with Christmas gifts and songs,” said Williams. “It's inspiring that these students wanted support to soldiers who have been deployed.”
Upon the class finishing studies about World War II, Jones' students brainstormed an idea to put together a gathering dedicated to the soldiers for Christmas.
“The minute it was mentioned, it just took off,” said Jones who took pride in her student's endeavor. “They were just so excited about it.” |
