ADOPT-A-PLATOON’ PROGRAM TEACHES
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
The 'adopt-a-platoon'
program has become one of the most enjoyable aspects of the Global Connections
program. Begun by Mrs. Ida Hagg in 1998, mother of a son serving
in the United States Army, the program is designed to provide support to
American military personnel who are deployed around the globe.
"My son would write or make quick calls and tell me
about the nine soldiers in his platoon who stood for mail call every day,
and every day nothing came," Hägg recalled. "These soldiers were 18-,
19- and 20-year-olds, like my son. He asked if I would send some cards and
goodies to them, and not forget them during the holidays that were coming."
The result was the ‘adopt-a-platoon’ program, which has improved the quality
of life for over 10,000 soldiers deployed around the world.
Mrs. Cerqueira first became involved with the program after her initial
visit to Kosovo in 2000. Her classes adopted the 326th
Mobile Public Affairs Unit out of Reading, Pennsylvania. Commanded
by LtC. Seth Braverman, the 326th hosted Mrs. Cerqueira’s visit to Camp
Bondsteel. Since then, every rotation of
MPAD units has been adopted; 22nd MPAD out of Ft Bragg, N.C., 358th MPAD
out of Salt Lake City, Utah, 131st MPAD out of Mobile, Alabama, and the
302nd MPAD out of Los Angeles, Ca.
The Global Connection students have written letters to various units
serving in Kosovo. Most recently, Major James Crews, commander
of the 131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment was incredibly supportive
of the Global Connections Program.
He wrote to us, “I have felt the stress of being away
from my family and what happened on Sept. 11th. I was called to active
duty June 1, 2001, reporting to Ft. Drum. July, 2002, I deployed
to Kosovo for a tour and returning August 2001. I only got to see
my children for two weeks before I left again for Ft Polk, LA. I deployed
again on 24 Aug to the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana for
30 days. During this period I had been away from my children for 3 1/2 months
when during training we learned of the terrorist attacks in New York.
I immediately was over came with anger and sadness. The 10th
Mtn Division is from New York and some friends lost loved ones during the
attacks. However, we are soldiers and we continued our mission of training
and preparing for our deployment to Kosovo. We had to place the stress
of being away from our families during that period, terrorist attacks on
the U.S. and feeling the grief of our close friends who loss loved ones
in the back of our mind to complete the mission. Look to the future and
make the remaining months of your senior year a memorable one. Look forward
to reading your next letter."
Your Friend,
Major James Crews