Family, students and Congressman Rogers participate in first-ever public live videoconference with military personnel serving overseas
Veterans’ Day is not only about reflecting on the sacrifices made by Veterans in years past, it’s also about showing appreciation for the service and dedication of current military personnel. Meece Middle School fifth grade students were able to do so along with Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05) and the family of U.S. Marine Sergeant Phillip Stith. History was made during this first-ever public videoconference with military personnel serving overseas at The Center for Rural Development, headquartered in Somerset.
Sgt. Stith was deployed for service in Iraq on July 26. His mother, Linda, and wife, Amy, along with other family members have not seen him since he shipped out. “It was great just to see him again,” Ms. Stith said. “We are all so proud of him, and we have been looking forward to the opportunity to tell him so and that we love him. It was an amazing experience.”
His wife Amy commented, “This is the first time I have seen him since July 24. It was wonderful. When he left, it happened so quickly, and we barely had time to say goodbye. It’s been hard, but he has been strong for both of us.”
A group of seven students was permitted to interview Sgt. Stith and other Marines from Texas, New York, Florida and Kentucky during the videoconference. Their questions were thought-provoking and curiosity-driven and the marines’ responses were informative, yet kid-friendly, and at times, emotional. One student asked, “Why do you want to be a Marine?” Corporal Timothy Barg responded, “So you can enjoy the same freedoms I had growing up.”
“It’s an honor to host such a special event in honor of Veterans’ Day,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center. “We are thrilled to be a part of this first-ever videoconference of its kind in the U.S.”
During pre-videoconference activities at The Center, in celebration of Veterans’ Day, members of the fifth grade class recited a skit, sang songs and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. “This is a fitting tribute to all of those that have made this nation free,” said Congressman Rogers. Veterans were asked to stand and be recognized as the Congressman concluded, ”All of us at this moment stand in awe of our veterans for all that you have done.” The crowd in attendance responded with a standing ovation while many of the students waved small American flags they brought with them.
The videoconference was made possible in part by the Freedom Calls Foundation, a public charity organization which built a satellite network to support state-of-the-art communications to military personnel overseas. To date, the Foundation has three facilities in Iraq with 50 computers and 20 telephones at Camp Taji, located north of Bagdad in the Sunni triangle, and videoconferencing facilities at Camp Fallujah and Al Asad. More than 30,000 soldiers and marines in these camps now have 24/7 access to Freedom Calls’ services to keep in close touch with their families and loved ones at home free of charge. Currently, the Foundation is working to install facilities in eight additional Army camps on the front lines in Iraq, two Army camps in Afghanistan and eight more Marine camps this year.
According to John Harlow, Executive Director for Freedom Calls Foundation, “The Foundation was formed as a public charity because we believe family is important, particularly in times of war.”
For more information about Freedom Calls Foundation, visit their website at www.freedomcalls.org.
