This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

U.S. Marines Share Their Overseas' Tour Experiences with RBR Students

U.S. Marines Share Their Overseas' Tour Experiences with RBR Students

Red Bank Regional’s (RBR) Forensic Social Science class is a keystone course for the Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences. The course challenges students to think critically about issues of morality and to apply these issues to current and historical events. Just before school ended, the students in this class were studying a unit on global issues, and, specifically, America’s involvement in foreign policy initiatives.

To bring an eye-witness perspective to their classroom, RBR social studies teacher April Chichelo invited some U.S. marines to visit the class. Captain Simpson, Rochester, NY, Sgt. Riley, Georgia, Sgt. Baker, Mississippi and Staff Sgt. Ramos of Keyport, NY shared their experiences while on tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. All are currently assigned to active duty in New Jersey. (Ms. Chichelo is a personal friend of Captain Simpson.) While the soldiers talked about their combat role, with details given in a prepared power point presentation, they also discussed their US ambassador role. This included opening schools for children, opening hospitals for much needed healthcare, ensuring fair elections and training police and the military so these people can defend themselves when America exits this chapter of its history.

The Soldiers related stories that gave the students insight into their daily life, fears, and most rewarding experiences.

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

RBR student Amanda Umbehauer commented, “They were very personable and comical while telling their experiences but at the same time very informative. It was interesting to learn about the type of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, it was cool to learn about how the Marines opened schools and clinics for the citizens of Iraq.”

The kids even were able to try an authentic MRE (meals-ready-to-eat). That experience coupled with the stories of the intense Middle Eastern heat, poor sleeping conditions, among other things, gave the students a high appreciation of our military’s sacrifices to protect our freedoms.

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

            Charlie Travis, a junior in the class, was particularly interested by the marines’ relationships with civilians. All of soldiers had established strong bonds with local leaders and the Iraqi or Afghan police they were training. The marines told them of the local populations’ extreme hospitality, how they were always welcomed into their homes, and how they LOVED the food they were offered. They also stressed how excited the kids, especially the girls, were to go to school – once the marines ensured that it was safe to attend the school.

While we sometimes read negative stories in the press or watch critical TV accounts about instances with our military and the civilian populations, RBR students learned that Sgt. Baker’s Afghani friends cried when he left and that Sgt. Riley was hugged and thanked by the local Afghans who waved American flags in gratitude as he exited the country.

            April Chicelo states, “While the marines refrained from discussing the political side of the wars, I think they gave the kids a sense of the good that has been done by American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are so grateful that these brave gentlemen took the time from their duties to share their stories with our students.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?