An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Dec. 31, 2014

Soldiers "High Five," Give Back to Local Community

By Cpl. Song Gun-woo US Army

When living in another country, understanding differences in culture can be one of the biggest concerns people have. Getting along harmoniously with local nationals might seem intimidating and the language barrier makes it even more so. However, getting together with the community to lend a helping hand can help break the ice.

On December 23, six Soldiers from 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, received awards and recognition from Mayor Oh Se-chang of Dongducheon for their volunteer services teaching English to local students as a part of the local "High-Five" English program at the Dongducheon Yangju Office of Education in Dongducheon, South Korea.

The awards were given amidst a recital given by the local schools participating in the program as a way of saying thank you and showing the Soldier teachers how much they have learned.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde., worked in hand to hand with Sadong Elementary School in Dongducheon to help students learn English.

Both Lt. Col. Don Potoczny, commander of 1st Bn., 38th FA Regt., and Republic of Korea Army Sgt. Maj. Jung Hyun-sik, the Republic of Korea Army senior leader for the battalion, received awards.

Pfc. Chanese Jackson, one of the awardees and a field artillery firefinder radar operator assigned to the 333rd Forward Target Acquisition Battery, 1st Bn., 38th FA Regt., mentioned how the program helps both sides of the local community and U.S. Soldiers communicate and strengthen bonds between the two nations.

"I think it strengthens the alliance because it gives Soldiers the chance not only to fulfill the mission, it also shows the people of Dongducheon and Korea that we are here for them and the children," said Jackson.

Lt. Col. Michael Kimaball, commander of 1st Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde., and ROKA Sgt. Maj. Lee Su-hyun, the ROK senior enlisted leader for the battalion, represented their battalion in receiving the awards.

Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 15th FA Regt. have been teaching at Sangpae Elementary School and Dongducheon Middle School as part of the "High-Five" program each week.

Mayor Oh Se-chang of Dongducheon thanked the Soldiers for their services to the local community and how they were of great help to the students.

"I believe interacting with native speakers at a young age can help them reduce the fear of talking to foreigners as well as study their language," said Oh Se-chang. "I would like to thank the teachers [Soldiers] for their time this year and believe they had a fun time as well."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,367
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Marine Aircraft Group 12 concludes Cope North 24
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)
Feb. 28, 2024 - Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, completed Cope North 24, a three-week-long multinational aviation training exercise, alongside joint, partner, and allied forces in Guam and the Northern...

Department of Defense completes Underway Recovery Test 11 with NASA
U.S. Navy Divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 help NASA Astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor J. Glover Jr. out of a crew module test article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test 11, Feb. 25, 2024. In preparation for NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. Amphibious transport docks, like USS San Diego, have unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including embarking helicopters, launching and recovering small boats, three dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)
Feb. 28, 2024 - NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Landing and Recovery team and the Department of Defense successfully completed the second recovery test for the crewed Artemis II mission aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego...

Japanese Special Boat Unit, U.S. Naval Special Warfare Unit Conduct Joint Training Exercise
A West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit conducts underway training with members of a Japanese Special Boat Unit near Naval Base White Beach in Okinawa, Japan. Naval Special Warfare is the nation's elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet's reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea D. Meiller)
Feb. 28, 2024 - A West Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit integrated with a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Special Boat Unit (SBU) to conduct joint training on navigation, communications, radar, and more from Feb...

PACAF hosts Philippine Air Force for bilateral talks
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Weber, Air National Guard Assistant to the Pacific Air Forces Commander, provides opening remarks during an Airmen-to-Airmen Talk hosted by Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 13, 2024. Events like A2ATs enable PACAF personnel to expand foreign relations with Allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike)
Feb. 27, 2024 - Pacific Air Forces hosted leaders from the Philippines Air Force for a bilateral discussion and subject matter expert exchange on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 13-15, 2024...

America Arrives in Osaka
Feb. 27, 2024 - The forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier, USS America (LHA 6) with embarked Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Osaka, Japan, Feb. 27...