Patriot's Day Guest Visits 6th Grade

Submitted by sarah.sumsion on

Captain Will Biesinger from the Utah Army National Guard's Special Forces and father of Emma, a 5th grader, came to visit the 6th graders at Cherry Creek Elementary on 9/11 for Patriot's Day.  He led Mrs. Sumsion's class in the Pledge of Allegiance (which was very neat!) and then shared his experience of how he was a school teacher and after the attacks on 9/11 felt inspired that he had something to offer the military and joined to help fight for freedom in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. After 6 years he became a captain. He explained about what is going on in Afghanistan and shared pictures of his time there, the people there and what school is like for children. Until 10 years ago girls were not even allowed to learn. Mostly, "school" is held under a tarp and they do their writing in the sand with their finger or a stick. Aren't we lucky to have cooled and heated classrooms with desks, chairs and the school supplies we need?  

Students were able to ask questions about what kinds of food the Afghan people eat (they eat a lot of goat), his favorite part of Afghanistan (a valley that used to be full of danger and conflict and now peace has been restored), what he'll remember most about Afghanistan (the good people there) and many other great questions.  Capt. Biesinger encouraged the students to read and learn all they can because knowledge is power! The way the Taliban prevents people from having power is by keeping them from learning. He taught that even as Americans have patriotism and love their country, so do many people all over the world, including the Afghan people. They love their country and fight for freedom too! We thank Capt. Biesinger for coming today and reminding us that there are more good people in the world than bad.  

Attributions
By Sarah Sumsion