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Tropic Lightning -- 27 June 2002
 Photo(s) by Sgt. Frank Magni Sgt. Arthur Harris, Co. A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt., primes the window frame of an administration building that will be used for the Hoala middle and high school.  A Soldier cleans equipment used to improve the Hoala campus during a community service project performed by Co. A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt. June 22.  Staff Sgt. Melchor Labrador, Co. A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt. paints a railing on the Hoala campus. | Infantry Soldiers help Wahiawa school in need By Sgt. Frank Magni 17th Public Affairs Det. When a small school of 120 students needed improvements around campus, 70 Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment responded. These Soldiers beautified the future campus of the Hoala middle and high school June 22. The Soldiers primed and painted future meeting and administration buildings, cleared brush from throughout the campus and removed unsightly logs that littered the grounds. "I read in the paper one day how this particular school was having problems with money and needed some work done to open in the fall and I thought it was a great opportunity for my Soldiers," said Capt. Gary Kramlich, Co. A, 1st Bn., 21st Inf. Rgt., commander. Hoala, a non-secular school located in Wahiawa approaches education differently. The small school teaches students from kindergarten through 12th grade on two campuses. Hoala has been in existence for 17 years and "focuses on character education," said Jef Fern, a teacher and parent from Hoala school. "We believe the parents are the main teachers and do much to involve them in the child's education," Fern said. But with the small size of his school Fern said the very active parent body and faculty needed some assistance in improving the middle and high school campus to open in the fall. "By having the Soldiers come out today, we have tripled our work force," Fern said. This is the first time the Army has done community service with Hoala School and Kramlich said the experience has been nothing but positive. "Unfortunately the community doesn't get to see us everyday because the post is closed," Kramlich said. "This is great exposure outside the post for both my Soldiers and the community they are working with." "I think it is extremely important for my Soldiers to see they can have a lasting impact on a community," Kramlich said. "And I think it is just as good for the community to see that the Army is here to help in every way." The unit hopes to return to Hoala in the future to help with additional tasks. "It would be such a blessing if the Soldiers could ever come out here again," Fern said. The school would also like to return the favor by setting up drink stands during road marches. "Now that we have helped these kids, the kids want to come back and help us and I think that is a positive circle of service," Kramlich said. |
