FLORENCE — More than 400 students from Hartsville Middle School took the opportunity Tuesday to educate themselves about military conflicts from the Civil War to the War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This education didn’t come from a textbook or from their teachers. Tuesday, it came from veterans and active duty military personnel coupled with more than 116 photographs on display as part of “The American Soldier” exhibit at Florence Civic Center.
As part of the tour, the students heard veterans talk about their experiences in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
U.S. Army National Guard Lt. Col. Lawrence Miller, battalion commander of the 51st Military Police based in Florence, was one of them that talked to the children about his experiences.
“The educational foundation is the key to all success in life. We wanted to express that and how it impacts their service if the students choose to serve in the military later on in life,” he said.
The 51st Battalion is one of several sponsors that has supported the national touring exhibit from the start. Members of the battalion came to the exhibit several times and talked with children, educating them on what it means to serve in the military.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Barry Wingard of Florence served in the military for many years and came out of retirement to serve most recently in Afghanistan.
Wingard talked with the children Tuesday about the culture of the Afghan people and working with them. He also described about the MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) that the troops carried to eat while out on missions. Some of the children were interested to know that one small pouch of food could feed a soldier for an entire day.
Rocky Gannon of Darlington is a retired Air Force pilot, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and served in many wars and military conflicts. He told the children about the microphones he used while flying and showed them the bomber’s jacket he wore during missions.
Seventh-grade student Connor Guest said he didn’t realize those in the military had to sacrifice so much, with what they eat, how they sleep and the harsh living conditions overall.
“It’s neat to see the pictures from all the different wars. There was a picture of an explosion that made me realize that people could’ve been hurt,” Connor said.
Miller said he felt the exhibit illustrated “strong emotional bonds.
“It’s about those that went before us and served so that we might be in a peaceful nation that we enjoy today,” he said.
Student Danielle Cottingham said she’s grateful to all the people who served in the country’s military.
“We should just be thankful for them and all that they did,” she said.
“The American Soldier” depicts the essence of soldiers serving in military conflicts and wars over more than 150 years. Tuesday was the exhibit’s last day in Florence. It will be disassembled and moved to Saginaw, Mich, where it will open Feb. 18.
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