Augustans in Army Boots 'gave us all an appreciation' for soldiers

Editor:

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Thanks to Pat Buchholz for arranging the "Augustans in Army Boots" session as a one-day exercise for members of the business and education community.

We'd also like to give a very big thank you to the men and women of the 35th Signal Brigade who were our "battle buddies" for the day and gave us a brief snapshot into a day of an American warrior.

Taking a break from our offices and classrooms, we learned very quickly during the uniform and equipment assignments that this was going to be an extraordinary experience of a lifetime!

After going through the M-16 range practice and the field exercises where we learned field formation, assault road operations, and clearing a building in an urban warfare scenario, it came as no surprise to us that an individual certainly needs both physical and mental strength to endure a career in the military.

These men and women, some old enough to be our children, are out in the trenches every day protecting our freedom with their blood, sweat and tears.

The Augustans in Army Boots experience gave us all an appreciation for what these extraordinary professional individuals do every day so we can stay safe in our offices and classrooms preparing an education for the next generation of soldiers.

Brian Bowles

Lakeside Middle School

Tommy Kirk

Lakeside Middle School

Karen Ribble

Columbia County Schools

Mike Sleeper

Columbia County Board of Education