BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Freedom means many different things to different people. For some it may mean the freedom to vote for their chosen elected official. For others it may mean the freedom to travel freely without harassment. Regardless, most Americans recognize the freedom they enjoy is brought to them courtesy of servicemembers by hard fought sweat, tears and sometimes even their lives.

In celebration of Veterans Day, a middle school in Stillwater, Okla., is dedicating an entire week to honoring those who serve and have served. Stillwater Middle School held a video teleconference via Skype, Nov. 9, with soldiers deployed to Afghanistan at Bagram Air Field.

A seventh grade world studies teacher at Stillwater Middle School, Kristina Scott, thought it would be a great idea to allow her students to get military information straight from the source and turned to her husband Vince Scott. Vince, a retired Navy man, reached out and helped coordinate the VTC.

Once the request was put into motion, in true volunteer fashion, soldiers came out in droves to communicate with the students. In fact, many had to be turned away, as there just was not enough time to accommodate them all.

Time limitations kept the number of volunteers to six: three females and three males ranging in age, military jobs and rank. The crew was a true representation of today’s military, as diverse as the American society as a whole.

The kids at Stillwater Middle School composed a list of questions for the soldiers ranging from, “Why do so many countries, like Afghanistan and Iraq, go to war with our country?” to “What is your opinion on the drawdown in 2014?” Along with the question and answer portion the VTC was a “get to know you” opportunity for both the Soldiers and kids.

Approximately five classes with 150 students per VTC session filled the school’s library early in the morning eager to get a glimpse of soldiers deployed to Afghanistan. To enhance the experience, the soldiers’ image was projected on the library wall in full grandeur.

As a native of McAlester, Okla., Maj. Jeff Tzeng wanted to reach out to the Oklahoma kids and reinforce what can be accomplished if they apply themselves in school. Tzeng is the preventive medicine officer and surgeon for Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division at Bagram. In addition, as a graduate of Oklahoma State University, Tzeng felt a real geographical connection with the students.

“I spent most of my childhood growing up in Oklahoma,” said Tzeng. “I went to college at Oklahoma State, which is in Stillwater, so when I saw the announcement looking for volunteers I had to jump at the opportunity.”

“I think this particular age group has so many possibilities ahead of them,” added Tzeng. “I remember being that age and thinking what I wanted to do in the future, and having people in the military that I could look up to outside my immediate scope in Oklahoma pretty much shaped my future, so I wanted to help these kids the same way I was helped when I was a kid. It’s because of the exposure I received as a kid that made me want to be in the military and become a physician.”

Tzeng said that he wanted the kids to have a moment of reflection and remember the sacrifices that many of the soldiers are making on their behalf.

Another eager volunteer was Staff Sgt. Betty Brime, a chaplain’s assistant with DHHB, 1 ID. Brime, a mother of three, jumps at any opportunity to volunteer when children are concerned. This might be attributed to her military job, but it is safe to say that Brime is a real people person. Brime enjoys being a chaplain’s assistant because she is allowed to work closely with Soldiers.

“I have teenage kids in middle school also,” said Brime. “This allows me to impact them and let them know what’s going on over here. I want them to hear about the positive things that are going on over here.”

“We are doing some good things here,” said Brime, “and I wanted these kids to be aware of that.”

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