I gained that just because we live in this country and have electricity, other people don't have the same things that we do like the kids in fort drum and Afghanistan. Also that I should be happy for what I have and don't worry about what I don't have.
I learned that some of the people in the Middle East actually have vehicles. I had thought before that the people in the Middle East were too poor to buy cars or even bicycles. Also I learned that they build things right on the side of the road instead of leaving space for a sidewalk. Another thing I learned was that communities had to put together their money if they needed a bridge built. I learned a lot today from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum.
I learned that women, when married, don’t show their faces in public. They were fabric over their faces. And Afghanistan doesn’t have any laws on driving safety. Also the children are eager to meet American soldiers. Also the people of Afghanistan, in certain areas, don’t get a lot of news of the outside world.
I thought that there was signifigant insights into the villages. It was nice seeing the pictures and hearing the stories behind them. With the insight I got a better perspective of what it was like there for children, and what the land, and transpotation there was like.
I learned a lot more than I do reading the book. its hard to concentrate on the book beacause there were hard vocabulary and I don't like to read that much. The sargeants used pictures and actually talking to people that worked with people in Afghanistan helped a lot more than just reading the book. I realized that there were schools for boys and then there were schools for girls. I also realized that those people really didn't have much.
One of the insights I gained from from listening to them was that us Americans take a lot for granted, some of which we don't even realize. Examples would be cable television,pens, internent, good food and clean water. Another was that the children did not even relize how bad of a situation they are in and how much they are missing out on. Also I learned why we really are fighting, and now I believe that this war is important and could become an important part of history and affect our style of living. The most important thing I learned was that getting an education is really important and I didn't realize until now how lucky we are to wake up every morning and go to school to gain an education beacause most kids don't get that oppurtunity when they would really appreciate the chance to go to school every morning.
I learned that even though Pakistan and Afghanistan are beautiful countries similar to ours that the people who live there have very different lifestyles than we do. First of all they have no electricity, no showers or baths, and no television. After hearing the visitors talk I realized that us people in the United States have a very easy life compared to those tribes. Children when they are old enough to walk receive chores that they must complete every day. These chores most of the time decide their survival. My only chore at home is to put my clean clothes away and to clean the table after dinner. As talked about in the book 12 and 13 year old boys take the village livestock out every day to graze. While doing this they have to watch for wolves and also have to make sure that the livestock (sheep, goats, rams) stay together and that one is not lost. I also, learned that the Taliban (a terrorist group) partially controls all of the villages through intimidation. When Pennies for Peace was started and the first school was built in Korphe the news spread world wide and every Middle East country wanted to have schools. Not just schools for boys either. A school that taught boys and girls equally and treated them with the same conditions was the goal. We are very fortunate that in the United States children especially girls can receive a full education.
After listening to the two soldiers speak yesterday, it made me feel very lucky to live in the country I do. The children have many more responsibilities at a young age, and their education is mostly finished at the age that we are now. One of the things that made me feel for the children was when Sgt. Reeder said that the little girls were eager to see what they looked like. They didn't understand the purpose of a camera, and most of them had never seen what they look like before, because mirrors are not that common. Another thing that stunned me was the condition of their roads. The fact that it would take someone four hours to travel a distance that would take us about one hour is amazing. However,as was stated, they are proud of their country. Sgt. Reeder also said that they are people too, just like us. That is one thing that connects us all in this world.
I learned that Americans have a better life than people in the Middle East. The kids over there are fascinated with pens and paper, while in the U.S. we take those types of things for granted. In Afghanistan kids stop their education at a very young age. In the United States kids complete their education at 18, and many continue their education after that. Also, girls are forced to marry when they are very young. In America marrying at age 15 is illegal. I also understand why we are fighting this war. America is fighting this war because we are trying to make life better for people who are threatened by the Taliban.
In America we take stuff for granted. We think pens are just something to write with. But in Pakistan some of the children haven't written with anything but a stick and mud. In Pakistan there isn't a lot of clean water to drink, but in America we have so much clean drinking water. In America we have higher education opportunities for girls. Girls can go to school and even go to college in America, but in Pakistan some girls don't even go past elementary school in their education. Also we aren't always fighting in the Middle East. We try to improve the lives of the people in that area. The people want to help us, but they are scared to help us because of the Taliban.
I have learned that one of our main goals in the Middle East right now is gain the trust and support of the people in the Middle Eastern, and to help them. The al-Qaida brain washed the people in the Middle East to believing that we are bad, and even when we proved that we wanted to help them; the people were still intimidated by the al-Qaida. The people want to help us rid their country of terror, but they are afraid al-Qaida will kill them. I have also learned that the roads in the Middle East are very hard, and dangerous to travel on, even for US army vehicles; and when a vehicle in the Middle East breaks down, the owner will do what is needed to fix it (right where it is). The people in the Middle East are actually very smart; they are just not well educated; and the people will do what they can (amazing things to live). Some people who lived in rock houses actually put boards in between the rock. SFC Kevin Reeder was wondering why they did this and asked; the reason was to absorb the energy from earthquakes (to prevent the house from falling).
I agree with Abby and how she said we take things for granted in America, because we do. Some things we take for granted may be having drinkable water, or being able to turn on a light, it might even be we take going back from school to an air-conditioned or heated house. One more thing we may take for granted is coming home to a family. In Pakistan, some villagers go home to a tent to live in without a single family member. When they want light they have to light a lamp, and they can't use a television or a computer. When they want something to drink it's either tea (made with dirty water) or plain water. But their water isn't safe to drink. Their water is contaminated and dangerous to drink. Here in America, we don't have to worry about things like that because we have laws to protect us. In Pakistan there are no laws protecting the villagers from dirty water. The presentation from the soldiers from Fort Drum really opened my eyes to see just how lucky we are in America
I leaned that just because you are in the army it does not mean that you are necessarily always in war or fighting. I leaned this by the comment that SFC Kevin Reeder said which was that “about only 10% of soldiers are really in war or combat at the time they are in service.”
I learned that the children in Pakistan would grab their pens from their pocket because they didn’t have anything to write with. Every time someone like them go into a village they give away candy to the children. That the Husbands won’t even let their wives look at the Americans as they walk down the street.
I see now from the soldiers from Fort Drum coming in that we take a lot for granted. Electricity, a roof over our head, and going to the store to buy what ever you need are some the lucharies that some people don't have, but we do in the U.S. For example, the people in Afganistan really don't have a social life, they mainly just try too surivive. School which some of us would rather not be, the children in Afganistan would cut off an arm and a leg just to get an education.
some insight i gained from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker is that cultures in the middle east are differ greatly from those that make up the mass culture of the United States. for example it is law that women cover their faces and every part of their bodies to signify that they are in a marriage commitment. also that, as bryant said, only about 10% of soldiers actually experience combat. the rest can be involved in traveling throughout the area.
I learned to be more appreciative and thankful for what I have and where I live. In Afghanistan and Pakistan most people don’t have electricity, running water, and that much food and water. Most children don’t get educated, whether it’s because of no school or they are needed more on family farms and taking care of the livestock. Also, before pennies for peace and the CAI, most schools didn’t allow girls. Some children in Afghanistan and Pakistan want to go to school and get an education but can’t. In the United Sates it is a law to get an education. Even though some mornings I don’t want to get up and go to school and am thankful that I have the opportunity to do so. While they sadly don’t.
The insights I gained from listening to SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum is that Afghanistan doesn’t have laws enforced. They actually don’t have any laws at all. There are no speed limits in Afghanistan, but there are in the United States. I also fund it cool that the children would want them to take their picture so they could see what they looked like because they probably don’t own a mirror. I also think it’s cool that they are fascinated by pens and how they would try and take them from the soldiers. Also if a village wants something in their village then they have to raise the money themselves. In the United States if we need something in the town or village they pay for it. Afghanistan also has 2 lane roads that look like they are a one lane road. They also don’t get a lot of clean water and food in Pakistan. The Taliban is controlling this country by saying girls can’t go to school. I also think it’s weird that girls our age are getting married in Afghanistan.
I agree that, as Americans, we don't realize how lucky we are. We take many things for granted, like constant electricity, a safe environment, and the right to an education. The people who live in the rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanisatn don't have elctricity to cook or take showers. Sometimes they don't even have clean water. In this area, there is also a war going on that the people have to try to avoid and live through. In America, we are given the right to an education. In Afghanisatn and Pakisatn, many of the children don't get past a fifth-grade education. It is important for these children to get an education, so other ways of life aren't destoyed from ignorance.
I agree with Hilary and Abby. I learned a lot from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker. People who live in Pakistan and Afghanistan, even though surrounded by beautiful landscape, lead a very different life from ours here in America. Afganistan and Pakistan don't have electricity (and if they do, it's a small amount), no baths/showers, not a whole lot of clean water, and everyone who lives in the village has a ton of chores. My chores are very simple...help wash the dishes/load them into the dish washer after breakfast and dinner, do my own laundry, and help clean up around the house. These people have to do chores in order to survive. Kids our age have enormous amounts of responsibiliy. Also, like Abby said, we people who live in America take everything for granted. We have electricity, nice homes, clean clothes, television, edjucation, and more. The kids don't receive a whole lot of edjucation and they live in crouded, some times durty, environments. Most likely to them, how we live would be heaven! For the girls, they have to live like...I guess one would say property. They aren't allowed to show their faces in public, are not allowed to look/touch men other than family, they aren't able to get a proper edjucation, and they are forced into arranged marriage! So life here in America is most definatly one of the better places to live.
I learned that it is not just firing shots at each other for hours it happens very little and for only a short amount of time. The solders spend most of there time helping the villages building things they need.
The two Fort Drum soldiers gave me a hands on look of the situation in Afghaninstan. They hold vital iformation that many Americans are too arrogant and stubborn to understand: their life may be slightly different but they are people too that have a family to care about and worry about the necessities in life that we take for granted. Education, food, not being in constant danger. yes truely their lives are tough but they are a good people and should be treated as such. Before I end my post I have to thank SFC Kevin Reeder andSSG Shawn Shoemaker for coming out and showing us what is truly the Middle East...and giving us a break from the hectic school lives that we all have.
i learned about thier community. that they had vehicles and bicicles. i thought that they were kind of savage like. that they walked everywhere, and that their clothing was more ragged ten it was. also that when a woman was married they wernt allowed to show thier face to anyone. this suprised me greatly. also that if the village wanted to build something like a brig=dge or a new building like a church maybe, that the whole community would have to work together to gain enough money to do this. also when a woman is married no man may touch them. i think..that if the children there were to live in america, that they would work all day long just to have wht we have. that includes electricity, clothing, food, money, buildings, education and many other things that they do not have.
From SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker coming to speak to us I learned quite a few things about the war and the geographic features of Afghanistan and Pakistan. One thing I learned about the war was that probably 90% of the war is actually going to the villages and getting to know and helping all the citizens in that village. The other 10% of the war was the actual firing of the weapons. I’m glad that I and many other students learned that. I learned that the geographic features of the land in Afghanistan and Pakistan are much different than I had ever imagined. I always thought that the land was ugly, rocky, dirt-covered, and rough. But the land is actually very pretty, green, and tree-covered in most of the places.
I think that i gained that we do need to start helping people besides are selves. Whether it is sending money or supplies to help people in other countries. That those people are just like us but don’t have everything we do and need more help than most of us do. Yes some of us need help to but they need more help than we do. Like school, money, maybe even things to eat off form like plates or bowls things like this are the things that make friends and differences in the world.
I learned that children value their pens and pencils so much and what the traditions were of the women, like hiding their face when they are married. Also I learned 90% of the time soldiers are getting to know the location and people and not fighting.
I agree with Nick because they were very smart and they told the sides of both Afghanistan and Pakistan civilians, and Americans. They soldiers had a first hand experience with the people and their cultures over there, which is quite scarce in the United states. They also talked about how they aided the people and went on missions just like Greg Mortenson. In fact, only about ten percent of the soldiers of in the Middle East, were actually there for combat. The visitors also said that when they did fight the shells would sometimes run non-stop for days, but most of the time, they would go for weeks or months without any actual combat. They are very amazing people.
I learned that the war was more than fighting, I learned that we are helping with there villages and I think it brought more of a reality to the situation with the pictures and talking to people who have been there working with the people of those country's who are understanding to there culture and ways of life.
Insights that I learned we are actually not fighting but helping the citizens. I learned that they do have cars and repair them anywhere they break down. A quote that was said really helped me understand what they were really doing over there “ If you give them a fish they eat for a day but if you teach them to fish they will eat for a life time.” It was really neat how the girls there were very interested in the digital camera and were excited to see what they look like! It made realize how truly blessed we are to have the small luxuries such as mirrors and running water. Some citizens were even lucky to get water for only a couple hours a day. They became interested in the littlest things that one boy in the picture was so proud of a toy his dad made for him, it was only a stick with some thin wire around it to make a car and the boy was really proud that he had this toy. This makes you rethink what is really important in your life and how much we actually have.
I am so glad that i got exposed to such insight. This changed a lot of my opinions toward the war and why our army is over in Pakistan and all over the Middle East. Before I didn't really appreciate why we are there. Now I know that we are trying to help them and make a better life for them. I know that we are not taking anything away from them and giving them many opportunities. I now know how people in Pakistan live and how the appreciate little things that people here don't think about appreciating. Things such as pens, pencils, notebooks, and candy. These are the little things that we can give back. Or we can give bigger things such as the school that Greg Mortensen built. All these things are a good way to bring a better life for these children and there families.
I enjoyed hte presentation they gave. I found it very eye opening. Before i thought that when they went over for war, thats all that went on. I didn't think that they went around to villages to help people in villages. As Emma said, 90% of the war is actually going to help and only 10% is actual fighting. Everything there is much different than i thought it to be. I didn't even think that there was mountains like that. Also the types of roads they had to travel on. They were high up on sides of mountains and only wide enough to barely fit a truck across it. That was dangerous. From their presentation i learned things that i never knew about and i really enjoyed them coming to our school
I learned that I shouldn't take things for granted because I have running water, plumbing, and electricity. I have more than the people in Afghanistan could ever imagine. I also learned that the soldiers don't just go over there to fight and kill. Like Murphy said 90% of the war is to help build schools and to help the people over there. The other 10% is just fighting.
I learned a lot from the soldiers. I learned that they take everything they have and cherish it, and we do tend to take things for granted, like Olivia and Abby said. I also learned that Pakistan and Afghanistan are very similar in country wise, but they have very many different lifestyles than we do. Also something I learned was that the fighting there isn't as long as it seems. It lasts a very short amount of time, which surprised me at first. But then he mentioned that they didn't have the equipment that they had. I agree with what Emma said also. Only 10% of it is fighting and the other 90% in helping.
After listening to the soldiers speak, I learned many new things about the Middle East. I learned that we Americans don't understand the value of something small. For instance, hot running water is a simple pleasure here, but for some countries that can either not afford it, or simple just cannot have it, hot running water would be a pleasure. In America, we have running water, plumnbing, and electricity. To some in the Middle East, this would be a luxury. Although some may have these simple pleasures, to others this would be a dream come ture. I learned a little bit about how the soldiers fighting in the War on Terror mostly do not fight. As Emma, Murphy, and Becky said, only about ninety percent of the war is rebuilding roads, schools, and helping the people. Soldiers fighting for either OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) or OEF (Operation Enuring Freedom) only experience about ten percent fighting outside the base wire. After listening to the soldiers experiences with the Middle East, I appreciate the things that I have, and do not focus as much on what I do not have.
The insights I got from listening to Kevin Reeder and Shawn Shoemaker is that some of the children steal their pens or pencils because they don't have any thing to write and to draw. They want to learn and want to write. Also that children have never really saw their own faces and want to see what they look like. It's sad that children want to just want to see themselfs and want to express themself by writing.
I enjoyed the visitors thoroughly. It brought a whole new look upon what I thought and what they actually saw. I enjoyed them coming in and talking about their experiences and there travels. I also learned that I should not take advantage of the electricity and running water that I take so much for granted. I also learned that 10% that the soldiers are doing in Afghanistan and Iraq is fighting. The other 90%is the men in the war is getting to know the people and the surroundings.
Listening to the soldiers forced me to think how much more we have than other countries. It also opened my eyes to the fact that we have so much and don't usually appreciate it and those third world countries have so little but appreciate it all. It makes me wonder what runs through their heads when they see all of us over here driving around in our big SUV's and with designer clothes just acting like we are so tough and cool because we have all the material things. But then they are there with not a lot at all to us, whose community relationships are so much stronger than our's cherishing everthing they have.
I learned the people of these countries are mostly peaceful people, not all terrorists like the media makes them out to be. they had first-hand experience and i am glad they shared it with us. it was a little lengthy though.
Listening to the soldiers made me think how much more we have than other contries.It also made me think on may much we do have but we dont appreciate it.People in other countries die to have an education and we just some of us just go to pass time and complain about how boreing it is. But we really dont think about others and what they dont have and complain about what we do have.
I learned that even though sometimes we think we have a hard life we should think about all the other people in like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Those people have it worse than we do. We actually have it quite easy. Those people don’t have running water or electricity and they have very few cars. The solders and that if they had their car, cars break down then they would stop in the middle of the road get out and fix the problem then get back in and drive away. With having them come I realized how well we have in the U.S
Watching and listening to the sargents really showed me that just because other countries don't have the same things as us like clean water doesen't mean that they are bad people.
In Afghanistan and Pakistan most people don’t have electricity, running water, and that much food and water. Most children don’t get educated, whether it’s because of no school or they are needed more on family farms but I enjoyed the visitors thoroughly. It brought a whole new look upon what I thought and what they actually saw
i learned that the streets are very narrow.i agree with sara because we do have a lot more than other third world countries. we do think that, " wow we have so much power, we can do whatever we want!", while the other countries appreciate what they already have, which is very little. they cherish every bit of there lives while we just waste ours.sara's explaination was reasonable and understanding.
In Korohe I did not now that they would have electricity in a very poor little country. But I thought it was very nice that the 2 sergeants had taken their time to come and talk
I learned that there are alot of villages that are in the same or worse condition than Korphe. I also learned that alot of people do not have the same ammenities or luxurys like TV and Running water and Electricty or TV, and that we should be gratefull for waht we have.
I learned that when women got married they had to wear a cloth over their face. Also, i learned that they life a very hard life and that people don't get as much outside news as we do. Also, they are very poor but are happy with their lifestyle and don't complain although we do and our life is much better then theirs.
It made me realize how fortunate we are and how we take so much for granted in our society. Over there, children are facinated by pens and pencils and things like that, where here we don't even think about it when we listen to our iPods every day, or come home and eat a snack after school. Kids over there don't get opprotunites like that a lot of the time, and it makes you realize how fortunate you are.
I think we take things for granted in America, because we do. Some things we take for granted may be having drinkable water, or being able to turn on a light, it might even be we take going back from school to an air-conditioned or heated house. One more thing we may take for granted is coming home to a family. Even being able to walk down to the movies and watch movies all day insted of working ar buts off all day.
I thought their visit was very interesting because I learned a lot mroe about other villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I thought it was very interesting that a lot of people wanted their picture taken so they could see a good clear picture of themselves.
I also learned that war isn’t all just fighting. I agree that most of us will sometimes take things for granted and not realize it. We should all realize how lucky we are. That we have clean water, homes, and electricity. and also that we don’t have to sit in the dirt, writing our school work out with a stick in the dirt. Like Allyssa Hampson said, kids over there think that paper and pens are fascinating because they don’t ever get to use the regular everyday things that we get to use. And most of the things that we end up taking for granted, they are thrilled with.
I learned that, in life many things are going to change and most of us will take things for granted, and it’s not right. War isn’t all just about fighting and battling. We have basically everything here. One of the smallest things over there would interest a child. Us on the other hand we would just throw it away. I learned not to throw things away that children over there don’t have because we could ship it over to them.
I learned that even though we dont get the latest technology and toys we still have food, clothing, shelter and electricity. Also not everybody in the world does so i now know that we are very lucky to live in a society like ours.
I learned many things from the guest speakers when they talked about the people in Pakistan. First of all they have no electricity, no showers or baths, and no television. After hearing the visitor’s talk I realized that us people in the United States have a very easy life compared to those people in Pakistan.
I learned that American's take a lot for granted. Most people in Afghanistan and Pakistan don't have the things that most American's take for granted like electricity, some people are without housing and food sometimes. I think more American's need to learn about life there and learn how lucky we are to have all of the things we have.
I learned that the kids down in fort drum and Afghanistan don’t have all the things we have up here. And at some times we think we aren’t satisfied with all of the stuff that we have up here and we just want more and more when the people down in Pakistan are just happy with what little they have.
I found out that the war is not all about fighting, and only 10% of it is fighting with guns, and the other parts were trying to help the people. After gaining their trust, the people could help them by telling the solders where the terrorists are hiding. Also I have learned that besides their culture the people are still much like us. Such as how the kid like to play with toys or how the adults still talk.
When SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker came to our school I thought that they would be talking mostly about killing and guns in the war, but instead they told us that only 10 percent of the people in the army are in the actual war, and, the other 90 percent are trying to get to know the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Another thing that I learned was that the Geographic features of Pakistan was much, much different than ours, like the roads weren't very good, and there were no car railings for at least a little protection. But, the land is actually very green and tree-covered in most of the places.
I gained that just because we live in this country and have electricity, other people don't have the same things that we do like the kids in fort drum and Afghanistan. Also that I should be happy for what I have and don't worry about what I don't have.
ReplyDeleteI learned that some of the people in the Middle East actually have vehicles. I had thought before that the people in the Middle East were too poor to buy cars or even bicycles. Also I learned that they build things right on the side of the road instead of leaving space for a sidewalk. Another thing I learned was that communities had to put together their money if they needed a bridge built. I learned a lot today from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum.
ReplyDeleteI learned that women, when married, don’t show their faces in public. They were fabric over their faces. And Afghanistan doesn’t have any laws on driving safety. Also the children are eager to meet American soldiers. Also the people of Afghanistan, in certain areas, don’t get a lot of news of the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI thought that there was signifigant insights into the villages. It was nice seeing the pictures and hearing the stories behind them. With the insight I got a better perspective of what it was like there for children, and what the land, and transpotation there was like.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot more than I do reading the book. its hard to concentrate on the book beacause there were hard vocabulary and I don't like to read that much. The sargeants used pictures and actually talking to people that worked with people in Afghanistan helped a lot more than just reading the book. I realized that there were schools for boys and then there were schools for girls. I also realized that those people really didn't have much.
ReplyDeleteOne of the insights I gained from from listening to them was that us Americans take a lot for granted, some of which we don't even realize. Examples would be cable television,pens, internent, good food and clean water. Another was that the children did not even relize how bad of a situation they are in and how much they are missing out on. Also I learned why we really are fighting, and now I believe that this war is important and could become an important part of history and affect our style of living. The most important thing I learned was that getting an education is really important and I didn't realize until now how lucky we are to wake up every morning and go to school to gain an education beacause most kids don't get that oppurtunity when they would really appreciate the chance to go to school every morning.
ReplyDeleteI learned that even though Pakistan and Afghanistan are beautiful countries similar to ours that the people who live there have very different lifestyles than we do. First of all they have no electricity, no showers or baths, and no television. After hearing the visitors talk I realized that us people in the United States have a very easy life compared to those tribes. Children when they are old enough to walk receive chores that they must complete every day. These chores most of the time decide their survival. My only chore at home is to put my clean clothes away and to clean the table after dinner. As talked about in the book 12 and 13 year old boys take the village livestock out every day to graze. While doing this they have to watch for wolves and also have to make sure that the livestock (sheep, goats, rams) stay together and that one is not lost. I also, learned that the Taliban (a terrorist group) partially controls all of the villages through intimidation. When Pennies for Peace was started and the first school was built in Korphe the news spread world wide and every Middle East country wanted to have schools. Not just schools for boys either. A school that taught boys and girls equally and treated them with the same conditions was the goal. We are very fortunate that in the United States children especially girls can receive a full education.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to the two soldiers speak yesterday, it made me feel very lucky to live in the country I do. The children have many more responsibilities at a young age, and their education is mostly finished at the age that we are now. One of the things that made me feel for the children was when Sgt. Reeder said that the little girls were eager to see what they looked like. They didn't understand the purpose of a camera, and most of them had never seen what they look like before, because mirrors are not that common.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that stunned me was the condition of their roads. The fact that it would take someone four hours to travel a distance that would take us about one hour is amazing. However,as was stated, they are proud of their country. Sgt. Reeder also said that they are people too, just like us. That is one thing that connects us all in this world.
I learned that Americans have a better life than people in the Middle East. The kids over there are fascinated with pens and paper, while in the U.S. we take those types of things for granted. In Afghanistan kids stop their education at a very young age. In the United States kids complete their education at 18, and many continue their education after that. Also, girls are forced to marry when they are very young. In America marrying at age 15 is illegal. I also understand why we are fighting this war. America is fighting this war because we are trying to make life better for people who are threatened by the Taliban.
ReplyDeleteIn America we take stuff for granted. We think pens are just something to write with. But in Pakistan some of the children haven't written with anything but a stick and mud. In Pakistan there isn't a lot of clean water to drink, but in America we have so much clean drinking water. In America we have higher education opportunities for girls. Girls can go to school and even go to college in America, but in Pakistan some girls don't even go past elementary school in their education. Also we aren't always fighting in the Middle East. We try to improve the lives of the people in that area. The people want to help us, but they are scared to help us because of the Taliban.
ReplyDeleteI have learned that one of our main goals in the Middle East right now is gain the trust and support of the people in the Middle Eastern, and to help them. The al-Qaida brain washed the people in the Middle East to believing that we are bad, and even when we proved that we wanted to help them; the people were still intimidated by the al-Qaida. The people want to help us rid their country of terror, but they are afraid al-Qaida will kill them. I have also learned that the roads in the Middle East are very hard, and dangerous to travel on, even for US army vehicles; and when a vehicle in the Middle East breaks down, the owner will do what is needed to fix it (right where it is). The people in the Middle East are actually very smart; they are just not well educated; and the people will do what they can (amazing things to live). Some people who lived in rock houses actually put boards in between the rock. SFC Kevin Reeder was wondering why they did this and asked; the reason was to absorb the energy from earthquakes (to prevent the house from falling).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Abby and how she said we take things for granted in America, because we do. Some things we take for granted may be having drinkable water, or being able to turn on a light, it might even be we take going back from school to an air-conditioned or heated house. One more thing we may take for granted is coming home to a family. In Pakistan, some villagers go home to a tent to live in without a single family member. When they want light they have to light a lamp, and they can't use a television or a computer. When they want something to drink it's either tea (made with dirty water) or plain water. But their water isn't safe to drink. Their water is contaminated and dangerous to drink. Here in America, we don't have to worry about things like that because we have laws to protect us. In Pakistan there are no laws protecting the villagers from dirty water. The presentation from the soldiers from Fort Drum really opened my eyes to see just how lucky we are in America
ReplyDeleteI leaned that just because you are in the army it does not mean that you are necessarily always in war or fighting. I leaned this by the comment that SFC Kevin Reeder said which was that “about only 10% of soldiers are really in war or combat at the time they are in service.”
ReplyDeleteI learned that the children in Pakistan would grab their pens from their pocket because they didn’t have anything to write with. Every time someone like them go into a village they give away candy to the children. That the Husbands won’t even let their wives look at the Americans as they walk down the street.
ReplyDeletei feel bad for the people in Afghanistan because they dont have clean water, or very much electricity
ReplyDeleteI see now from the soldiers from Fort Drum coming in that we take a lot for granted. Electricity, a roof over our head, and going to the store to buy what ever you need are some the lucharies that some people don't have, but we do in the U.S. For example, the people in Afganistan really don't have a social life, they mainly just try too surivive. School which some of us would rather not be, the children in Afganistan would cut off an arm and a leg just to get an education.
ReplyDeletesome insight i gained from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker is that cultures in the middle east are differ greatly from those that make up the mass culture of the United States. for example it is law that women cover their faces and every part of their bodies to signify that they are in a marriage commitment. also that, as bryant said, only about 10% of soldiers actually experience combat. the rest can be involved in traveling throughout the area.
ReplyDeleteI learned to be more appreciative and thankful for what I have and where I live. In Afghanistan and Pakistan most people don’t have electricity, running water, and that much food and water. Most children don’t get educated, whether it’s because of no school or they are needed more on family farms and taking care of the livestock. Also, before pennies for peace and the CAI, most schools didn’t allow girls. Some children in Afghanistan and Pakistan want to go to school and get an education but can’t. In the United Sates it is a law to get an education. Even though some mornings I don’t want to get up and go to school and am thankful that I have the opportunity to do so. While they sadly don’t.
ReplyDeleteThe insights I gained from listening to SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Drum is that Afghanistan doesn’t have laws enforced. They actually don’t have any laws at all. There are no speed limits in Afghanistan, but there are in the United States. I also fund it cool that the children would want them to take their picture so they could see what they looked like because they probably don’t own a mirror. I also think it’s cool that they are fascinated by pens and how they would try and take them from the soldiers. Also if a village wants something in their village then they have to raise the money themselves. In the United States if we need something in the town or village they pay for it. Afghanistan also has 2 lane roads that look like they are a one lane road. They also don’t get a lot of clean water and food in Pakistan. The Taliban is controlling this country by saying girls can’t go to school. I also think it’s weird that girls our age are getting married in Afghanistan.
ReplyDeleteI agree that, as Americans, we don't realize how lucky we are. We take many things for granted, like constant electricity, a safe environment, and the right to an education. The people who live in the rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanisatn don't have elctricity to cook or take showers. Sometimes they don't even have clean water. In this area, there is also a war going on that the people have to try to avoid and live through. In America, we are given the right to an education. In Afghanisatn and Pakisatn, many of the children don't get past a fifth-grade education. It is important for these children to get an education, so other ways of life aren't destoyed from ignorance.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hilary and Abby. I learned a lot from SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker. People who live in Pakistan and Afghanistan, even though surrounded by beautiful landscape, lead a very different life from ours here in America. Afganistan and Pakistan don't have electricity (and if they do, it's a small amount), no baths/showers, not a whole lot of clean water, and everyone who lives in the village has a ton of chores. My chores are very simple...help wash the dishes/load them into the dish washer after breakfast and dinner, do my own laundry, and help clean up around the house. These people have to do chores in order to survive. Kids our age have enormous amounts of responsibiliy.
ReplyDeleteAlso, like Abby said, we people who live in America take everything for granted. We have electricity, nice homes, clean clothes, television, edjucation, and more. The kids don't receive a whole lot of edjucation and they live in crouded, some times durty, environments. Most likely to them, how we live would be heaven!
For the girls, they have to live like...I guess one would say property. They aren't allowed to show their faces in public, are not allowed to look/touch men other than family, they aren't able to get a proper edjucation, and they are forced into arranged marriage! So life here in America is most definatly one of the better places to live.
I learned that it is not just firing shots at each other for hours it happens very little and for only a short amount of time. The solders spend most of there time helping the villages building things they need.
ReplyDeleteThe two Fort Drum soldiers gave me a hands on look of the situation in Afghaninstan. They hold vital iformation that many Americans are too arrogant and stubborn to understand: their life may be slightly different but they are people too that have a family to care about and worry about the necessities in life that we take for granted. Education, food, not being in constant danger. yes truely their lives are tough but they are a good people and should be treated as such. Before I end my post I have to thank SFC Kevin Reeder andSSG Shawn Shoemaker for coming out and showing us what is truly the Middle East...and giving us a break from the hectic school lives that we all have.
ReplyDeletei learned about thier community. that they had vehicles and bicicles. i thought that they were kind of savage like. that they walked everywhere, and that their clothing was more ragged ten it was. also that when a woman was married they wernt allowed to show thier face to anyone. this suprised me greatly. also that if the village wanted to build something like a brig=dge or a new building like a church maybe, that the whole community would have to work together to gain enough money to do this. also when a woman is married no man may touch them. i think..that if the children there were to live in america, that they would work all day long just to have wht we have. that includes electricity, clothing, food, money, buildings, education and many other things that they do not have.
ReplyDeleteFrom SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker coming to speak to us I learned quite a few things about the war and the geographic features of Afghanistan and Pakistan. One thing I learned about the war was that probably 90% of the war is actually going to the villages and getting to know and helping all the citizens in that village. The other 10% of the war was the actual firing of the weapons. I’m glad that I and many other students learned that. I learned that the geographic features of the land in Afghanistan and Pakistan are much different than I had ever imagined. I always thought that the land was ugly, rocky, dirt-covered, and rough. But the land is actually very pretty, green, and tree-covered in most of the places.
ReplyDeleteI think that i gained that we do need to start helping people besides are selves. Whether it is sending money or supplies to help people in other countries. That those people are just like us but don’t have everything we do and need more help than most of us do. Yes some of us need help to but they need more help than we do. Like school, money, maybe even things to eat off form like plates or bowls things like this are the things that make friends and differences in the world.
ReplyDeleteI learned that children value their pens and pencils so much and what the traditions were of the women, like hiding their face when they are married. Also I learned 90% of the time soldiers are getting to know the location and people and not fighting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nick because they were very smart and they told the sides of both Afghanistan and Pakistan civilians, and Americans. They soldiers had a first hand experience with the people and their cultures over there, which is quite scarce in the United states. They also talked about how they aided the people and went on missions just like Greg Mortenson. In fact, only about ten percent of the soldiers of in the Middle East, were actually there for combat. The visitors also said that when they did fight the shells would sometimes run non-stop for days, but most of the time, they would go for weeks or months without any actual combat. They are very amazing people.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the war was more than fighting, I learned that we are helping with there villages and I think it brought more of a reality to the situation with the pictures and talking to people who have been there working with the people of those country's who are understanding to there culture and ways of life.
ReplyDeleteanna
Insights that I learned we are actually not fighting but helping the citizens. I learned that they do have cars and repair them anywhere they break down. A quote that was said really helped me understand what they were really doing over there “ If you give them a fish they eat for a day but if you teach them to fish they will eat for a life time.” It was really neat how the girls there were very interested in the digital camera and were excited to see what they look like! It made realize how truly blessed we are to have the small luxuries such as mirrors and running water. Some citizens were even lucky to get water for only a couple hours a day. They became interested in the littlest things that one boy in the picture was so proud of a toy his dad made for him, it was only a stick with some thin wire around it to make a car and the boy was really proud that he had this toy. This makes you rethink what is really important in your life and how much we actually have.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that i got exposed to such insight. This changed a lot of my opinions toward the war and why our army is over in Pakistan and all over the Middle East. Before I didn't really appreciate why we are there. Now I know that we are trying to help them and make a better life for them. I know that we are not taking anything away from them and giving them many opportunities. I now know how people in Pakistan live and how the appreciate little things that people here don't think about appreciating. Things such as pens, pencils, notebooks, and candy. These are the little things that we can give back. Or we can give bigger things such as the school that Greg Mortensen built. All these things are a good way to bring a better life for these children and there families.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed hte presentation they gave. I found it very eye opening. Before i thought that when they went over for war, thats all that went on. I didn't think that they went around to villages to help people in villages. As Emma said, 90% of the war is actually going to help and only 10% is actual fighting. Everything there is much different than i thought it to be. I didn't even think that there was mountains like that. Also the types of roads they had to travel on. They were high up on sides of mountains and only wide enough to barely fit a truck across it. That was dangerous. From their presentation i learned things that i never knew about and i really enjoyed them coming to our school
ReplyDeleteI learned that I shouldn't take things for granted because I have running water, plumbing, and electricity. I have more than the people in Afghanistan could ever imagine. I also learned that the soldiers don't just go over there to fight and kill. Like Murphy said 90% of the war is to help build schools and to help the people over there. The other 10% is just fighting.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from the soldiers. I learned that they take everything they have and cherish it, and we do tend to take things for granted, like Olivia and Abby said. I also learned that Pakistan and Afghanistan are very similar in country wise, but they have very many different lifestyles than we do. Also something I learned was that the fighting there isn't as long as it seems. It lasts a very short amount of time, which surprised me at first. But then he mentioned that they didn't have the equipment that they had. I agree with what Emma said also. Only 10% of it is fighting and the other 90% in helping.
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to the soldiers speak, I learned many new things about the Middle East. I learned that we Americans don't understand the value of something small. For instance, hot running water is a simple pleasure here, but for some countries that can either not afford it, or simple just cannot have it, hot running water would be a pleasure. In America, we have running water, plumnbing, and electricity. To some in the Middle East, this would be a luxury. Although some may have these simple pleasures, to others this would be a dream come ture. I learned a little bit about how the soldiers fighting in the War on Terror mostly do not fight. As Emma, Murphy, and Becky said, only about ninety percent of the war is rebuilding roads, schools, and helping the people. Soldiers fighting for either OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) or OEF (Operation Enuring Freedom) only experience about ten percent fighting outside the base wire. After listening to the soldiers experiences with the Middle East, I appreciate the things that I have, and do not focus as much on what I do not have.
ReplyDeleteThe insights I got from listening to Kevin Reeder and Shawn Shoemaker is that some of the children steal their pens or pencils because they don't have any thing to write and to draw. They want to learn and want to write. Also that children have never really saw their own faces and want to see what they look like. It's sad that children want to just want to see themselfs and want to express themself by writing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the visitors thoroughly. It brought a whole new look upon what I thought and what they actually saw. I enjoyed them coming in and talking about their experiences and there travels. I also learned that I should not take advantage of the electricity and running water that I take so much for granted. I also learned that 10% that the soldiers are doing in Afghanistan and Iraq is fighting. The other 90%is the men in the war is getting to know the people and the surroundings.
ReplyDeleteListening to the soldiers forced me to think how much more we have than other countries. It also opened my eyes to the fact that we have so much and don't usually appreciate it and those third world countries have so little but appreciate it all. It makes me wonder what runs through their heads when they see all of us over here driving around in our big SUV's and with designer clothes just acting like we are so tough and cool because we have all the material things. But then they are there with not a lot at all to us, whose community relationships are so much stronger than our's cherishing everthing they have.
ReplyDeletei learned that some of the towns in the middle east are isolated and dont get alot of news also i learned that they had no building codes
ReplyDeleteI learned the people of these countries are mostly peaceful people, not all terrorists like the media makes them out to be. they had first-hand experience and i am glad they shared it with us. it was a little lengthy though.
ReplyDeleteListening to the soldiers made me think how much more we have than other contries.It also made me think on may much we do have but we dont appreciate it.People in other countries die to have an education and we just some of us just go to pass time and complain about how boreing it is. But we really dont think about others and what they dont have and complain about what we do have.
ReplyDeleteI learned that even though sometimes we think we have a hard life we should think about all the other people in like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Those people have it worse than we do. We actually have it quite easy. Those people don’t have running water or electricity and they have very few cars. The solders and that if they had their car, cars break down then they would stop in the middle of the road get out and fix the problem then get back in and drive away. With having them come I realized how well we have in the U.S
ReplyDeleteWatching and listening to the sargents really showed me that just because other countries don't have the same things as us like clean water doesen't mean that they are bad people.
ReplyDeleteIn Afghanistan and Pakistan most people don’t have electricity, running water, and that much food and water. Most children don’t get educated, whether it’s because of no school or they are needed more on family farms but I enjoyed the visitors thoroughly. It brought a whole new look upon what I thought and what they actually saw
ReplyDeletei learned that the streets are very narrow.i agree with sara because we do have a lot more than other third world countries. we do think that, " wow we have so much power, we can do whatever we want!", while the other countries appreciate what they already have, which is very little. they cherish every bit of there lives while we just waste ours.sara's explaination was reasonable and understanding.
ReplyDeleteIn Korohe I did not now that they would have electricity in a very poor little country. But I thought it was very nice that the 2 sergeants had taken their time to come and talk
ReplyDeleteI learned that there are alot of villages that are in the same or worse condition than Korphe. I also learned that alot of people do not have the same ammenities or luxurys like TV and Running water and Electricty or TV, and that we should be gratefull for waht we have.
ReplyDeleteI learned that when women got married they had to wear a cloth over their face. Also, i learned that they life a very hard life and that people don't get as much outside news as we do. Also, they are very poor but are happy with their lifestyle and don't complain although we do and our life is much better then theirs.
ReplyDeleteIt made me realize how fortunate we are and how we take so much for granted in our society. Over there, children are facinated by pens and pencils and things like that, where here we don't even think about it when we listen to our iPods every day, or come home and eat a snack after school. Kids over there don't get opprotunites like that a lot of the time, and it makes you realize how fortunate you are.
ReplyDeleteI think we take things for granted in America, because we do. Some things we take for granted may be having drinkable water, or being able to turn on a light, it might even be we take going back from school to an air-conditioned or heated house. One more thing we may take for granted is coming home to a family. Even being able to walk down to the movies and watch movies all day insted of working ar buts off all day.
ReplyDeleteI thought their visit was very interesting because I learned a lot mroe about other villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I thought it was very interesting that a lot of people wanted their picture taken so they could see a good clear picture of themselves.
ReplyDeleteI also learned that war isn’t all just fighting. I agree that most of us will sometimes take things for granted and not realize it. We should all realize how lucky we are. That we have clean water, homes, and electricity. and also that we don’t have to sit in the dirt, writing our school work out with a stick in the dirt. Like Allyssa Hampson said, kids over there think that paper and pens are fascinating because they don’t ever get to use the regular everyday things that we get to use. And most of the things that we end up taking for granted, they are thrilled with.
ReplyDeleteI learned that, in life many things are going to change and most of us will take things for granted, and it’s not right. War isn’t all just about fighting and battling. We have basically everything here. One of the smallest things over there would interest a child. Us on the other hand we would just throw it away. I learned not to throw things away that children over there don’t have because we could ship it over to them.
ReplyDeleteI learned that even though we dont get the latest technology and toys we still have food, clothing, shelter and electricity. Also not everybody in the world does so i now know that we are very lucky to live in a society like ours.
ReplyDeleteI learned many things from the guest speakers when they talked about the people in Pakistan. First of all they have no electricity, no showers or baths, and no television. After hearing the visitor’s talk I realized that us people in the United States have a very easy life compared to those people in Pakistan.
ReplyDeleteI learned that American's take a lot for granted. Most people in Afghanistan and Pakistan don't have the things that most American's take for granted like electricity, some people are without housing and food sometimes. I think more American's need to learn about life there and learn how lucky we are to have all of the things we have.
ReplyDeleteI learned that us as americans dont relize how good we have it for are selves and that the children really like there pens and penclis.
ReplyDeleteI learned that the kids down in fort drum and Afghanistan don’t have all the things we have up here. And at some times we think we aren’t satisfied with all of the stuff that we have up here and we just want more and more when the people down in Pakistan are just happy with what little they have.
ReplyDeleteI found out that the war is not all about fighting, and only 10% of it is fighting with guns, and the other parts were trying to help the people. After gaining their trust, the people could help them by telling the solders where the terrorists are hiding.
ReplyDeleteAlso I have learned that besides their culture the people are still much like us. Such as how the kid like to play with toys or how the adults still talk.
When SFC Kevin Reeder and SSG Shawn Shoemaker came to our school I thought that they would be talking mostly about killing and guns in the war, but instead they told us that only 10 percent of the people in the army are in the actual war, and, the other 90 percent are trying to get to know the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Another thing that I learned was that the Geographic features of Pakistan was much, much different than ours, like the roads weren't very good, and there were no car railings for at least a little protection. But, the land is actually very green and tree-covered in most of the places.
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