Jackson Cub Scouts talk to deployed Guardsman

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- November is Saluting Veterans Month for Pack 112 Bear Den of Jackson, Mo., and to learn more about what Soldiers are doing overseas, the Cub Scouts talked to a Missouri National Guardsman currently deployed to Afghanistan.

Using Skype technology at the Cape Girardeau armory, the boys, age's eight to ten, talked to Lt. Col. North Charles, who is currently deployed with the Agri-business Development Team IV.

"It's good for them to see what's happening with our Veterans overseas," said Todd Rushing, the Pack's leader. "We'd been planning this for awhile and they were so excited to talk to someone on the other side of the world."

Each boy was given a map of Afghanistan and a question about the deployment and life in Afghanistan to ask Charles.

"What part of Afghanistan are you in?" asked Rayt Middleton.

"That's a great question," replied Charles. "We're in Nangarhar Province, and if you look on your map it's in the upper right corner. It looks a lot like Missouri. There's big river and they grow a lot of wheat and corn here."

"What are the seasons like?" asked Jacob Cantoni.

"So far we've only seen one season and that is hot," said Charles, and everyone laughed. "When we first got here it was 110 degrees, so it was a little hard to get used to. Halloween weekend was 81 degrees and we thought that was pretty cool for us."

Charles also showed the boys his room and talked about the kind of equipment he wears every day, what the Afghan children are like and what kind of food he gets to eat when he visits Afghans.

"Because we go out on missions every day, we get to eat a lot of Afghan food," said Charles. "They make bread that looks a lot like a tortilla."

The boys were also interested in the Soldiers' mission and what they did every day.

"Why do our Soldiers have to be in Afghanistan?" asked Ryder Barnes.

"The Soldiers have to be in Afghanistan to help the country get organized to be able to take care of its people," said Charles. "Our number one priority is to help the Afghan's farm. We mostly teach them techniques. It's very rewarding to be able to help them make a better life for themselves."

Before saying good-bye, Charles thanked the boys for wanting to learn more about Veterans and the Guardsmen serving in Afghanistan.

"For us Veteran's Day is the one day everyone pauses and remembers ours service," said Charles. "We really appreciate that you've taken an interest in us over here. It really makes a difference for us to know that."

After saying good-bye, the boys were very animated about their talk.

"That was awesome," exclaimed Cantoni. "That was one of the best highlights of my young life. I never thought I'd get to talk to a Soldier."

Isaiah Cowgill thought it was pretty awesome too.

"I never thought I could talk to someone on the other side of the world," he said.

The Agri-business Development Team IV is a unique team facilitating agricultural reconstruction and development. The team is comprised of 72 Soldiers and Airmen from across the state specializing in agricultural animals, agronomy, hydrology, pest management, soil science, security and marketing. Their mission is to focus on energy, education, resource management, irrigation and water issues, value added enterprises and food safety.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.