It is good to see the retiree community getting involved and helping with USFK’s continuing programs to send volunteers to help in Korean schools:

SUBAEK-RI, Gangwon Province, South Korea — U.S. Soldiers and military retireees volunteered to hold an English Camp at Subaek Elementary School here July 3.

The group went to the school to teach English and introduce American culture to the children.

Along with English lessons, the camp included activities such as bingo and coloring t-shirts.

Korean and American volunteers divided into three groups, taking part in teaching kindergarteners, 1-3 graders and 4-6 graders.

Parents and local residents also participated in the event to observe the children bonding with the Soldiers.

Many of their students had their first opportunity to experience American culture and to talk with an American Soldier.

Retired Sgt. Maj. Joseph Terry, chairman of the Dragon Hill Chapter, said they picked the rural location because the children in South Korea’s northeastern Gangwon Province would most likely have had little exposure to foreign culture.

“Normally we would go somewhere nearby Seoul or the Yongsan area,” said Terry. “But we wanted to go out and give the opportunity for the children outside the city that don’t get a lot of exposure to foreigners.”  [USFK.mil]

You can read the rest at the above link.

This was a great idea by whoever organized this because as the retired Sergeant Major said people living in rural areas in Korea have very little exposure to foreigners.  I visited many rural areas in Korea and found the people to be the nicest you will meet in Korea especially in Gangwon province.  These types of activities really do make a difference because when Koreans actually meet and interact with USFK servicemembers it often changes people’s perceptions of them created by the media and anti-US groups in Korea.