A Visit from Sergeant Vernon

     Mr. Vernon’s brother, Sergeant Vernon, of the United States Army, is one of the brave soldiers who have served in Iraq.  He visited our school on December 23, 2008.  All of his stories explaining his experiences in Iraq kept the students of Mr. Vernon’s Social Studies classes on the edge of their seats throughout the day.
    
     Sergeant Vernon has been stationed in Georgia, Kentucky, Germany, New York, Kuwait, and Iraq for over the past three-and-a-half years.  His stay in Iraq interested him the most.  He described its flora and fauna, which comprises many trees and mountains.  In addition, the “very hot” climate climbs as high as 132 degrees Fahrenheit on some days.  He explained that people in Iraq speak several languages.  Unlike in America, Iraqis read from right to left.  He believes that spending time in Iraq caused him to view the world in a very different way and he knows that these experiences have helped him to grow as a person.

     Sergeant Vernon decided to enter the military for a few reasons.  He was involved with Boys Scouts when he was younger and this work helped him to learn leadership qualities that have aided his success in the army.  He did not believe that college was the best option for him, so he was happy to join the army when he was presented with the opportunity upon graduation from High School.   In addition, he enjoyed outdoor activities and knew that being a part of the army would afford him outdoor adventures.
   
     He hopes that the war in Iraq will be completed by 2012.  Thank you to Sergeant Vernon for taking the time to speak with students at the Stroudsburg Junior High School.