Working the metro when you are not familiar with it can be challenging. Then when you add in rush hour, Boy oh boy does it get tough! Most of the backpack journalist reporters have backpacks filled with their computers and cameras, and though they have all this technology, the notepads are always kept handy!
Today, we are to present at the AUSA Family Forum. We are showing, and perhaps you’ve already seen it, a DAY BY DAY overview of what we have been up to. From the operations room to the Health and Running Expo to the Opening Day of AUSA – it’s all going to be there!
In addition to the video, we were also tasked to present and speak directly to the attendees of the forum. Ms. D told us just the night before that she does not want us to be nervous! She says, “So what’s it like to be a military youth? If you could share something about your life what would you like to say? And, finally what do you think about your experience here with A Backpack Journalist?”
Zia tells us that she has helped choreograph our skit. And, we practice some. Stand up all together and then sit down. Keep the jacket zipped and the hood up. Turn around and sit down. We all agree we hope we remember what to do, and when. The words should be easy. They will come naturally. It’s who we are.
It’s 10:30 Tuesday morning. We have just sat through Gen. Jones’ dynamic presentation. He spoke about a few of IMCOM’s programs. Of course the word “resilency” kept coming up, and he even spoke about A Backpack Journalist. It’s very impressive and yet touching, after all, he knows about our program.
Then, Hal spoke. Hal started a group called Screamfree Institute. They do a lot for couples and for parenting. He was great fun to listen to, especially when he helped us understand what our parents are really about. So they are the parents, and we are the children? So they need to take care of themselves, and then “us”.
After Hal, it’s our turn. Ms. D is to speak only for a “few minutes” (Let me just say it’s a miracle if it’s only a few minutes, she can talk and talk about A Backpack Journalist for hours). She then introduces the Ft. Campbell Film which should help explain it all. And, it did. We were next and as each of us stood, we presented our short speech using a hand held mic. Only one of us was a “civilian” and that was Zia. She grew up in a home that never faced deployment! She spoke out brave and strong on how she had come to learn about us – military kids and our families and the sacrifices that we make! She got us off to a great start. Only one of us cried speaking, and then the audience clapped when she finished. Next, one made a comment about “big girl panties”, like how we have to put them on when her Dad gets deployed. And, then the two Youth Challenge guys spoke about their experiences, and even one had to pause to collect himself as he shared his experience as he “finally passed his math”. He mentioned also his recent interview with MG Lynn, and how much that meant to him. Then, finally Pedro wrapped it up. And when he did – he offered to all of the audience the following:
Rick Kiernan shared with us two key words about AUSA and our experience to come:
l. There will be lots of information. It will be very informational.
2. With all that information, don’t forget the emotional side. It will be inspirational.
Pedro then gave it back to Ms. D and then the audience got to see our first 4 days! Kyle did an amazing job of editing and assembling our experience, and when it closed, Ms. D announced to the entire room what was next!
The trip to Europe and then the other neat interviews and people that we met on Monday afternoon. To come is the remainder of the AUSA.
What happened next will remain with us for a very long time! The audience stood and clapped a lot, and we looked out to see many crying! And, then when they were dismissed, we were greeted and hugged by so many! (Ms. D and Scotty told us this would happen! And AUSA staff also were sure that this would be the case. They told us that we were the first to come forward, and that we did a good job.
A Backpack Journalists – off to booth duty now!
Written by Linda Dennis,
Additional commentary provided by Pedro Rampolla
