Students present letters to Army hero
Most children dream of meeting superheroes in real life, but Roark Elementary School students鈥 dreams came听to life when they met听Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg听Monday morning.听
Groberg was awarded the Medal of Honor by former President Barack Obama in 2015 for听tackling a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. He is a retired United States Army officer, employee of the Department of Defense, and author of “8 Seconds of Courage: A Soldier鈥檚 Story from Immigrant to the Medal of Honor.”听
鈥淚 took school as an opportunity to become something bigger than I ever dreamed of,鈥 said Groberg. He credits the听education system as having a major听impact听on his character development and work ethic. Groberg made it a point to show his gratitude for educators by stating, 鈥淭hey call us heroes, but the real ones are teachers.鈥听
The school hosted Groberg in partnership with General Motors听and the Medal of Honor Museum听as a part of their听, which allows students to send letters of appreciation to military personnel. In preparation for Groberg鈥檚 visit, the students began researching the significance of the Medal of Honor听and presented him with letters.听The guest of honor humbly expressed, 鈥淭hese little moments let us know someone is thinking about us while we鈥檙e away at war, and they save lives鈥students] writing these letters means the world to me.鈥 He also revealed the letters he received in Afghanistan gave him the chance to feel like he was at home despite being thousands of miles away and lacking听basic essentials听such as socks and gloves.听
Florent is a native of France听and did not begin speaking听English听until age 12.听听He later听became a citizen of the U.S.听in 2001听and entered听the Army in 2008 after graduating from the University of Maryland. 鈥淚 wanted to be a part of the difference, so I decided to join the Army,鈥 Groberg stated.听听
鈥淭his experience has been a huge honor听and pleasure听for staff and students at Roark,鈥 Roark interim principal Ebony Key said. 鈥It was amazing to meet a real hero and have him encourage and听motivate the students to continue on a path to success.鈥听
色窝窝无码一区二区三区 superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos was also happy to attend the event.听
鈥淥ur students are provided with unique opportunities every day, but sometimes they can forget about the significance,鈥 Cavazos said. 鈥淣one of our students are going to forget about this day. It was very humbling to be included.听It was a memorable day for everyone.鈥听
Representatives from General Motors were also present to honor Groberg and听briefly spoke听on their partnership with the Medal of Honor Museum, which is slated to open听its Arlington location听in 2024.听听
Groberg听has dedicated his life to courage, sacrifice听and integrity.听听In his final words to the students听he听encouraged, 鈥淒ream big, and always do for others before you do for yourself.鈥澨听
His life is a great reminder not听all superheroes wear capes.听听