Email   Print   Share By Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

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Students from House Creek Elementary get lesson on the differences about donkeys and horses from a member of the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment. Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

House Creek Elementary students and staff watch the Military Working Dog demonstration from the 178th MP Det. Students also had the opportunity to see a demonstration by the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment. Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

Sgt. Lori Singer-Henderson, 178th MP Det., 89th MP Bde., describes the workings of a military police patrol car to third graders from House Creek Elementary School. Sgt. Jeremy Odom, 89th MP Bde. Public Affairs

Approximately 350 students from House Creek Elementary in Copperas Cove visited Fort Hood recently as part of a field trip organized and hosted by the 89th Military Police Brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 178th Military Police Detachment.

The student’s first stop was at the 1st Cavalry Division horse stables, where they were given not only a full tour of the facility, but were also able to observe a demonstration performed by Soldiers from the division’s Horse Cavalry Detachment.

Afterward, the students reboarded buses and were led to the Bronco Youth Center where Soldiers from the brigade were waiting with six exhibits from both the police side and military side of the brigade. Some of the exhibits included a police patrol car, K-9 training, community policing and several military vehicles.

Once they arrived, the students were broken up into groups and rotated through each station where Soldiers explained what was at their respective station, answered questions, and made time for photos. At the completion of the rotation, the students and staff gathered for a demonstration from the military working dog handlers.

This field trip served more than just a fun experience for the kids and teachers. It was also a great learning experience for many of the students who had not been previously exposed to some of the demonstrations.

“I think this has been great, not only are the kids having a fun time but they are learning a lot,” Katie Boatright, a 4th-grade teacher at House Creek Elementary, said. “Some of these kids have never been exposed to horses and stables before, so this has been a wonderful opportunity.”

The union between House Creek Elementary and the 178th MP Det. and HHC began before the school year when the commanders of each unit volunteered to serve as sponsors for the new elementary school. Though neither commander had any previous experience in school sponsorship, they took on the endeavor and worked in conjunction with the school to teach positive characteristics and traits to the students.

“When the opportunity came around for us to adopt an elementary, we took it,” said Capt. Robert Tarr, commander of the 178th MP Det. “Captain Drew and I took on that challenge and hit the ground running and for a first-year program, it has been a success.”

Throughout the school year, some of the Soldiers visited the school to volunteer their time for various different events such as reading with the students, instructing gym classes, a bike rodeo, a D.A.R.E. assembly and a military working dog demonstration.

The commanders knew from the beginning of the school year they wanted to end the year by rewarding the students with this field trip after their weeklong state testing.

“We wanted an event that the students could just show up and enjoy it and they wouldn’t have to take on any planning and resourcing,” said Capt. John Drew, HHC commander. “The goal was to make it as stress-free for not just the kids, but the teachers, too. I think we accomplished that.”