Generals visit Kyrgyz school

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) --  Senior Air Force Materiel Command leaders handed out clothing, coats, gloves and hats to elementary school children Feb. 9, at the Grozd School in Grozd Village, Kyrgyzstan.

Presenting the gifts to the children were Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, the AFMC commander and leaders throughout the command. Also in attendance were Maj. Gen. Polly A. Peyer, the commander of Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Maj. Gen. David P. Gillett Jr., the commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Maj. Gen. Kathleen D. Close, the director of Logistics and Sustainment for AFMC, Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn, the commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center and Maj. Gen. Andrew E. Busch, the commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center.

With more than 500 students aged 6 to 18 enrolled, the Grozd School is like many in Kyrgyzstan. The school is unheated, so children wear their coats and hats in the classroom. The temperature often dips into the negative temperatures here.

"I am thankful for your visit to this school," said Syrgak Kyolykeer, the head and mayor of the Grozd Village Administration. "We have been friends for many years with the people from America. On behalf of the all the villagers, I would like to express my gratitude."

"We couldn't bring the whole school out, just some," the Mayor said. "Administrators and teachers identified the most needy children. We will bring more out if we have the opportunity to do so again!"

The Transit Center at Manas staff also spent thousands of dollars on new furniture for the school, which is one of the beneficiaries of U.S. Air Forces Central command support. AFCENT funding and donations from the Manas area benefits outreach society provide servicemembers stationed here with the opportunity to build relationships with the local people through service and humanitarian assistance.

"Thank you for helping us during such a hard time," said one mother through her tears. She continued by wishing U.S. Airmen prosperity, peace, and stability in the whole world.