Early last month at Iraq's Al Asad Air Base, members of the 2nd Battalion posed with a cardboard sign reading, "Thank you to G C MIDDLE SCHOOL, WPONS CO 2/25, IRAQ." The 2nd Battalion/ 25th Marines visited Garden City's Middle and High Schools last month to share their experiences during two recent tours of duty in Iraq, as well as to thank the students for sending the many letters and sundries while in service at Al Asad Air Base. Master Sergeant DuPont, whose daughter attends the middle school, and 18 marines spent discussion time with 400 sixth graders late last month before presenting Principal Dr. Peter Osroff with two special certificates from the Marines.

Assistant Principal at the middle school, Ms. Susan Lee, commented, "Our students wrote dozens of letters to the soldiers in Iraq. They were committed to making their lives better." The middle school students raised the needed monies for shipping the letters and donated items to Iraq by holding a bake sale earlier in the year.

At the high school, members of the 2nd Battalion/ 25th Marines under Master Sergeant DuPont visited Ms. Victoria Chimento and Mr. Scott McAuley's history classes as guest speakers. The high school teachers and their classes, "thoroughly enjoyed listening to the experiences these brave men underwent in Iraq," stated Ms. Chimento. "It was both a learning experience and an opportunity for me to spread awareness about the Wounded Warrior Project to help returning service men and women after war."

Sixth graders attentively listened to the Marines' stories during their visit. Here Marine Cash answers questions from a group of boys about his experiences in Iraq. Garden City Public Schools thanks 2nd Battalion/ 25th Marines and Master Sergeant DuPont for their service to our country in Iraq and for taking the time to share their experiences with our students.

2nd Battalion/ 25th Marines Master Sargeant DuPont answered questions posed by middle schoolers during his visit on May 21st. Marine Arnaudmateo and the visiting members of the 2nd Ballatalion were thanked for their visit and service in Iraq with a round of applause from the middle school students. Pictured here are (front, left to right): Principal Osroff with Master Sargeant DuPont and his daughter with assistant principals William Marr and Susan Lee and visiting members of the 2nd Battalion/25th Marines. Students from Mr. Scott McAuely's Advanced Placement U.S. History Class joined together for a photo with the 2nd Battalion/ 25th Marines and Master Sergeant DuPont.