Plainview second- and third-graders learned the coolest word in the Army Wednesday — hooah.
“It means what you want it to mean — good morning, I understand sergeant, I’m motivated,” Army Staff Sgt. Oscar Interiano said.
Interiano spoke to the two grades in the auditorium Wednesday afternoon in honor of Veterans Day.
“I want them to gain an awareness of veterans and their sacrifice, a better understanding of what veterans do,” he said.
An Ardmore native, Interiano enlisted in April 1998 and has served at Fort Benning, Fort Irwin and Fort Sill. His two sons, second-grader Oscar and third-grader Raphael, attend Plainview and were excited to have their dad speak at school.
“The coolest thing is that he is in the Army. I’m proud of him that he loves the Army,” young Oscar said, adding that he wants to be an Army doctor.
Oscar’s teacher, Rosa Knight, asked Interiano to speak to the students.
“By having a speaker who is directly involved with the armed forces, I wanted the children to get a better understanding of what it’s like to be in the military,” Knight said.
Knight’s husband is a retired Marine Corps and a Desert Storm veteran.
“I have a special place in my heart for all veterans,” Knight said.
Before speaking to the crowd in the auditorium, Interiano spoke to each of his son’s classes.
“I just wanted the kids to relate to someone who’s personally involved. They think about the ones who have died, but there are also those serving right now,” said third-grade teacher Jackie Matherly who teaches Raphael’s class.
Interiano showed the students some of his equipment and allowed the children to try on some of the protective gear.
“I liked when he let us put on the gear he used,” third-grader Ty Davenport said.
The children were impressed by all the protective gear the Army requires.
“I liked that they had different armor. It was neat that he had different stuff,” third-grader Jessica Sweet said. “I would like to think that if I were in the Army, it would protect me.”
“I learned what Veterans Day was about and what they had on their vests. They had bulletproof vests and helmets,” Davenport said.
The presentation helped the students appreciate the work of veterans.
“I thank them for doing it all,” Davenport said.
Jennifer Lindsey, 221-6536
