Strong students put on holiday concert for soldiers in Afghanistan

Students, teachers, members of the community and more than a dozen Army National Guard soldiers in Afghanistan turned out for the special concert. (All photos by Steve Mitman)

STRONG – Holiday concerts are a mainstay of school music programs. Family is in town, offering an opportunity to showcase students’ talent to a larger audience.

But what about when the family is serving overseas, in Afghanistan no less?

Thanks to the program Skype, some dedicated organizers and, of course, the students, Strong Elementary School hosted a holiday concert for more than a dozen soldiers in Afghanistan. Watching with about a dozen Army National Guard solders were SSG Toby Pond and SSG Travis Pond, both of New Sharon. The Ponds are sons of Wendy Pond a Strong school nurse. Students used a large projection screen and the Skype video-conferencing technology to put on a seven-song concert for the soldiers, who in turn answered questions the students had written them.

Students at Strong Elementary School perform a holiday concert.

“It is surreal to be able to joke with them like they are just down the street,” Nicole Murphy Lesperance, a teacher, said, “but heart wrenching to know they are on the other side of the world in a very dangerous place.”

The event was put together by Principal Felecia Pease, who is also the local music director.

Principal Felecia Pease directs, while the Pond brothers and other soldiers look on.

“We went caroling last year,” she said at the event, “but this seemed like the right thing to do this year.”

The system and link-up was arranged and maintained by MSAD 58 Technology Director Angel Allen.

There were several heartwarming moments. Holly Pond, Toby Pond’s wife, was in attendance with their sons; Asher, age 4, and Carson, who is 2 months old. As the soldiers were answering questions, Asher would occasionally move in front of the camera and wave to his father, who waved back.

School nurse Wendy Pond with Asher Pond.

The soldiers watched from a small room decorated with a single string of Christmas lights. When not answering questions, they were silent with big smiles on their faces. They applauded after each number.

“I thought it was heart-wrenching, watching the family being apart for Christmas,” Yogi Smith, a teacher, said. “There were a lot of wet eyes in that room.”

A number of the Pond boy’s family members were in attendance at the concert including Sharon Huff (the Pond soldiers great Aunt) Holly & Carson, Judy Allen (grandmother), Cindy Thomas (aunt), and more.

“It is so amazing how they can be so so far away,” Wendy Pond said, “and still be right in the same room with you.”

Student Anna Chabot, in pink, sings along with some of her fellow students.