West Seattle military family reunited across the miles at OLG

That’s Our Lady of Guadalupe first-grader Seville Stoll – seeing her dad 6,000 miles away via Skype just before his long-distance participation in the school’s Veterans Day assembly today. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Stoll serves with the Army Corps of Engineers and is currently in Iraq. His wife Jen and OLG fourth-grader son Solden also were there for the long-distance reunion, as part of the family’s presentation during the assembly:

Students gathered for the assembly and prayer service heard Lt. Col. Stoll talk about why he serves and what it means to him; the online connection even enabled him to show them a slide presentation. Jen Stoll told the students about what it’s like to be a military family with a parent overseas. During the assembly and prayer service the middle-school choir sang the national anthem:

They also sang “Happy Birthday” to Seville, who turned 7 today. Also there, Lt. Col. Stoll’s parents Leonard and Sheila Stoll – both retired military, Air Force and Army respectively – shown with their grandson, holding photos of his dad:

OLG tells us the fourth graders led today’s gathering as part of the school’s stewardship tradition; they are working with the Veterans Administration and other organizations to support active-duty service personnel as well as veterans.

10 Replies to "West Seattle military family reunited across the miles at OLG"

  • Mike November 9, 2013 (5:49 am)

    This is great. Thank you Stoll family for sharing your father/husband/son’s dedication to serve in the military. It’s great to see his kids smile. What a great way for a school to help kids learn what Veterans day is all about.

  • NativetoSeattle November 9, 2013 (6:14 am)

    Way to go, OLG!

  • 4thGr.parent November 9, 2013 (8:13 am)

    Friday’s event was powerful. I appreciate Kev, Jen, Solden and Seville sharing their story to the OLG community. I asked my son what he thought of the HW given by Solden’s dad, he told me that he is thinking about it and starting to plan…It makes me happy that an idea is percolating (Kevin asked the students to think what service means to them and how can they can better serve) I hope others were just as inspired:)

  • HKW November 9, 2013 (8:44 am)

    My boyfriend is in the army and it was something special to surprise his older son at school last year when he came home from Afghanistan. I know how hard it is to deal with a loved one overseas, but today’s technology makes it easier. I love that this dad was able to talk to the school about his experiences.

  • sam-c November 9, 2013 (9:33 am)

    +1 Mike- that’s what I was thinking. thanks WSB for sharing the story.

  • Barb Korducki November 9, 2013 (9:57 am)

    It is wonderful to see the community of faith and support that the students share with West Seattle and the world.

  • Kadoo November 9, 2013 (11:39 am)

    Got pretty misty-eyed at yesterday’s assembly. Very powerful. Terrific way to honor the day.

  • Sonoma November 9, 2013 (2:22 pm)

    I think little Seville’s face says it all.

  • Chad Hiner November 9, 2013 (3:03 pm)

    Way to go Kevin and Jen! You make your fellow SU ARMY ROTC Grads very proud!! Come home safe! Godspeed!

  • Chrisd November 10, 2013 (7:52 am)

    The Stoll’s are an inspiring family, always serving and thinking of others on so many levels. This assembly has such a positive impact on the kids and how they can serve a community in whatever way works for them and their specific strengths. We need more of this in today’s society.

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