Graduation Webcasts for Troops Downrange

Troops Downrange Will Be Able To Watch As Students Graduate

STUTTGART, Germany - U.S. troops serving downrange will once again be able to watch from afar as graduating seniors receive their high school diplomas.

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe in conjunction with U.S. Army Europe and 5th Signal Command are putting the finishing touches on this year's live webcast program, which is expected to include at least 18 graduation ceremonies.

The webcasts will be viewed by troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other deployed locations around the world, according to USAREUR. An estimated 125 deployed parents will get the chance to view the ceremonies.

Parents also will see recorded messages from students as part of the broadcast.

This is the seventh year graduation webcasts have been made available to deployed troops. Planning for the transmissions began in January.

"There is no room for error. It is too important," Diana Ohman, DODDS-Europe director, said in a news release. "It is important to the graduating senior that he or she be able to share the event with their parents, as well as for the deployed parent to be able to view their son or daughter crossing the stage."

The graduation ceremonies will take place June 4-11.

A list of participating schools and information on how to access the broadcasts will be available at the DODDS-Europe Web site  once details are finalized, according to USAREUR.