There appeared to be a strong connection between U.S. Army Spc. Gene Welch and the group of students he visited last Wednesday.
As the Buford native spoke with a first-grade class at Clinton Elementary School, they listened intently.
For them, it was good to finally see the person they had helped when he was a half a world away.
Months ago, the class collected supplies to send to Welch, who served near Baghdad from last September to January. He was part of a platoon that cleared land and buildings, making sure they were safe for other soldiers to occupy.