Fifth-grade students got a special visit from a former Spring Hill Elementary Sun, all the way from Afghanistan.

Sgt. Keith Hall connected with the students via Skype for a 30-minute video chat just before Veterans Day. Spring Hill teacher Sandy Choisnet, who also happens to be Hall’s mother-in-law, arranged for the visit to celebrate American servicemen and women, and to enforce the importance of education as a lifelong pursuit.

Hall answered questions submitted by the students, as well as talked about his experiences in Afghanistan, and what school life is like for fifth-graders there. Hall was among the first students to attend Spring Hill Elementary when it first opened its doors in 1996.

“The students were riveted to the screen as he talked. A special bond formed between them and their ‘older brother’ serving abroad,” says Choisnet.

Hall is serving in his third deployment.