Sam Campbell

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 20, 2019) – Take a world tour without having to leave Missouri at the 19th annual “Know Your World” event, where more than 70 international military officers representing 38 countries will showcase displays from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Nutter Field House.

The evening is designed to bring awareness to Fort Leonard Wood’s diverse military presence and the personnel from around the world that come to train on the installation, bringing with them different cultures that some have never experienced.

Know Your World is a great way to increase cultural understanding and build international friendships, said Kay Lowder with International Military Student Office Field Studies Program.

“This event provides a unique opportunity for the community to learn about countries all over the world, to interact with people from places they may have been or may never have had the opportunity to visit, as well as become acquainted with the international officers residing in the area,” she said.

It is free and open to the public.

“Guests can arrive at any time during the event, visiting different countries’ tables as they choose,” she said.

According to event planners, attendees can learn about languages and customs, try a new dance routine and sample international cuisines.

Lowder warned that food is usually gone early, so late arrivals may not have the opportunity to sample everything.

International students will be available to talk and exchange ideas on American culture and their own at the Friendship Ambassador Table.

Anyone interested in testing their knowledge of the world can pick up a “passport” to participate in an international trivia scavenger hunt.

Media wishing to attend this event should contact the Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office at 573.563.4145 by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22.

Capt. Alice Anoi, right, and Maj. Carlin Tawiah-Martins, center, both from the Republic of Ghana, showcase their display for Lt. Col. Matthew Prohm and his son, Frederick, 8, during the Know Your World event Friday at Nutter Field House. (U.S. Army photo by Heather Kline.)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 82,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps and Air Force detachments on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission