Soldier Reenlists in Daughter’s Classroom

Killeen School District via Defend America ^ | October 28, 2004 | Todd Martin

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

U.S. Army Spc. Sammy M. Saenz chose to reenlist in his daughter's fourth-grade classroom. His wife Linda (left) and 9-year-old daughter Adriana look on during the Oct. 21, 2004 ceremony, held at Sugar Loaf Elementary School in Killeen, Texas. Photo courtesy Todd Martin, Killeen Independent School District.

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Soldier Reenlists in Daughter’s Classroom

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Iraqi Freedom veteran's reenlistment ceremony impresses daughter's fourth-grade classmates. U

By Todd Martin Killeen Independent School District FORT HOOD, Texas, Oct. 28, 2004 — In the middle of class, Oct. 21, a dozen soldiers in uniform filed into a classroom at Sugar Loaf Elementary School. Two in particular stood out. One soldier carried a United States flag. The other soldier carried two leather-bound certificates. Something official was about to happen. U “It’s nice to let the kids see this tradition we do,” Spc. Sammy M. Saenz. U Spc. Sammy M. Saenz of the 4th Corps Material Management Control, 13th Corps Support Command, reenlisted in the U.S. Army. He chose his daughter Adriana’s fourth-grade classroom for the ceremony. The students were so impressed by the ceremony that a few of them held up their hands as Saenz raised his right hand to repeat his oath. Saenz’s wife Linda and their 9-year-old daughter stood by proud and supportive. “It was for my daughter,” the soldier explained following the ceremony. “She was with me when I reenlisted before and we didn’t want to take her out of school this time. We asked and everyone here was really nice about it.” Principal Karl Bradley and secretary Paula Hayward tagged along with the group. Bradley and teacher Deborah Barber took their own photos.

At least a couple of other classes of students stood outside Barber’s classroom with their teachers to catch a peak of the ceremony. Staff Sgt. Roland Woleben, the unit’s reenlistment officer, said he tries to accommodate soldiers’ wishes regarding where they want their ceremony. He conducted ceremonies on the top of buildings, on tanks and in helicopters, he said. “It’s nice to let the kids see this tradition we do,” Saenz said. “A lot of what they see and hear is about war. This is something positive.” Saenz’s wife Linda indicated she would have attended the ceremony in any venue. “We did this for our daughter,” she said. “She really looks up to her dad. She has been there for the other reenlistments and for his promotions.” Saenz has served in the Army seven years, including a tour in Iraq in 2003. The teacher may have been as excited as anyone. “We’ve never done this before at Sugar Loaf,” she said. “I enjoyed it. I think it lifts morale to see the soldiers here. Some of them were raising their hands during the oath. I was very honored for him to come to my class. I felt like I was part of his family.” “It was great,” said a beaming Adriana of seeing her father reenlist in her classroom. “I always like to see my dad get reenlisted. My friends were thanking me for having him do it here.”

[blackie]

Powerful stuff ~ I love it!

[Pukin Dog]

This is as good as it gets. I hope it becomes a tradition.

[Gefreiter]

True, true...

But as a public school, forces in Austin might have had an opinion about this activity.

Too late now though- hah!

[reed13]

I think this is outstanding. One of the greatest things I was able to do as a Naval 'zero' was reenlist my sailors. We always let them pick where it would be - a lot of foc'sle, gunmounts, etc. Had one technician that we strapped up and climbed the mast for. But by far the best was a Boatswain's mate 1st class Petty Officer who convinced the CO to allow us to do the reenlist in a boatswain's chair during an underway replenishment. For those of you who don't know during an 'unrep' we send hi-lines across between ships and then take a tension in order to refuel and send cargo from one ship to the other. Ships are usually about 100-140 ft apart. The chair is used to send people across, but these days that is more likely to happen via a helo. I was facing forward on this day and my PO was facing aft - I think so I would take the sea spray. The team got us out half way and then I told him to raise his hand. By that time he was ready to get across and said so. I replied - I think to my credit, "Not till you finish this damn oath, now repeat after me!" Hell of a memory - that would have been in '94 I think. If I can find a pic I'll see if I can get it posted.

[Fam4Bush]

God Bless and Protect Sammy M. Saenz.

[Gothmog]

Just you wait until the ACLU hears about this 'outrage!' Ha ha ha.

Great story, no wonder it happened in House Majority Leader DeLay's sugarloaf district. Them folks knows right.

[Woogit]

Tears in my eyes! We are so blessed to have so many good, decent, honorable people as citizens in this country. In the heat of this election, that is too easy to forget since the idiots usually make the headlines. May God greatly BLESS all of our troops and their families and May God Bless America with another 4 years of GWB!

[Tex Pete]

I'm proud to live ten miles away(just across Fort Hood)from where this took place.

God Bless Spec. Saenz and all our troops!

[TXBubba]

Thankfully Killeen isn't in Travis county. AISD doesn't have much input there.

[TChris]

Bravo! May God bless him and may his service bless him and his family.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

What's with the weeping?

[OldSgt.]

Killeen TX, Military friendly, outside the gate of I think Ft. Hood?

Big BUMP, Way to go Doggy!!!!!!

[LadyPilgrim]

Just reading sweet posts and articles.

I suppose I am just so thankful. I'm also on the prayer roster, and have been praying for our Nation and President. I get a little weepy, when praying. I am so thankful for the love there is on this forum!

There are a lot of folks that don't care...............and then there are those that make me want to reach out and hug them!

My heart is tender for those that serve our Country and I am grateful for them.

I love our President and I love our Military!
I love America and pray God delivers us from those that hate being Americans.

I am thankful for friends and loved ones.

We are such a blessed Country and God could have born me in Iraq or Bangledesh. But He didn't. He let me be an American, for that, I am most grateful!

And I love you for asking! Thank-you!
That is very caring, of you!

That's why I'm weepy today. Just loving my life and loving those that care for me!!!

[jddrive]

I've been lurking here for some time. You folks are amazing! I also live in Killeen and I just love how this community comes together for our soldiers. This is a wonderful story. Thanks for posting!

[Even Keel]

correct OldSgt


Boy what a cool thing to do.

My last enlistment was my last (indefinite till I retire) I only wish I had thought of something this cool. Although I have no children (yet my wife is pregnant with our first) my nephew would have loved something like this.

[OldSgt.]

"Boy what a cool thing to do."

Ya, those kids, even ones not connected to the Army will remember this as a Big positive. sKerry would outlaw such things. NEA can eat $__t if they don't like it!!!!!

[SwatTeam]

Tom DeLay's district is Sugarland, Texas. I don't believe it encompasses Killeen but I could be wrong. Anyway, this is a great article and Texas is pro military just about all over.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for your very kind reply.

[geedee]

[Don Simmons]

This is very cool! If I could re-up again, I would do this same thing at my daughter's school. However, my last re-up was in 1999 and it was under the relatively new INDEFINITE program where your end date is the cap you have on your rank at the time (24 years of service, 2011 for me as an E-7).

Congratulations to this young man and his family!!!