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.”

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Darn.. I can't figure out WHY this screen went all blurry on me all of a sudden!

(I'm so darn proud of our troops and especially Army Spc. Sammy M. Saenz, his wife Linda and daughter Adrianna!)

God Bless them and we thank them all for their service to our country.

Are we blessed or what!

Someone send this to Linda Vester at Fox News. She'd love this!!!!

[doug from upland]

MY DAD

MIDI can be found here --- http://www.garyrog.50megs.com/midi2.html

Maybe he'll never be famous or rich, but he is a star to me
He goes overseas and he fights for what's right
So that others may be free

My dad...he is a great man
When he tucks me into my bed...he always has said
I'll be safe

My dad...he is a great man
When he says he must go away...he'll smile and he'll say
He'll be back

He volunteered and he took an oath...he knows it's dangerous
Without brave men who will do what he does...who would be protecting us?

My dad...he is a great man
He's doing what most will not do...for me and for you
That's my dad...I really love my dad

[lstanle]

"The NEA is gonna be outraged."

They will probably claim that there should be separation of the military and the classroom. I'm sure they can find that in the constitution somewhere.

[SandRat]

That deserves a replay

The NEA is gonna be outraged!

Hehehehehe!!!

[surfatsixty]

That is wonderful. I have photos, pix, maps of Parris Island and my son in my classroom and I gladly put up with the smirks of the libs for those days when a visitor says, "Oh, my (brother, sister, daughter, son, cousin, father, mother) is in the service." The bond is indescribable.

God go with the Saenz family always.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!