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Thanks, admiration for country's guardsBy LISA BUIE
© St. Petersburg Times, On the surface, it looked like any other high school visit. National Guard members in boots and camouflage talked about their jobs as security officers at Tampa International Airport. They showed the kids the Glo-sticks guard members use instead of flashlights. But this is no ordinary audience. Some of these teens are in wheelchairs. The words come a little more slowly when many of these kids talk. Yet their patriotism burns brighter than many of their classmates' at Wesley Chapel High School. How do you keep us safe at the airport? What do you do during training? How did you feel about the terrorist attacks? Who is your best friend in the guard? These were just a few of the questions the students asked guard members who visited Thursday. "These kids really understand what's going on," said teacher Becky Johnson. Her class and a group of autistic students taught by Carmen Colding were on hand to present the guard members with a trophy of a bald eagle, a banner that said "Thank You" and a cake decorated with miniature United States flags. Guard members came armed with their own goodies, including cups filled with pencils, patches, and a Glo-stick for each student. Mrs. Johnson's class also gave guard members a stack of letters. Though some were only a few sentences, the students labored over them for a week. "I"m sorry for all the people that died in the terrorist attack, you're still in our heart," wrote Logan Pennypacker. "But people that are still alive can stand for our country and believe in us. Thank you for leaving your family and fighting for our country." This from 16-year-old Kristina Mata: "I would like to thank you for being brave to do this kind of job. You are lucky to have this kind of courage." Jason Fennell, 15, wrote about his favorite movie, Independence Day. "It is about a war between good and bad, but with UFOs. So in the movie, the president says, "We will not give up our freedom.' So thank you for standing for the U.S.A. on Sept. 11, 2001. How can I help?" Mrs. Johnson said the students were keenly aware of what was happening the day of the attacks. They had just come back from physical education class when she told them the news. They wanted to know more. "They wanted to see it," she said. Mrs. Johnson put the tragedy in perspective by bringing out a globe and showing them how far Florida was from New York and Washington. Since then, the students have been news junkies. "They'll ask, "What happened?' And they'll come in and say "Afghanistan did this,' " she said. Their interest in current events brought Capt. Vernon Dohmann and some of his guard colleagues to the class. Kris Pentecost, who lives in Lexington Oaks near Dohmann, noticed how her son, Ben, took notice of Dohmann whenever he left the house in uniform. She thought the other students in Ben's class might enjoy a visit from the guard. She got Publix to help out with the cake and A-OK Trophies in Land O'Lakes donated the eagle trophy. Guard members were equally impressed with the students, who afterward swarmed around them and asked more questions. Many snapped pictures with disposable cameras. A couple of the boys saluted. "This is the first time we've had a special education class reach out to guardsmen," said Frank Ring, a master sergeant. One of the most enthusiastic students was 18-year-old Justin Smith. After asking the majority of questions during the session, he lined up eagerly for autographs from guard members. "I'm going to put them in a picture frame," he said. -- Lisa Buie is the editor of the central/east edition of the Pasco Times. You can reach her at (813) 909-4604 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4604.
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