Reservist goes to school with a military message

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charlie Miller
  • 445th Airlift Wing
HILLIARD, Ohio --  There was a small military invasion that affected about 200 children at Alton Darby Elementary School, Hilliard, Ohio, on Nov. 12. Okay, so it was just Staff Sgt. Terry Reisinger, chaplain's assistant with the 445th Airlift Wing, giving a Veterans Day presentation to 4th and 5th graders, but it was still an invasion of sorts.

Seriously though, Master Sgt. Denise Williams, first sergeant for 445th headquarters staff, teaches there, and she invited Sergeant Reisinger to her school.

"Our district supports veterans and we were asked to have a presentation," Sergeant Williams said. The first shirt knew that Sergeant Reisinger lived in West Jefferson, Ohio, about 15 minutes from the school. Turns out he was up for an invasion, err, presentation.

"I came to Alton Darby to share my account of my life in the military and give a perspective that the students may have not encountered before," Sergeant Reisinger said.

The sergeant brought with him his full MOPP gear ensemble and MREs. Plus, Sergeant Williams had secured several DVDs from the public affairs office to show the kids the different aspects of the Air Force Reserve.

"Not everyone in the military does what these young people see in movies and on television," Sergeant Reisinger said. "What they have seen on TV and in movies, those are important jobs, but there are other important jobs that have to be done, too."

The sergeant passed around his helmet, poncho and flak vest while addressing the students. He donned his gas mask and wore it for about 10 minutes showing them how it functions, even demonstrating how to drink water with it on.

"Anytime kids can look past what is happening these days with military operations and political situations and see that we are just normal people, your neighbors, friends, the person next door, it's a very good thing," the sergeant said.

There were students from eight different classes at the presentation. Eleven-year-old Noah Fernandez liked the gas mask the best and said he didn't know you could drink water while wearing a gas mask.

5th grader John Wallace said, "This helps me learn about Veterans Day. You guys showed me a bunch about planes I'd never heard of."

"I had a parent/teacher conference later that week and heard from the parents that their children loved seeing Sergeant Reisinger in uniform," Sergeant Williams said. "They liked the MREs and the DVD of the Airman's Creed. A lot of the kids said 'thanks' to Sergeant Reisinger and me. Some did not know that I was in the military. Next year, I'm wearing my uniform. I had fellow teachers thanking me for my service, too."

"Some of the kids may see the military as a possible future for themselves or friends," Sergeant Reisinger said. "I really enjoy doing this, talking about military life, sharing some of my experiences of what I've done in the military and also what the military has done for me."

Debbie Bowers, a substitute teacher said that the kids loved the presentation. "It will help them appreciate all the work you do. I don't think they really understood before this just how complex jobs in the military are."

Invasions are complex. Presentations, generally, are not and according to the first shirt, Sergeant Reisinger hit a home run with the students.