War Veterans visit local elementary school

By Owen Boss

PHILLIPSTON — The Phillipston Memorial Elementary School celebrated the homecoming of two local soldiers on Friday by throwing a surprise assembly in the school gymnasium. For Staff Sgt. Robert Cackett and Staff Sgt. Stephen Yablonski, it was a welcome home they will never forget. Sgt. Cackett, who had been communicating with the fourth-grade class by mail during his stay in Iraq, came to the school to hand deliver the remaining letters he was unable to send home. The visit to Phillipston Memorial was especially significant for Sgt. Yablonski because his son Ethan is currently enrolled as a pre-schooler. When the doors of the gymnasium opened, the soldiers were greeted with a chorus of cheers from more than 100 students whose ages ranged from pre-schoolers to fourth graders. Members of the faculty had prepared red white and blue cupcakes, which were arranged across a table to resemble the American flag. After reciting the pledge of allegiance, the students surprised the soldiers by singing them the national anthem. Following the opening, one student representing each class was allowed to ask a question of the soldiers. A first-grade student asked what language they spoke in Iraq. “The language that they speak is Arabic,” said Sgt. Cackett “It is much different from the language we speak, and its very hard to learn.” Members of the second grade class wondered what method of transportation they used to get to Iraq, and during their stay. “We took regular jetplanes into Kuwait, and then switched over to military aircraft for our deployment into Iraq, and when we were in on the ground we drove regular pick-up trucks like you see here in your home town.” said Sgt. Cackett. The third grade wanted to know what the various duties they had to perform were during their time, “I worked mainly with the transport vehicles in Iraq” said Sgt. Yablonksi, “We repaired tires and added gas to vehicles so that they would stay up and running.” “The students were very supportive,” said Sgt. Cackett “You do your duty for the military, and you look forward to coming home to things like this.” Dr. Stephen Hemman, Narragansett superintendent, was also on hand for the celebration. Dr. Hemman recognized the importance of providing students with this opportunity to meet and ask questions of local soldiers. “It was very important for the students to understand at a young age what is going on with our servicemen,” said Dr. Hemman “and that what they are doing over in Iraq is to protect our country.” Dr. Hemman added, “The students need to know that the men and women in Iraq are there for a purpose. This is very special for any student who may dream of one day joining the military.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 4/5/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 82)