Kindergartener Cecilia Trubiano wanted to share a few words Wednesday with a couple of uniformed soldiers before they departed from a patriotic program at Vilonia Primary School. What she ended up with was hugs and words of encouragement.
“Do you know my mommy or daddy?,” she asked Master Sgt. Joel Sparta and Airman 1st Class Ben Williamson of the U.S. Air Force stationed in Jacksonville. Cecilia preceded to tell them that her mother is a colonel serving in Iraq and her father flies helicopters in the U.S. Army.
“No, I don’t believe I know them,” Sparta answered. “We are all on the same team though.”
The child proceeded to hug the soldiers, and they returned the gesture before she made her way to class. As well, Sparta encouraged her to “Stay strong. Draw pictures and write letters.”
“Things like this are emotional for me,” Sparta said, adding that he has four children and during his 14 years in the military, he has traveled to 30 countries.
The two servicemen had presented a portion of the program on patriotic duty at the school. They concluded by telling the children how they could be patriotic without wearing a uniform.
Cecilia wasn’t the only one who made a way to talk with the soldiers. Cecilia’s brother, Luke, and Kaitlyn Hartwick also made inquiries concerning their parents.
Inquiring about acquaintances is a common thing, Williamson said.
“Especially in a community where there’s a lot of us living,” he said.
Both he and Williamson addressed the student body in conjunction with the Joe Foss Institute’s Veteran’s Inspiring Patriotism Program designed to inspire patriotism, public service, integrity and an appreciation for America’s freedoms. Foss, the namesake of the program, is a decorated war hero as well as had many other accomplishments.
In conclusion, Sparta told students that being a good citizen doesn’t require wearing a military uniform, and he talked briefly about other forms of public service.
Children’s hands went up and down during a brief question and answer session. One youngster asked Sparta what influenced him to join the military. He said he has other family members who have served and wanted to do the same.
“It was a very scary thing to do,” he said. “But, it was the best decision of my life.”
