Salute-ations: American soldiers visit Bryan elementary school

Four Johnson Elementary girls on Thursday excitedly explained the definition of "onomatopoeia" to Specialist Nicholas Hedgecock with the 1-158th Aviation Regiment.

The Bryan students were eager to showcase their classroom knowledge and continued with definitions -- and examples -- of alliterations, metaphors, similes, and personal narratives to the soldier, who sat attentively in their circle.

Audrea Hammond, 9, said it was awesome to sit next to a hero.

"I never got to be so close to a soldier and be able to tell them about my life. This is actually the first time I've gotten to see a group of soldiers and be able to talk to them without being nervous and shy," Hammond said. "I think now I'm going to try and score a 4 [on my paper] because a 4 is the highest thing you can do. Since he came in, I kind of got more motivation in me and I know I can do it."

Sixteen members of the Conroe regiment took time out of their day to come to the campus in uniform and help about 70 fourth-graders with their class writing assignments.

Amy Thomman, a fourth-grade teacher and wife of Ross Thomman, a member of the regiment, said last year the soldiers flew in an Apache helicopter to motivate the children to do well on the state-mandated test. With the new State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness exams, which are replacing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills program in March, Thomman wanted to continue the tradition of inspiring the students.

The students reviewed their personal narratives about a time they felt part of a team and then began the brainstorming process for a paper on what qualities in a presidential candidate attract voters. Thomman said she thought both topics were fitting for the soldiers.

"The guys are just really going to give feedback, like what's an area you can spice up, what can you take out to make it more interesting," she said.

Thomman said having the soldiers take a moment to spend with the children will be inspirational for the students.

"All these kids come from different backgrounds and these soldiers can serve as a father figure and a role model," she said.

Lt. Col. Mike Odom sat on the floor with three student, who occasionally broke from the writing assignment to ask about his military career. Odom said he thought the event was great and allowed the soldiers to have a break from the hard work they do daily.

"It gives them a chance to give back to the community a little bit," he said. "They were kind of nervous. They're not used to it. Some of them have kids, but it's different walking into a school and trying to teach and talk and answer questions."