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Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Captain visits Sweetwater kindergarten
By PETE BOHACZYK | News-Journal Correspondent
DAYTONA BEACH — Army Capt. Brad Montgomery has been corresponding with the Sweetwater Elementary School kindergarten classes of Kim Frey, Mary Salaycik and Christine Marinaccio.
The area-born and reared soldier, formerly stationed in Iraq and Kuwait, visited the children April 14.
His temporary duty that day was to answer the many questions thrown at him by interested children.
The soldier has a personal attraction to Sweetwater. His cousin’s son, kindergartner Torin Kies, is a member of Frey’s class. It all began because of this relationship.
Because of the soldier’s cousin, packages and cards were sent to him — too many for one person — so others in Montgomery’s company benefited.
“We received many articles, such as letters and cards and things from home and they were hung up in our area,” he said. “Such cards sent by kids who care are hung up in the many different areas that I have seen."
The captain did not have a prepared talk to give the children. He simply opened the floor to questions.
The questions revealed the awareness about the war as seen through the eyes of 5- and 6-year-olds.
Do you ride a tank? Do you live in the desert? How old must you be to be in the Army? What is the desert like? Why do you wear boots?
Do you play games in the Army? Do they have water in the desert? Why is there green on your clothes? How many guns do you have?
“I think it is really great that the soldier has come to visit us,” Frey said. “We can gather a little firsthand knowledge of what is going on.
“It will help the children to feel proud of their country and what these men are doing for them.”
His parents, Carol and Bruce Montgomery, along with his wife, Candace, were part of the captain’s entourage.
“I’m just as proud of Brad as I can be,” Carol said. “His father and I are happy to have him home again for a while. Him having to go back is the down side.”
Candace said, “Having a husband in the Army and overseas is very hard. I feel lonely but I also feel very proud of what he and so many are doing."
Candace and Brad live in Orange County in California and his home base is the Army Reserve Center in Irvine. Soon he will be transferred to Jacksonville and closer to home.