Batavia school welcomes soldier - and teacher - home

Batavia school students got to meet a soldier, just back from Iraq, Wednesday morning.

What made the introduction extra special is that, starting soon, he'll be teaching them.

Neal Fuchs, a sergeant in the Army Reserves, was welcomed back to Louise White Elementary School at an assembly. He returned to the United States Oct. 23, and will resume his job shortly.

Fuchs was deployed to Iraq last Halloween.

"We were having an awesome year ... we were bummed," said Troy Malay, one of his former fourth-grade students, addressing the crowd. He exhorted the children, "Please help me in welcoming back an awesome teacher, a great role model and our hero, Mr. Fuchs!"

Principal Sherry White explained Fuchs' service and what it means to students: "We have the freedom to speak and say what is important to us ... but we have to take care of our freedoms. Our armed forces help us to take care of our freedoms, and help the people in Iraq have some of the freedoms we have."

Several teachers were teary-eyed and hugged Fuchs, 26.

The third-graders he'll be teaching this year presented him with letters introducing themselves, and other grades presented letters, a book, a paper flag and posters. Three classes sang patriotic songs. Many of the staff and students dressed in red, white or blue shirts.

Fuchs answered questions students had submitted in writing. They wanted to know where he slept in Iraq (mostly in a bed, he said), what he ate (sandwiches, salads, lobster and ice cream because he was stationed at a base); and whether he would have to return to Iraq (it is possible, because his enlistment doesn't end until 2011.)

The sunburned soldier told the kids about the heat, about the bugs that bite, and that he got sand in his ears. Fuchs served with the 327th Military Police battalion, overseeing the construction of a detention facility. His team searched workers and their vehicles.

When asked if he was afraid, he said he'd be lying if he answered no, "especially when things go bang in the night and you wonder, 'Is that incoming or outgoing?' "

And why did he do it?

"I got to help others out. ... But I would rather be here with you."