A gift they won’t forget

Published 9:19 pm Wednesday, November 10, 2010

SNOHOMISH — Lt. Col. Matt Cadicamo had an important message for his sons.

He shot a video for them in dusty Jalalabad, Afghanistan, and at first it seemed like he just wanted to talk about military service before Veterans Day.

Sam and Nate Cadicamo, ages 5 and 7, sat in the library at Little Cedars Elementary School on Wednesday, watching with their classmates as their father rode in a helicopter and put on night vision goggles.

At the end of the video, he asked his boys to come toward the screen. He told them how proud he was of their work at home, helping their mother, Sheryne Cadicamo, and caring for their little sister, Lucianna Cadicamo, 3. It was just as important as his work in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

His sons saluted him.

He promised to be home in time for Christmas — maybe Thanksgiving. And then he paused.

“You know what, I’ve got a better idea,” he said. “Just stay right there for a minute.”

The screen went black and he walked out of a side room, dressed in military fatigues. They squealed. He dropped to his knees and they threw their arms around him.

He had been planning the surprise for months with his wife and the school staff, a dramatic way to send a message about military service.

“It’s not all about sacrifice and hardship,” he said. “There are good days as well.”

That was just one of the memorable lessons students across Snohomish County were taught for Veterans Day — today. Schools across the region invited active duty soldiers and veterans to talk about their service.

At Stanwood Middle School, students watched alongside veterans as teachers emptied nearly 10 bags of rice onto the gymnasium floor during a school assembly.

Each grain from the 25-pound bags of rice represented six people who served during a war since the country’s founding.

Had each grain represented only one veteran, teachers would have needed 59 bags of rice, said teacher Bill Rodgers, an Army veteran. More than 43 million people have served in the U.S. military, he said.

Teacher Bryan Waters, another Army veteran, dedicated the school program to all the mothers and wives who lost a soldier in combat.

“War takes an immeasurable toll on families,” he said. “Don’t forget the sacrifices made by so many people. Never forget.”

Today, there are 25 million veterans in the country, Rodgers said. Some are homeless. Many are disabled.

“Take five minutes tomorrow to write a letter to someone serving abroad, help a veteran you know or take the time to write to your congressman to ask that our troops be brought home,” Rodgers said. “Whatever you do, salute a veteran.”

American Legion Post 92 posted the colors during the assembly. Student J. Henry Jennings read the poem “No, Freedom Isn’t Free.” Student trumpeter Paul Mourges played taps, the tune sounded at military funerals.

After the program, World War II veteran Robert Niegemann, 86, of Camano Island, marveled at the good behavior of the middle school students during the assembly.

“They really paid attention,” said Niegemann, who served as an Army corporal in China, Burma and India. “I think the program was good for these great kids.”

Then four eighth-grade girls gave him a big hug and told him how much they appreciate his service.

Niegemann smiled.

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.