Home » Archives » "Home from the front"

Home from the front

Apr- 2-2004 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Another story of a SBCT soldier home on leave.

[Link to Full Article]
Vincent T. Davis
San Antonio Express-News

For four months they've lifted his spirits by sending mail and cards.

When he was weary after long missions down dusty roads, they encouraged him to smile. And whenever his instant messenger profile popped onto the computer screen, they yelled, "Your son's on," to their teacher.

Thursday Spc. Michael P. Gatter returned the good will by teaching Iraqi customs and culture to his mother's sixth-grade history classes at Kitty Hawk Middle School.

Gatter, at the halfway point in a deployment to Mosul, Iraq, is home on a 15-day furlough. The 22-year-old is assigned to the Stryker Brigade Combat Team with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division from Ft. Lewis, Wash.

"We saw you on the computer," they said in unison, as they walked into the room and wriggled into their seats.

Betty Gatter, 58, said the only advantage to having a son in Iraq is that he can bring back items she can use in her lessons on Iraq.

Their cyber-conversations are possible because of a Web camera his older brother, Art Gatter, 26, sent to him.

"It's kind of geared to the Internet," Gatter said of communication in Iraq. "It's easier with instant messaging. It boosts our morale."


Advertisements