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Westport first-graders welcome Sgt. Jenkins home as a hero

May-19-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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The Ceres Courier

Westport first-grader Skye Bradley couldn't have been prouder Wednesday afternoon as she escorted uncle, Army Sgt. Daniel Jenkins to her classroom with one hand wrapped around his arm and the other around an American flag.

Jenkins, 29, visited the school on a 14-day leave from his wartime duties in Iraq. The son-in-law of Westport teacher Karen Bradley and wife of former Westport student Mandy Bradley Jenkins came by to answer questions posed by students.

The sergeant, who joined the Army 10 years ago, guides the computer system in an armoured personnel carrier. He told students that he has lost a number of friends in Iraq.

Last November Jenkins was in the Army mess hall in Mozul which had been attacked by a suicide bomber. He was among the fortunate ones and escaped injury or death.

Jenkins lived in Ceres up to the age of two before his parents relocated to Lewistown, Idaho where he was raised. The irony is that the Idahon later met Mandy, another Ceres resident, through a mutual friend.

The visit was bitter-sweet for Mandy, who faced the reality of his impending departure. Daniel is returning to Iraq, likely for another six months.

"It's tough," she said. "But we stay in touch by phone or online when he's gone."

Mandy is using her time away from her husband in studying to become a teacher at Cal State Stanislaus.

Students asked about writing Jenkins and his wife supplied them the address. Readers may write Jenkins or any other soldier at the following address: Any Soldier, B.Col-24IN, SBCT RGT, APO AE 09345. - By JEFF BENZIGER / Managing editor of the Ceres (Calif.) Courier


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