By Sallie Bachar
Catholic Herald correspondent
Merrill teacher prepared to serve country
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St. Francis Xavier social studies teacher Polly LaMontagne is also a member of the National Guard. Her orders to go to the Middle East have been cancelled, but she remains ready for a call to active duty at any time. (Photo by Sally Bacher) |
MERRILL -- The last several weeks have been like a roller coaster ride for Polly LaMontagne, sixth grade and middle school social studies teacher at St. Francis Xavier School. LaMontagne is a reservist in the National Guard and was called to active duty about four weeks ago.
Initially, her orders were to spend the next four months in Saudi Arabia, where the United States has had a military presence since Desert Storm in the 1990s. The National Guard rotates with other squadrons to serve in that part of the world and her squadron was to filter into the active duty one already there, helping wherever and however needed.
As a supply person, LaMontagne would provide for the needs of military personnel. "That could be anything from tents to pens and pencils," she remarked.
Just as she made provisions to temporarily leave her teaching position and provide for her children's care in her absence, she received a call postponing her departure. A week later, the call came again to leave. In all, departure times and bases were changed a total of five times in as many weeks. "The military is like that," commented LaMontagne. "It is difficult to move the number of personnel needed for any one mission and needs change rather quickly," she said.
LaMontagne first began her military service with the Air Force in 1984 and after four years of active duty entered the National Guard, with home base in Madison. She must spend one weekend every month at the Madison base and two weeks each year training and keeping up with skills. "There is always the chance of being called to active duty," she said, "but I enjoy being in the reserves and plan on staying until it stops being fun or they force me out because of my age."
LaMontagne has been a teacher at St. Francis for the past three years. Her students seem reluctant to talk to her about her call to active duty, but they have expressed concern to their parents. "They ask questions about war in general and things like will I fly a plane or have to shoot someone," she said. Even though the military's plans are uncertain today, LaMontagne must be ready to leave at any time. "That could be in one week, one month or as little as three hours," she remarked.
If called to active duty, she leaves behind, not only her students, but her children, Jennifer, 13, and Travis, 9. As a single mother that is naturally a great concern for her.
"I think the greatest gift I can give them, however, besides life itself, is a free country to live in and that makes me feel better if I have to leave them," she said.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002