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Chattanooga: A special homecoming

By: Lauren Gregory
(Contact)

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cBut the 5-year-old had much more important things to ask about when Marine Staff Sgt. Jason Loeffler came to see him Monday at Spring Creek Elementary School.

“Can we watch (the television show) ‘Goosebumps?’” Cameron asked as Staff Sgt. Loeffler, 26, balanced the kindergartner on his hip.

It’s that and getting to “hug on him” that Cameron says are some of things he missed most since his father left for a dangerous mission in Iraq in February. His excitement upon Staff Sgt. Loeffler’s return has been contagious — so much so that his entire East Ridge elementary school decided to help celebrate.

“Cameron was so excited. He hadn’t seen him in so long,” said his kindergarten teacher, Sarah Leeseberg.

So Ms. Leeseberg enlisted all 600-plus Spring Creek students to line the school’s driveway and front entrance Monday in anticipation of Staff Sgt. Loeffler’s arrival. The students took the mission to heart, dressing in red, white and blue and waving flags and posters while leading spirited “USA” chants as they awaited their hero.

They broke out into excited screams and cheers as the Marine arrived in a large, dark blue SUV, getting even louder as he emerged and his young son ran across the parking lot toward him for a huge embrace.

All of the attention was “a big surprise” to the overwhelmed father, who was very obviously cherishing the chance to get face to face with his son.

“And you didn’t even know!” his son exclaimed with pride, managing to hug his father’s neck and wave a flag at the same time.

“I almost told him,” Cameron added as an aside to the group of photographers encircling him.

Cameron had gotten his first chance to see Staff Sgt. Loeffler briefly that morning, said his mother, Elizabeth Loeffler. But this was his chance to have a real celebration, she said, complete with a special performance of “God Bless America” and a huge, patriotic sheet cake.

The burly, tattooed warrior wiped tears from his eyes as Ms. Leeseberg read from a letter his son had composed for him while he was gone.

“I want you to come to my school because I want to show you everything,” she read. “I love you, Daddy.”

Looking on with a compassionate smile, Principal Paula Burgner said she was sure that Monday’s party meant something even to those who don’t know the family personally.

“The teachers have all been talking about patriotism — not necessarily the war, but patriotism — all week,” she said, “but it’s kind of hard to understand. This makes it real.”

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