MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- When Amy Budde, a teacher at Morning Creek Elementary School, contacted Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in hopes of setting up a “Partnerships in Education” program with her classroom, she never dreamed of the huge impact that the students, herself and Marines would have on each other.

Since the program's start in January, six selfless Marines have spent their time forming friendships, encouraging dreams and inspiring Budde’s second grade students, earning the California State Parent Teacher Association’s “Honorary Service Special Person Award” for their efforts.

“When these Marines walked into my classroom, I never could have imagined just how significant this project would become in the children’s lives and mine,” said Budde, a Seattle, native. “The effect that these fine young men had on the children is something irreplaceable. They were big brothers to these kids.”

Every month, the Marines would read books, help with special craft projects and school assignments, listen to “show-and-tell” speeches, and play sports and games with the children.
Originally, the program started out with the Marines visiting the classroom once a month, but Budde and the Marines quickly agreed that additional visits were necessary. Soon the Marines were visiting once every other week and then multiple times in the months nearing the end of the school year, even attending Budde’s baby shower.

The Marines also began showing up ahead of their scheduled time and started staying in the classroom longer. Several Marines, including Capt. Adam Brammer, Information Systems Management Officer, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, also made plans to volunteer next school year.

“I know a lot of these kids don’t sleep the night before we come,” said the Loveland, Colo. native. “It feels great knowing that they look forward to this.”

According to Budde, she never thought of how the children would impact the Marines, only how the Marines would impact the children.

“I had a long conversation with two of the Marines on their last day in the classroom,” she said. “One mentioned that no matter what the stresses were in his daily life or work life, he always looked forward to coming to the classroom because all of his worries would go away.”

On the last day of the program, Budde and several of the kids shed tears as they said goodbye to their “heroes.”

“I realized that these Marines were saying goodbye to the children with the same pride and sadness that I feel when I say goodbye at the end of each school year,” said Budde. “Learning truly was a two-way road for the children and Marines. They are Marines, but most importantly to the kids…heroes.”

Pam Zemper is one delighted parent who couldn’t be happier to hear about her daughter’s recap of her day at school with the Marines.

“This is a great program and lots of other classes are very jealous,” Zemper, a San Diego native, said. “It has been the best part of Amanda’s second grade experience and this is really the best year in school that she has ever had, because of the Marines.”
Amanda couldn’t agree more.

“Since the Marines have been with us for a long time, it feels like they’re part of our family,” she said. “This has been my best year ever.”

The “Partnerships in Education” program will continue in September. For more information, contact the MCAS Miramar Consolidated Public Affairs  Office Community Relations Department at (858) 577-7546.