Poland students get rare visit from Marines

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

POLAND

Hundreds of people eagerly scanned the skies, shielding their eyes from the glaring sun.

Kids excitedly jumped up and down as a faint buzz grew louder.

The group, gathered at Poland Union Elementary’s playground Wednesday, erupted in shouts and “USA!” cheers, waving American flags and banners, as they spotted a sight that is rarely seen in Poland: two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters descending for landing.

The choppers settled on the school’s baseball fields, where nine Marines spent the afternoon talking to students and showing them around the helicopters.

“I would like to think that something like this instills a strong sense of pride in our country in them,” said Union Principal Mike Masucci of the students.

Masucci is the one who made the event happen; he previously arranged similar visits at North Elementary over the years.

“A few phone calls to the Pentagon didn’t hurt,” he said.

The Marines traveled from a reserve base in New Jersey, stopping in Pennsylvania to refuel.

“We don’t do stuff like this often,” said Maj. Adam Snyder. “The excitement from these guys gets us thrilled.”

“Hearing you guys chant ‘USA’ makes me so proud,” he told students, before they sang “This Land Is Your Land.”

The Marines experienced students’ gratitude in written form as well; about 300 families sent letters thanking them for their service.

Snyder himself has served in combat, most recently in Afghanistan in 2013.

Union students also have shown their appreciation for the troops by raising money for a nonprofit organization that sends Christmas trees to troops overseas.

The highlight for kids, it seemed, was getting to crawl through the choppers – a UH-14 Yankee and an AH-1W Cobra.

“This is too cool!” a girl exclaimed as she climbed out of the helicopter, assisted by one of the officers.

“I can’t stop, it’s too awesome,” another child said.

“I think it’s a sight and a sound that they won’t forget for a long, long time,” Masucci said.