Wednesday, July 23, 2003
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 |
Buckle's back, for good
Popular McIntosh High teacher and Army reservist looking forward to year in the classroom When Army Reservist Maj. Charles Buckle returns to the classroom Aug. 11, it will be for good this time. After serving as a reservist for 27 years, Buckle, a member of the 335th Theater Signal Command in East Point, received his first-ever deployment orders for Kuwait in the spring of 2002. He returned to the classroom at McIntosh High that December only to find out a few weeks later that he had been deployed again. After Christmas break ended, Buckle was back on active duty. Now he is heading back to the classroom, but he says this time it should be for good. "Technically they could call me up again, but it is doubtful that would happen since reservists are being pulled back. I'm looking forward to getting back into the classroom," he said. While in Kuwait, Buckle's unit was responsible for establishing a telecommunications system to enable soldiers to talk with their command posts through telephone and computer links. As an 11th-grade U.S. history teacher at McIntosh, Buckle plans to use his experience to bring firsthand insights to his students about current events that have unfolded during the last year. He says his students will discuss the changes in foreign policy and the response to those changes, what roles reservists should play now that the war in Iraq is over and how recent events will have an impact on the 2004 Presidential election. "My job as a teacher is to bring in a balanced role and give an even assessment on both sides of the case," he said. "My experience overseas gives me credibility in the classroom. I understand what we did and why we did it." Now that he is getting back into his normal routine of being a husband, father and teacher, Buckle is faced with a very important decision: whether to remain in active service. When he first joined the reserves, he made a personal commitment to stay for 20 years, and after that time, if he was still having fun, he would continue to serve. However, recent experiences are causing him to reevaluate his situation. "It's not that I'm scared to go back, but there comes a point when you have to ask yourself if you and your family have been put through enough," he said. "I was proud to be a part of the war effort and I take great pride that I was there serving my country." Buckle says there is a time when every soldier has to make a decision about retirement. Whether his time is now or later, he says the decision will be solely his to make although his family is pushing for him to retire. "I have put on this uniform for 27 years. I have to decide if I'm ready to hang it up. I love my country and I've enjoyed and loved my Army experience. Whatever I do, it will be my decision." For now, Buckle is just happy to be back home with his family and gearing up for a full academic year at McIntosh.
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