Kids honor their Soldier John
Jennifer DeMonte/Daily Inter Lake<br>Montana National Guard Sgt. John Lyons of Kalispell looks over artwork from children of A Joyful Noise Preschool and Childcare. From left: Jake Freeman, 4, Peyton Kehr, 5, Ryley Kehr, 3, and Samantha Mueller. The children adopted "Soldier John" after he was stationed in Iraq last May and will continue to send him artwork, licorice and prayers when he returns to Iraq with the 639th Quartermaster Company this week.
The children of A Joyful Noise Preschool and Childcare in Columbia Falls have walked in soldier John Lyons' boots.
They have also worn the National Guardsman's camouflage shirt, gloves and hat during Soldier John play. Peggy Seaman, owner of the school, said they want to emulate his service in Iraq protecting their country.
"He's very important in their lives," Seaman said.
On Wednesday, the children honored their adopted soldier with a lunch before he heads back to rejoin the 639th Quartermaster Company of the Montana National Guard.
The children, ranging from 3 to 6 years old, peppered their hero with questions over sandwiches from Blimpies.
"He really laughed when they asked 'Do you wear pajamas to bed,'" Seaman said. "He's very child friendly."
Lyons came with gifts, such as a camel made of leather, to thank the children for all their support.
According to Seaman, the special relationship began when she heard from Lyons' wife Mary that her husband, then 58, was facing some tough living conditions for a middle-aged soldier.
Lyons, now 59, worked at the city of Kalispell maintenance shop when he was called to active duty.
"I talked to our kids about him," she said. "I told them his job over there was to protect our country … to protect us."
Hearing this, the children decided their job was to provide moral support by adopting him as their "Soldier John." They asked his wife to provide a list of Lyons' favorite treats.
The youngsters immediately zeroed in on his love of red licorice. Candy flooded in for a shipment.
"We took a picture of all of us eating licorice," Seaman said with a laugh. "We sent him a ton of it."
Lyons decided to share his bounty with the children at a local Iraqi hospital.
The children also made a tie-dyed shirt and lots of art work for Soldier John which gets included in packages sent to Iraq about every three weeks.
"He took the art work and put it up all over his tent," Seaman said.
The exchange became a two-way street when Mary Lyons brought in some of her husband's soldier garb for the children.
Seaman said they love to march around in his boots, shirt and gloves.
"His shirt goes all the way down to their ankles," she said with a laugh.
As a Christian-based school, the students also include a prayer for Lyons every day. Seaman said that they never forget that daily ritual.
When he returned on leave to Kalispell Oct. 18, 31 children and adults showed up at the airport with a welcome-home sign. Seaman cried when Lyons came over and knelt down to the children's level and said "Thank you for praying for me."
He thanked them again at the Wednesday lunch for making his Iraq duty easier. Lyons told the the 45 children and adults at the lunch that he believed in the cause and was proud to serve.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.