WWII Veteran brings stark reality and humor to 5th grade class

Theres something special about hearing our history from someone who lived it. In many ways, its a gift. When it comes to the battlefields of World War II, the number of voices that can share a first-hand account is growing smaller. But one veteran is still making the rounds.

Bob Zonneville will turn 102 years old in January. But you wouldnt know it.

I aim to be half as spry as he is, said Grant Elementary School teacher Patty Brown. She arranged Zonnevilles recent visit to the school to speak to 5

graders. He didnt hold back about the cost of service.

Youre brought up by your parents, your church, your schools, everybody else, to do whats right. You go into the Army or the Navy or whatever branch you pick, and now youre taught to do just the opposite. Youre there to destroy the enemy, which is, kill em, so to speak, he said. I was 11 months in combat. Then I come home, Im supposed to revert back the other way. Between the memories and the adjustment, it can be a little difficult sometimes.

Its a perspective Brown knows is invaluable to her classroom.

Its just one of the most powerful experiences really, for students to be able to learn history from someone whos experienced it, she said.

At times, she served as a translator, repeating the kids' questions at a volume more suitable to Zonneville. He brought a stark reality to the conversation, mixed with a hearty dose of good humor.

How often did he get to sleep? Wherever you could, he answered, saying hed sometimes take a quick nap on the battlefield.

How did he know when it was time to wake up? War is loud, he said, as giggles erupted from the 5

graders.

Zonneville shared his stories and the lessons he learned along the way.

Anybody who says they werent scared is lying, he said. Courage is not being not afraid; its doing what you have to do even though youre scared.

The kids seemed to appreciate the message, like 5

grader Dominic Santone.

It was at one time what we expected it to be, and also not, he said. I kind of expected the food to be a little bit weird, but taking a nap in the middle of a battlefield? I think that was just kind of blowing away.

Santone wont forget the encounter anytime soon.

Hes still got a voice, and Im happy that he was here today so he could tell us about his experiences, he said.

And as for Zonneville?

Im proud of what I did because when you do something for your country, I think its the greatest thing you can do, he said. He plans to continue showing up in classrooms as long as theyll have him.

Your generation is fantastic. I enjoy coming to these schools because I think your generation surprises everybody, he said. I have the greatest respect for all of you.

Whether its his stories about meals the size of a crackerjack box, or his lessons - Its not about you, its about everybody else, when Zonneville is done, and the questions are all answered, theres one lingering sentiment left in the room.

I wanted to thank you for serving, Brown echoed for one student, after which she and the class filled the air with a resounding round of applause, the air heavy with gratitude.