"Whatever you do, don't feel sorry for me, because I'm doing what I love," Utah Army National Guard Master Sgt. and junior high history teacher Charles Durrant told an auditorium full of students Friday in advance of his departure for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. "When I'm gone be kind to one another . . . it will help me to know you are being kind to one another."
With cheers, shouts and a standing ovation, students and faculty at the school at 1582 W. 3300 North honored Durrant at a farewell assembly as the 41-year-old leaves to be part of an Army training team. This will be his third tour of duty.
"I'm overwhelmed. I've never seen anything like it," a teary-eyed Durrant said of the assembly. "It's touching, incredible."
Unlike his last tour of duty to Iraq in 2003-2004 when he had one day's notice, Durrant said he had plenty of time to prepare himself and his students for his departure this time.
"We've had a chance to get our heads around it," he said, adding he's talked a lot to students about the nature of conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
During Friday's assembly, the school honored the 20-year Army veteran as teacher of the month and presented him with a patriotic award along with video cameras he can use to keep in contact with the school.
Students presented Durrant with a book of letters written by them, a slideshow and music dedications.
During his absence, they will send a care package each month. "I was going to say to them if I knew that they were going to do that I would ask to be extended for two years," he joked.
Durrant began teaching at Lincoln three years ago when the public charter school first opened. Before then, he taught for 10 years at a school in Ferron.
His previous tour of duty was in Baghdad, where he served as a member of the 1457th Engineer Battalion based in American Fork.
"He is my favorite teacher. I wanted to be able to make his last days at Lincoln Academy special for him so he would be able to remember us in a good way," said Moe Gonzales, a student council member who helped organize the assembly. "He is my biggest inspiration, and if he really wants to go, I'll let him."
The school has hired a replacement for Durrant while he is overseas, Principal Mark Dennison said.
"He is a hard employee to replace. He is well-loved by students and teachers," he said.
Flags on the school's front lawn placed in Durrant's honor blew in the windy afternoon Friday as if saluting the departing soldier.
"Please know that your support is key to keeping soldiers, healthy, happy and alive," Durrant said. "It's important and truly appreciated."
