Deploying Teacher's Surprise Sendoff

Although the school year has just started, students in Hamilton County are saying goodbye to one of their teachers this year.Elementary School Kindergarten teacher is deploying to Kuwait.

Diana Fleshman has been a teacher in Hamilton County for 10 years.She was involved with the military for 15 years but this is the first time she has ever been deployed overseas.Fleshman says after just starting with new students it's hard to say goodbye for the year but she feels strongly about serving.

It started off as a routine Friday in Diana Fleshman's Sale Creek kindergarten class. But news that Mrs. Fleshman was deploying to Kuwait spread like wildfire and her students had something up their sleeves, to honor her.

"To just show our appreciate that she's leaving and we'll be praying for her in the war and everything," said fourth grader Kirstie Williams.

" I wore Red, White and Blue yesterday and I walked in this morning and there's a sea of Red White and Blue and I though ' Oh nobody told me,' " said Fletchman.

Fleshman was on active duty for the navy for 13 years, 4 of those she was stationed at the White House and served under President Reagan. She took 16 years off to raise her 4 children who also went through Hamilton County Schools. But she always felt she was meant to serve so 2 years ago she enlisted in the navy reserves.

"So incredibly lucky to have served in active duty for 13 years and it's really an honor to serve it really is," said Fleshman.

Students surprised her with this patriotic program where the Soddy Daisy High School JR ROTC presented the colors and North Hamilton Elementary sang songs...showing her they're proud she's representing their school and their country.

" I'm overwhelmed. I love this community. I love these students. My first class just went to middle school so I have children in all of these classes," said Fleshman.

And although she says it's hard to leave those children behind she's always wanted to serve overseas and represent her country.

"A little nervous but it's what I'm supposed to do I think. I feel it."

Fleshman leaves for Kuwait next Sunday. Saturday her son will pin her Chief Yeoman as E-7 and she says he feels like she has come full circle. Fleshman plans to teach Kindergarten again at North Hamilton Elementary School when she comes home next year.