Welcome Home Mr. D!

Students at Mayfield Elementary School gathered in the gymnasium to welcome back their art teacher, Nathan Denryter, who has spent the last several months serving with the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan. The students made posters that read “Welcome Back Mr. D!” MAYFIELD TWP. — Lapeer elementary art teacher Nathan Denryter was given a warm welcome home this week at two schools. The United States Air Force Tech Sergeant recently finished a nearly fourmonth deployment to Afghanistan, his third military tour, and immediately returned to the schools where his students have been anxiously awaiting his arrival.

The entire student body at Mayfield Elementary School gathered in the gymnasium with posters spelling out “Welcome Back Mr. D!” Members from the American Legion Post 16 in Lapeer were also present for the welcome back assembly, conducting the color guard ceremony and giving some personal remarks on TSgt. Denryter and what it means to be a veteran.

Photos by Jacob Hunsanger Dick Krieger, a local veteran and member of the American Legion, spoke at Mayfield Wednesday morning. His remarks were both directed toward Denryter, thanking him for his service, and toward the students, explaining to them what it means to serve in the military.

“I know many of you missed him when he was gone,” said Krieger to the students. “You may only think of him as a teacher, but as most of us here today are also veterans, we think of him as a fellow veteran. We honor his commitment and his service, and we also are glad for his return safely.”

Krieger continued. Tech. Sergeant Nathan Denryter was welcomed back from Afghanistan by students at Mayfield and Seaton Elementary schools. Pictured above, Denryter shows students a slideshow of photos he took while he was on his deployment in Afghanistan.