‘MISSING PIECE’ BACK IN PLACE

Military officer returns from deployment to townwide fanfare

PORTLAND — The Portland High School family opened its arms and hearts for Chief Petty Officer James Stotler Thursday as he returned from a nine-month deployment with the U.S. Navy.

This was the second deployment for Stotler, a military intelligence specialist who enlisted after the Sept. 11 attacks and had previously served a year in Iraq. Led by Superintendent of Schools Philip B. O’Reilly, the school community was on hand to welcome back Stotler, who had arrived home March 30.

There were actually two welcoming events at the high school. The first involved two grades of students, and a second, more intimate, gathering with school officials and fellow teachers in the library/ media center.

The morning began as Stotler, clad in camouflage, strode across the gymnasium floor toward Principal Kathryn Lawson just before 11 a.m. As he did so, waves of goodwill from the assembled ninth and tenth graders were shared with Stotler and his son, James Jr., 7.

One student, Luke DeToro, darted out onto the gym floor and enveloped Stotler in a bear hug as his fellow students clapped and cheered. Twenty-one members of the PHS a cappella group stepped forward to sing the National Anthem.

Lawson then said how “nice it is to be able to gather for the homecoming for Chief Stotler.”

A social studies teacher for 20 years, Stotler is also the varsity boys’ soccer coach. But, more than that, Stotler is someone who supports students not just in the classroom, but on the athletic fields, and in his daily interactions with them, Lawson said.

Lawson then gave way to the man of the hour.

“This is overwhelming,” Stotler said, acknowledging the support he and his wife (and fellow teacher) Michele Stotler have received from the town, the Board of Education, school administration, fellow teachers and students.

“I am extremely blessed to have a community like this which I have adopted as my hometown.”

He paid tribute to his

wife and son as he said, “I wasn’t the only one who deployed. My family deployed as well.”

Recognizing his unique position, Stotler said, “I’m not special. There are thousands of troops, men and women, who are deployed in dangerous areas. “If I have made you aware of their efforts, then I feel I’ve done something” to justify the tribute.

He asked the students — and his colleagues — when they next see a service member to thank them and really mean it, “because they do great work in service to the United States of America, and they are doing it for you.”

As Stotler retreated to his seat beside his wife, the a cappella group stepped forward again. It began with “Anchors Aweigh,” the Navy’s song, and segued effortlessly into “America,” which brought the ceremony to a close.

As the students filed out

of the gym, DeToro said, “He was my soccer coach in my freshman, sophomore and junior years.” As well as being a teacher, “he’s been a good mentor to me. He’s someone I look up to.”

DeToro enlisted in the Marine Corps and will leave for recruit training at Parris Island in South Carolina two days after graduates leave the school in June.

Stotler described the celebration as “really special,” adding, “I’ve known some of these kids for four years.” He had really missed coaching the soccer team and intends to spend the next two months decompressing and reconnecting with wife and son, then head back to the classroom full time in the fall, Stotler added.

He has been in the Navy/Naval Reserves for 14 years. He said Thursday he intends to become a 20-year man.

As to where he was stationed, Stotler said simply, “I was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.”

Later, in the library, he shared a homemade cake with his colleagues. As he did, O’Reilly said Michele Stotler had sent him a photo taken at Bradley Airport when Chief Stotler arrived home.

“I started to cry,” O’Reilly admitted. When his daughter asked why he was crying, O’Reilly told her not to worry: “It was a good cry.”

He said he remembered the allegory from Shel Silverstein’s “The Missing Piece.”

“Portland High School has had ‘a missing piece,’” O’Reilly said. “And now I’m glad that missing piece is back in place.”

Stotler greets his wife, Michele, and son, James Jr.