News : Iowa Legion leaders honor Vasquez as Teacher of the Year at VSMS

Iowa Legion officers presented Alex Vasquez his Teacher of the Year plaque.

Each May, Mr. Vasquez takes his students outside for a realistic Civil War lesson.

The Iowa Legion honored Mr. Vasquez for several projects, including the annual Pearl Harbor event.

On Saturday, Dec 7, local veterans will make their way to Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School, where they and other guests will listen as Alex Vasquez and his students lead the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial ceremony; an event that Vazquez initiated several years ago.

On Monday, the veterans made their way to Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School, where they honored Mr. Vasquez for the many ways in which he helps teach history and bring veterans and students together.

The veterans joined the students this time to honor Mr. Vasquez as the Iowa Legion Educator of the Year.

The award, which was first announced in July, has finally been celebrated in Vinton, with a standing ovation from the honoree's students.

Mr. Vazquez received his 2013 Iowa American Legion Department Educator of the Year Award on Monday.

Third District and Department of Iowa Legion commanders visited VSMS, where they presented Vasquez his plaque. Students then responded with a standing ovation.

Vasquez first received the honor in July at the annual meeting of the Iowa Legion, but members of the Department decided to come to Vinton to honor Vasquez in front of his peers and students.

Vasquez is the grandson of a World War II sailor and a descendant of a Union soldier who survived being shot in the face during the Civil War.

George G. Luckey Post 57 Legion members nominated Vasquez for this award for several reasons, including his annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Service each December.

A Civil War re-enactor, Vasquez also takes his students outside each May for a Civil War marching lesson, allowing his top students to carry his vintage rifles. He even demonstrates the firing of a musket-loader.

"When you talk the students of Mr. Vasquez, and their parents, it is apparent they would love to have more of this type of involvement by other teachers," said Roger Uthoff, a Vinton Legion member and Past District Vice Commander.

Vasquez also received praise for helping connect the community to its veterans.

"One of the goals of the American Legion has always been to work in cooperation with schools that assist veterans, their families and local communities," said Joylyn Steinfadt of Atkins, the Iowa Legion Americanism Chairperson. "These educators have a unique opportunity with our schools to distribute information to students about our many programs."

Legion Riders salute in July

In addition to receiving the award from the Legion, Vasquez and other award recipients received a salute from the Legion Riders.
"I was very touched when the Legion Riders saluted all the honored guests after the parade--the Legionnaire of the Year, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, the representatives from the Boys' and Girls' State, the Junior Shooting Sports Markswoman, and the essay winners--by revving their motorcycles en masse," said Vasquez. "This is only done on special, honored occasions and is an experience I will never forget."

Vasquez also thanked the Legion, especially the Post 57 veterans, for honoring him.

"I wish to thank the members of the George G. Luckey Post and the Legion Auxiliary, the Iowa American Legion, all Veterans, and those servicemen and women currently protecting and defending our Nation," said Vasquez. "I am deeply honored and humbled in receiving the Legion’s Educator award. It inspires me to keep researching and perfecting my craft, and would not have been possible without the efforts of the children and families I am blessed to work with every year."