Mascot Returns from Trip with Marines

Wolfie, Abbey Reinke Elementary School's stuffed-wolf mascot, got back from a seven-month trip with marines.

The toy rode a ship with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit all over the world. School officials gave the toy to the marines in May, and the school welcomed Wolfie home during a ceremony Jan. 7.

“Wolfie has been all over the place,” said Col. Roy A. Osborn, the unit's commanding officer. “He’s been to Guam, Australia, Dubai and Thailand just to name a few."

Students could track Wolfie's travels via a bulletin board at the school, which displayed photos the soldiers sent showing the toy in different parts of the world.

“When Wolfie was deployed, the kids kept track of him through the board,” explained Christine Boyd, principal of Abbey Reinke. “It really helped the kids stay connected with the world and give them a view of life during a deployment."

Wolfie finally returned during a weekly ceremony the school holds to recognize students' accomplishments. A marine handed Wolfie to the student body president, and the flag that flew on the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu went up on the school’s flag pole.

“The whole program really helped the students with military family members stay connected to their loved ones,” explained Boyd. “Sometimes a child with a family member deployed can feel alone, but I think the program really helped a lot of them feel like they weren’t."

This might not be the mascot's first trip away from the school, if the principal has her way. “We would love Wolfie to go on another deployment,” said Boyd. “The kids would love to see what else Wolfie can do."

“I hope he goes on the next float,” said Osborn. “These kinds of programs are important for helping the community relate to the Marine Corps, especially the younger generation."