AUBURN - Susan Izzo's fourth-grade class was in awe Monday as Army Spc. James Riddle told them humorous and dismal stories from his time spent in Iraq. He passed around relics of his experiences so students could see and touch real-life memories of war.

“Mr. Riddle stepped up to the plate and brought hands-on, real-life pieces to share in the classroom,” Izzo said. “It helps the kids connect with other parts of the world where something very serious is going on.”

Riddle's daughter, Krissy, is in Izzo's class at Casey Park Elementary School. She and her classmates were able to have a dialogue with Riddle and ask him questions about life in Iraq. He talked to them about the weapons and vehicles he used while in Iraq, the hot temperature there, the different kinds of housing and dress Iraqis have and the dangerous missions in which he used to participate. The goal was to help the students learn about Veterans Day and appreciate the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces, said Izzo.

Riddle, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, tried to paint a realistic picture for the students. While passing around photos of a thermometer with a reading higher than 100 degrees and another of a camel spider that dwarfed a pack of cigarettes, he shared his memories.

“We had three days off (when we arrived) just to get used to the temperature and time change,” Riddle said. “We were in what was supposed to be the worst place in Iraq.”

Riddle told stories of how a friend was injured after stepping on a roadside bomb, and how other soldiers he knew suffered blasts of shrapnel, concussions and hearing loss when they stepped on mines.

“My biggest thing was leaving Krissy and my wife behind,” he said, “and not knowing if I was going to be killed.”

The stories were not all disheartening, however. Riddle passed around a photo of a soldier napping peacefully before going out on a mission and told students about a prank he and his friends played on a lieutenant in their bunker. Riddle said they found and killed a deadly camel spider and hid it in the lieutenant's laptop for him to find the next time he logged onto his computer.

“Even if it's war, you've got to have fun,” said Riddle. “If you don't have fun, it'll drive you crazy.”

The students asked Riddle questions about weapons, vacation time and camel spiders.

“I think it was exciting to see the stuff he brought in,” said John Charbono, one of Izzo's students. “I have never seen it and he was good at telling us (about it).”

Phonta Johnson, another student in the class, also got to see Riddle speak at the school last year.

“He had some good information that people might not have known,” said Johnson. “It was good to have someone in the class that is in the Army.”

Riddle said he is happy to come speak to students about Iraq and Veterans Day. He speaks to students so they will respect and honor veterans in their day-to-day lives.

“When they see a soldier walk down the street, they may actually shake his hand,” Riddle said. “They probably go to Walmart and see veterans there. Maybe they'll take the time to talk to them. Soldiers appreciate it, especially when it comes from a kid.”

Riddle said Krissy loves it when he comes to speak at school. He said she often asks questions of him in class that she might not ask at home.

“It lets her know that I am here,” he said. “It's a way to spend time with her, since I spend so much time away.”

Staff writer Kelly Voll can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or kelly.voll@lee.net