As the Naval Reserves nears its 100th birthday in March, Upper Freehold Regional School District Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick already has good reason to celebrate that milestone.
Fitzpatrick shared a heartwarming letter he received from the military at the Board of Education’s Jan. 7 meeting.
In the letter dated Dec. 1, U.S. Navy Capt. R.S. Laedlein thanked Fitzpatrick “for enabling warriors like Commander Michael Dean to serve their nation with honor, courage and commitment…”
Dean began working as the information technology manager in the district in March 2014, but five months later he was called to serve in the Naval Reserves. When he returned home, his job in the school district was waiting for him. That prompted the letter.
Laedlein wrote that “knowing patriots like you [Fitzpatrick] and your company understand and participate in the sacrifice required for freedom to endure is inspirational. Citizen sailors are required to balance commitment to their family, community, nation and their civilian employer. This could not be possible without the support and understanding that you provide on a daily basis.”
Dean was taken by surprise by the supportive letter.
“I did not expect it,” Dean said. “Dr. Fitzpatrick said some very nice things about me. He is, after all, an Air Force veteran who served as a medic.”
While Dean realized the professionals with whom he works in the Technology Department “would have no problem supporting both students and teachers,” he felt slightly uneasy about the prospect of leaving before the start of a new school year.
On short notice, Dean was given orders in August to report to Norfolk, Va. As Acting Commanding Officer of the Joint Public Affairs Support Element-Reserve, Dean was responsible for planning responses to certain situations in the Middle East.
He was second in charge of a unit of 15 public affairs professionals who directly support maritime operations in the Arabian Gulf. The unit’s members were responsible for conducting media analysis of world events potentially impacting Fifth Fleet operations, writing stories and shooting photographs of sailors in the fleet.
Fortunately, Dean said, his orders were subsequently rescinded and his period of service was not lengthy.
Dean has previously served in three wars: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm from November 1991 through March 1992 in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia; Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2006 through February 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq; and Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2012 through June 2013 in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“My service in the Navy Reserve is a great source of pride for me,” Dean said. “Some of the finest people I have met are those with whom I have served in uniform. While I recognize the military is not something for everyone, for many young Americans it offers educational opportunities they would never otherwise have.”
He returned home feeling “blessed” to continue his job in the school district where his responsibilities involve managing all aspects of the district’s technology program, including all computers, servers, telephone systems and more.
“Dr. Fitzpatrick and the board were 100 percent supportive of my obligation and the Navy Reserve wanted to recognize them for their support,” Dean said. “The best thing about the Upper Freehold Regional School District is the way it feels like a family.”
Dean resides in Langhorne, Pa., with his wife, Susan, and their sons Daniel, 13, Benjamin, 15, Matthew, 17, William, 19, and Thomas, 21.
Dean said he returned home ready to continue meeting his goals.
“My goal in life is to give more than I get,” he said. “I am certainly the most fortunate person I know. I have a wonderful family. I work in a fantastic school district and, every day, I am grateful for the good fortune bestowed upon me.”