U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Richards talks to Jan Ward’s second-grade class at Blossom Gulch Elementary School on Monday. Richards was on leave from Iraq and visited the students to thank them for a care package they sent to him in September.-World Photo by Susan Chambers

COOS BAY — Jan Ward’s second-grade students get excited when a guest visits their classroom. But rare is the visitor who commands their attention as thoroughly as U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Richards did.

At a moment’s notice, the children went from rambunctious squealing to sitting in silence. Their heads, covered by tri-cornered hats featuring red, white and blue construction paper, swiveled in unison to greet Richards.

Wearing a crisp khaki shirt and green pants, Richards strode to the front of the class, his shoulders squared and back ramrod straight. But his military demeanor did not spread to his face, which broke into a smile as he addressed his audience.

It had been a while since he had had an opportunity to speak with children who could understand his words.

About six months ago, Richards was deployed to Iraq on his first tour of duty. In October, he received a special treat: a package from Ward’s students. A family friend, Ward told Richards a surprise might be on the way, but the gift still resonated with him when it arrived. It included gum, wet wipes, beef jerky, magazines and letters from the children.

“The baby wipes were great. It was nice to get clean,” he said. “(Receiving the package) was like getting a dose of civilization.”

So when he recently returned home for two weeks of leave, he made sure to make his way down to Blossom Gulch to thank the students for their generosity.

“All the Marines were excited to get your letters, to see what you had to say,” he told them. “Thank you for making us feel appreciated.”

Linda Richards, Tyler’s mother, joined her son and provided accompaniment on piano as the children sang “America the Beautiful” and “This Land is Your Land.”

“It was a great gift because there are a lot of people over there who don’t get things like that,” she said. “It’s a nice way to share with fellow companions.”

To show his gratitude, Richards had a present of his own. He presented Ward a tight, triangular bundle of blue and white. It was an American flag that flew over the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.

Ward shared with her students how she first met Richards when he was a first-grade student at Bangor Elementary School in North Bend. Her son, David, was in his class and they became fast friends. They have kept touch even while Richards has been serving in Iraq. Ward followed Richards’ progress through North Bend schools and then kept tabs of what he was doing in the Marines.

“He’s just a wonderful boy,” she said.

Richards, 22, graduated from North Bend High School in 2003 and, after a year at Southwestern Oregon Community College, he enlisted.

“I just decided that was what I should do,” he said.

While in the Middle East, he was involved in the Toys for Tots program, handing out gifts to Iraqi children. But most didn’t speak English, so it wasn’t the same as visiting Ward’s classroom. The visit was a much appreciated respite for Richards, who is already on his way back to Iraq for the remaining six months of his tour.

“It always puts a smile on your face to see kids,” he said. “It makes me remember back when I was a kid.”

The students were just as excited to meet a Marine.

Bridget Donovan, 7, said it was the first time she had seen a Marine. She said Ward had shown the class a picture of him, but it was different to meet Richards in person.

“He was way different than in the picture,” she said.

Miles Wheeler, 7, got to hold the classroom’s miniature flag as his classmates recited the Pledge of Allegiance and said he was glad to meet a soldier.

Linda Richards was glad to see her son. She said it was nice that he could come back for Thanksgiving, but even if his leave had fallen at a different time, it wouldn’t have mattered.

“We make the holiday when he is here,” she said Thursday. “We had Christmas on Saturday!”

The gift-giving spread into Monday, when every student received a miniature flag from Richards and took a picture with him. He also showed the children American symbols from a book and promised to come back to visit them next year once he gets home.

Claire Peters, 7, said she enjoyed getting her picture taken with Richards and liked to see him in his uniform.

Richards was the first Marine Adrian Muth had ever met. Dressed in a camouflage T-shirt, the 8-year-old said he would like to be a soldier someday, too.

“So I could come to classrooms and talk,” he said.