BonnerSprings.com

Because his mind is filled with vivid memories of combat duty and various missions, everyday is Veteran`s Day for Retired Lt. Col. Jim Soper.

During his 27 years of military experience, Soper, assistant principal at Bonner Springs High School, served a 3 1/2 year tour of duty in Vietnam, three three-year tours in Germany, a tour in Mexico, which included an incumbency tour with Peru and an assignment in Somalia. He has also, been all over the world on various types of missions and assignments.

"I think I knew from early childhood that I wanted to be a soldier because I would crawl up into the attic where my dad kept his World War II uniform, and, when he wasn`t home, I would try it on."

Bonner Springs High School Assistant Principal Jim Soper talks to students last week during a Veteran`s Day ceremony at the school. Prior to becoming an educator, Soper served 27 years in the military.

His admiration for his uncle, a 32-year, career soldier, and his fascination with stories told by Mr. Krug, his freshman geography teacher, added to his determination to serve his country.

"I spent most of my career in special operations which are generally conducted behind lines with small groups of men during combat situations," Soper said. He was also often involved in classified operations, the nature of which he is still obligated not to discuss.

Although Soper collected an array of awards, including the Combat Infantry Badge, two silver stars, six bronze stars, two purple hearts ("These mean I forgot to duck.") and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, he is most proud of his achievements in Mexico.

"Prior to our arrival there, an ugly situation had developed between our two countries because of America`s various operations to counter the flow of drugs. There had been a lot of uncomfortable situations where Americans were trying to override what the Mexicans had done, and that had created some bad blood," said Soper.

Although this was not a combat situation, Soper was aware that hostilities existed nevertheless and decided to make an attempt to reestablish good will.

A Master Parachutist, Soper arranged to be the first American ever to jump with the Mexican Army.

"I initiated the entire situation to facilitate a more cooperative environment between the Mexican and the U.S. armies," Soper said.

"They had one parachute brigade of about 2,000 men, and they also had one High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) team of 10 men. So I not only parachuted with static line jumps, but I completed several free-fall jumps at about 30,000 feet as well," he said.

"By taking this risk with them, we demonstrated that we respected their parachute brigade and that we respected their military capabilities just as we expected them to respect ours," Soper said.

He further explained that the gesture opened the door to cooperation between the military forces of the two countries even though the Mexican Army concentrates only on internal security, the reason Mexico had not supported the States by sending troops to the Gulf War.

Soper feels pride that his Mexican mission resulted in Mexican parachutists coming to Fort Bragg, N.C., for training and that well over a hundred U.S. jumpers have participated in their parachute program.

On the other hand, Soper said he feels deep frustration over one of his last missions which was to attempt to rid Somalia of a warlord in much the same manner as the U.S. Army deposed Noreiga in Panama.

"The combat experience which most stands out to me was October 3 and 4 in 1993 in Mogadishu. I am amazed at how little people know about that situation.

"Per capita, there were more men decorated for gallantry and valor during that particular battle than any time in American history," he explained.

Soper`s misgivings about his assignment were validated when the mission to capture Mohammad Farrah Aideed, a warlord who was trying to consolidate the country in a manner counter to the wishes of the U.S government, went wrong.

"Political leaders were advised that we would get some of our young men killed and hurt, yet they refused to listen. This was the event when I decided that I could no longer support the Clinton-Gore administration any further," said Soper.

This decision precipitated his pursuit of retirement from his military career.

Soper`s electing to enter the field of education was not all that unexpected. "I`ve wanted to be a teacher ever since I watched Mr. Krug, and I also had two teaching experiences in the military which I enjoyed," he said.

The transition from working with young soldiers to working with students has not been difficult for Soper.

"I think the transfer of leadership from the military profession into the education profession is identical. You are still working with and guiding young people to complete a particular mission.

"In the military, it is, obviously, a little more specific, a little more dangerous. In the classroom, you are preparing young people for their lives, which is a mission just as important," he said.

Soper does wish more young people would enter military service.

"Once you invest in your nation, you have a greater appreciation for the life that it offers," he said.

His teaching experience has affected him personally. Prior to his experience in the classroom, he had been reluctant to share his experiences.

"It was very uncommon for me to talk about my military experiences until my first year of teaching. I would walk in and say, adies and gentlemen, we are going to talk about American history, and I can talk about it because I am history.

"I quickly found that I could tell various vignettes from military history, tie them to a specific event and, from that, tie them into modern day. I caught the kid`s attention and helped them understand what had actually transpired," he said.

Now that Soper has advanced to an administrative position, he works with students in a different capacity, yet he continues to see how valuable military training could be for young people.

"Some of the things I see missing in kids today are direction, discipline and respect for authority. If you go to the military services and you complete that experience, then you`re going to have all of those.

"I think it, also, helps those who have never been in a disciplined environment to develop self pride," he stated.

Although he is retired, Soper still serves the military by sitting on Sen. Sam Brownback`s committee to select Kansas appointees to the military academies. Soper feels having that honor is a privilege.

Where to settle after retirement was a decision Soper left to Paralee, his wife of 27 years. Since he had attended graduate school at KU, she told him that she wanted to return to this area, so they moved to Leavenworth in 1994. After doing his student teaching at BSHS, he was asked by then principal Bob VanMaren to fill a vacancy in the social studies department.

A new grandfather, Soper enjoys time with his family. His 12-year-old son, Ryan, is still at home while his two daughters are married. Karen and Pete Standish live in Dallas and recently welcomed the Sopers` first grandchild, Matthew, in October. Diana and Mike Cotton live in Kansas City, Mo., where they both work for Southwest Airlines.