Wayside Elementary Hosts Iraq Vet, Best-Selling Author

Students at Wayside Elementary School in Potomac will receive a special guest next week, when a best-selling author, decorated military officer and Churchill High School alum visits to teach students a lesson in tolerance.

U.S. Army Captain Luis Montalván was wounded during his two tours in Iraq and, after attempting to deal with the mental and emotional trauma of the war alone, became the first military service member to be awarded a companion service dog.

Montalván wrote a New York times bestseller about his experiences with and without his dog, named Tuesday, and will visit Wayside on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to share that story with students as part of the school’s second annual special needs awareness week.

The awareness week, known as the Special Needs Awareness Program, is designed to teach kids empathy and sensitivity to others. The Montgomery County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations recognized Wayside last year for its work with the program.

The school will host two assemblies during the day for students and teachers. Wayside parents are invited to a third meeting later Wednesday evening.