Fix-it man enjoys hero’s welcome

ROLE MODEL—Spencer Ross, a Navy Seabee, gives Grace Brethren Elementary students high fives after a special ceremony for him Tuesday before school. Ross returned to work this week as a member of the facilities staff at Grace Brethren after spending six months at war. Wearing patriotic colors, the students of Grace Brethren Elementary School turned out to welcome back their very own hero, Spencer Ross.

Ross, 25, was a maintenance worker at the school before his deployment to Iraq in April.

The students cheered and waved “welcome home” posters they’d made for the returning Navy Seabee.

“I thought it was great they would do this,” said Ross, who grew up in Simi Valley. “It was really cool seeing the kids. I recognized a lot of them from before I left.”

The faith-based school’s 380 students assembled outside for the brief ceremony on Tuesday.

YOUNG ADMIRERS—Grace Brethren kindergartners Cameron Schulz, 5, and Ariana Roberts, 4, hold a sign for Spencer Ross at his “homecoming” event Tuesday. Grace Brethren students, parents, faculty and staff wore red, white and blue and made signs and posters to welcome Ross back to work. “He’s really nice,” said Brooke Bryan, 10, a fifth-grader and president of the student body. “We’re glad to have him back.”

Faculty members as well as many parents attended the event.

“The students don’t really know anyone who’s served unless it’s their grandparents,” said Karen Simeri, principal of Grace Brethren. “Spencer is one of their mentors, and to see him come home was very exciting.”

Ross has returned to his duties as a maintenance worker at the school and plans to continue volunteering as the school’s soccer and volleyball coach.

“We’ve missed him for the last six months,” said Paul Wise, facility administrator for the Grace Brethren schools. “He was a vital part of running the elementary school. He’s a hard worker and always volunteers to help out.”

As a Seabee, Ross earned the rank of Builder Second Class. The Seabees are the Construction Battalions of the United States Navy. Ross was in the Navy Reserves when he was deployed to Balad, Iraq, for active duty.

“We do a lot of the construction and maintenance for all the different branches. We work with the Air Force, Army, the Marines and Navy over there,” Ross said. “We do a lot more than harbors. We construct buildings and runways and airports as well.”

Although he wasn’t directly in the line of fire, Ross said he experiences dangerous situations several times in Iraq.

He would step up to serve again, if asked.

“We’re working hard and we’re doing a lot of good work,” Ross said. “We believe in what we’re doing over there. We believe in the Iraqi people. We’re giving them the chance to stand up and make their own decisions.”

Ross is a graduate of Grace Brethren Elementary School and an alumnus of Grace Brethren High School, Class of 2002. He received a Bachelor of Science in fire administration from Cal State Los Angeles in 2007. His goal is to become a firefighter.

His proud parents, Stan and Cristy Ross, attended the ceremony that welcomed home their son.

“The gathering was overwhelming,” said his father, a mechanical engineer. “There’s a lot of love here.”

Ross’ older brother, Tucker, 29, lives in Moorpark and is a

business analyst for the Walt Disney Company. His twin brother, Tim, is in the Navy

and serving in Afghanistan as an assistant and bodyguard to Marine chaplains. He’s due back home in November.

While the Rosses are anxious about their son Tim serving in a war zone, they’re very thankful for Spencer’s safe return.

“We’re happy he’s back,” said his mother. “As parents, we have no vote on whether our children go or not. They have to do what they have to do. They’re serving a noble cause.”

During his time in Iraq, the letters Ross received from the students had special meaning. He shared some of them with his military friends.

“It was really humbling getting the letters,” Ross said. “You hear about others . . . getting letters and now you’re the one getting the letters. It’s humbling to be called a hero.”