LEWISTON — Lewiston Middle School Principal Shawn Chabot, who was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in September, is not leaving after all.

Chabot is a member of the 251st Engineer Co. of Norway, a Maine Army National Guard unit specially trained to clear explosives. The unit’s order to deploy to Afghanistan has been canceled, the result of President Barack Obama’s order to reduce military forces to 30,000 by Oct. 1. The cancellation was announced last month by Brig. Gen. James Campbell, adjutant general of Maine.

Chabot said he’s both disappointed and relieved.

“I was nervous about going, but also wanted to do my part to serve and give back to my country like so many other men and women,” he said. He’s relieved that he won’t have to put his family “through a hard year emotionally, and missing them deeply.”

Anticipating Chabot’s one-year deployment, the School Committee earlier this year had appointed Paul Amnott to serve as interim principal for one year. Amnott is a retired Lewiston High School assistant principal.

Superintendent Bill Webster said he was surprised and pleased to learn Chabot’s deployment had been canceled.

“His leadership will be most helpful in guiding Lewiston Middle School through schedule changing, the construction project and other school improvements next year,” Webster said.

Chabot has been a member of the National Guard for more than 13 years. He is a medic with EMT certification.

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

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