Soldiers receive letters from the heart
December 15, 2008
By Chantelle Lusebrink
-
Tania Saxena, parent volunteer, helps Discovery Elementary School students Angie Culver, Evan Ritchie and Isabella Paxton (from left) write letters to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. By Chantelle Lusebrink
Discovery Elementary School students are doubling up on their letter writing this year — but they’re not sending both to Santa Claus.
Students in every grade are writing letters to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan this month. “We are writing to the soldiers because they miss their families. So, we’re writing to them to make them feel better,” third-grader Grace Whitten said. “We’re like their pen pals.”
Her letter included information about her life and what she likes to do for the holidays. She also thanked the servicemen and women.
Rough drafts and edits, second drafts and more edits — the students diligently polished their holiday wishes for the troops before sending them.
“It is part of our letter-writing unit,” teacher Bethany Stead said. “The students are learning the revision process by writing a rough draft and a final draft, and what each of the parts of a letter are, like the salutation sentence and the closing, and they’re learning how to share personal details about themselves.”
Despite the hard work, Grace said the project made her happy.
“I feel good about writing to them,” she said.
Stead’s third-grade class spent part of their morning Dec. 11 revising their letters to the soldiers, ensuring they’d arrive in time for the holidays.
“We’re writing letters for the soldiers,” said Evan Ritchie, looking down at his letter.
“They’re in Iraq, which is sad,” added Katarina Peatross.
“But we’re tying to make them feel better about missing the holidays and their families by writing to them and thanking them,” Ben Hagen said.
Principal Tera Coyle said she’s been impressed that her students have taken the project to heart and have worked hard to express their gratitude to the soldiers who won’t be able to come home for the holidays.
“The soldiers do so much for us on a regular basis, and without a thank you for the work that they do on a daily basis,” Coyle said. “It also makes our kids more aware of what is outside our plateau box.”
Reach Reporter Chantelle Lusebrink at 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.issaquahpress.com.
The letters
Dear Soldier,
Hi happy holiday and thank you for fighting for America. My name is Baillie and I’m 8. Merry Christmas.
Guess what my favorite thing to do on Christmas is? Play in the snow. Once again, thank you so much for fighting for America on the holidays. Merry Christmas!
P.S. be careful out there.
Sincerely,
Baillie
Dear Soldier,
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for fighting for us. I hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas.
If your families seem far away remember that they are always in your heart. Christmas will be merry for you if you believe in winning.
Thank you for fighting for America and remember, we always know you can make a difference.
Good luck,
Smrithi Sudip
Dear soldier,
Thank you for fighting in the war and I’m sorry you’ll miss the holidays. I’m thankful that you would risk your life just to help America.
I know you’re brave just by hearing about you. I think you are really brave and great because you would risk something that big, your life.
I hope you make it in the war so you get to see your family again and get to continue your great life. You don’t deserve to miss all the holidays. Once again, thank you.
From,
Ben Hagen
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
