First-graders send thanks to troops in Iraq
By Brenda Sexton
The Courier-Herald
Almost daily after the flag salute, Sunrise Elementary School first-grade teacher Diane Kitz' students talk about the freedom they have in America and how thankful they are they can wear the clothes they want, eat the food they like and have the opportunity to come to school and learn.
So when Veterans Day rolled around in November, Kitz thought it was a perfect time to elaborate on those thoughts.
After an all-school assembly where Principal Chris Beals read the moving story “The Wall” by Eve Bunting, Kitz and her class talked about the men and women who fight for freedom. The class also read a poem and discussed the meaning of each line. And they wrote letters to soldiers.
This is not the first year Kitz' students have tackled such a writing project.
“I have very thoughtful students and I think it’s important they put their feelings or questions in writing,” Kitz said. “I never really know what to expect when I ask them to write to the soldiers, but I am usually quite surprised by their insight and thoughtfulness. This year was no different.”
“Dear Soldier,” wrote one student. “Thank you for risking your lives for us. I enjoy freedom in America. You are brave. I wish that you were here. Some of you died. But you saved us. From Tori.”
“Dear Soldiers,” started another. “Thank you for helping us to have freedom. I hope you are OK. Now I hope you defeat the other Air Force. Thank you for helping us. Good thing you are brave. From Andrew.”
“Soldiers,” wrote yet another. “Thank you for everything and fighting the wars. You risked your life for us. I am saved now because you fought for me. You were really, really brave. Love. Emma.”
Kitz said many of the letters were so sincere, she wanted to share them. She bundled them up and sent them to the local Veterans of Foreign Wars organization where they arrived in the hands of District 11 Commander Elmer Holmquist, who, to Kitz' surprise, is forwarding them to United States troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Being the VFW, we are not only a Veterans organization, but a family organization,” Holmquist said. “We thought it would be nice. Some of these are really good.”
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com.