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Students offer thanks to soldiers serving overseas
He will have his first Thanksgiving meal.
The 10th-grader moved to Burgettstown this year with his parents. His mother and father met while his dad was deployed in the U.S. Air Force to the Phillipines.
Daniel is sharing his story with heroes. He and about 180 other Burgettstown students are writing letters and sending cards to U.S. troops this holiday season.
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"I think it's a great idea," Daniel said of sending letters and cards. "The soldiers have been away from their families. You can remind them of what home is like."
World history teacher Kathie Ankley said she has students include information about their lives so the teens appreciate what they have because the United States has a volunteer army.
"It's important that you are thankful to the people that are defending our freedom," she said.
Students who have family in the military did not write letters directly to them during Ankley's class. Instead, she asked students to bring in addresses of those they know who are deployed in the nation's armed forces. All students in her classes and some in other social studies classes wrote letters addressed "Dear Hero."
Ankley mailed the cards this week so the soldiers will have them before Christmas. The letters will go to students' family members and other members of their units. She started the letter-writing campaign almost 20 years ago.
"It think it's nice because they do a lot for us," said sophomore Jenna Caporosso. "The least we can do is send them a card."
Each student wrote at least three cards. Some, like 10th-grader Shannon Barnett, wrote more.
"They deserve to have something for Christmas," she said.
Jakob Card's father has served overseas in the military police. The sophomore said his dad has talked to him about some of his overseas experiences.
It's one of the reasons Jakob likes writing to soldiers.
"It gives them something to think about other than war," he said.
Tenth-grader Brittnae Boni said before she took Ankley's class, she didn't have any idea what soldiers go through when they are deployed and how much they give up.
"There's a million (thank yous) in my letter," she said. "I appreciate what they do."
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Wonderful idea : 11/26/2009
It is wonderful to see someone greating the children involved in this. This is not only teaching the kids the things the soliders give up when they are deployed but also shows the soldiers that people are supporting them.
Glad to see the appreciation : 12/1/2009
I have a son and a brother that are in the service my brother has been deployed twice and I know that just a handwritten letter will bring comfort and mean a lot to them.
Great Idea : 12/4/2009
Reading this idea brings tears to my eyes. As my brother served and I know how much they give up. Keep up the great work.
