Wednesday, February 20, 2002
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Wednesday, February 20, 2002 |
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Students' letters brighten sailors' days Simple words of encouragement from students at J.C. Booth Middle School have turned into powerful messages for some men and women who are protecting America's freedom. When sixth grade students in Claire McLean's social studies class told her that they wanted to write letters to military personnel to let them know that there are people outside of their families who care and are proud of them, she immediately took action. Due to Anthrax scares across the country, military units are no longer accepting letters from groups unless someone within the unit has a personal connection to the group. McLean remembered a former student, Andrew Roy, who attended Booth and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1997. In 2001, Roy graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and is currently serving as a first lieutenant aboard the USS Paul Hamilton, a destroyer ship stationed in Pearl Harbor that is part of the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group. "He wasn't one of my students, he was just one of those kids that everyone knew. He is a great example of the quality of students that graduate from our system," said McLean. Through his mother, McLean was able to contact Roy to see if he could secure permission for her students to write letters to the men and women, about 30 deck sailors, he is in charge of aboard the ship. As soon as permission was received, the students started composing their letters. "This project was important to me because it might bring a smile to someone's face and make them happy. I wrote about how much I look up to all of the sailors and how thankful I am to them," said Katie MacGillivary. MacGillivary's classmate Erin McGuffey said she understands that many of the sailors are away from home for the first time and that they could use an extra friend. "These letters will let them know that they have friends out there who support them and care about what they are doing." In addition to composing their letters the students painstakingly decorated each one in a patriotic theme. Students also attached to the letters a strip from their Two Feet for America project where they collected two-feet-long strips of patriotic material and tied them in a chain as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks Sept. 11. Each strip stands for one life lost as well as the two feet the students will stand on to fight terrorism. "Through our letters, these soldiers are going to know that they have friends out there who are watching out for them and care about what they are fighting for. They will know that we are behind them all of the way," said Elyse Chubb. The USS Paul Hamilton is scheduled to be deployed later this year and has recently been on a pre-deployment exercise in the Pacific. Approximately 70 letters will be sent to the sailors.
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