Fourth grade students receive letters from service personnel
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
Alex Cain is in the fourth grade at Marion Elementary School. In the days leading up to Sept 11, she and her classmates wrote letters and collected personal items to send to soldiers in the United States Armed Forces.
Following is the handwritten response she received:
Hi, Alexis,
My name is Richard Cortes. I have been in the AF four five years. I am station at MacDill Air Force Base Florida. Thanks for thinking about the military soldiers that fight to keep US in the good shape that it is today. The reason that I serve in the military is because I like the Bald eagle to fly free for the rest of his life. It's all about freedom for our country.
My nationality is Puertorican. I have being living in America since I came in the military. It's being a plessure for me to serve in the United States Air Force.
Alexis, I sincerely appreciate from you writing to all of the soldiers. These was really nice from you. Say hi to your parents and tell them that I wish everybody to have a nice Holiday Season.
Take care Alexis. Thanks.
From your friend:
Richard Cortes
Southwest Asia
In their letters, students told the soldiers about themselves — grade, age, favorite things — and expressed hope that they weren't missing home too much. They also expressed appreciation for what the men and women are doing and asked them to please write back and tell them about themselves. Each student drew a picture at the end of the letter.
Jordan Versch wrote to his brother Jesse Versch who is stationed on a ship. He is awaiting a reply.
In addition to Alex, six children received responses. Michael Kirkpatrick received a letter from his cousin Mark who is stationed in Germany.
"Of course, the children who didn't receive responses were disappointed," their teacher Laura Baldwin said. "I told them it was like winning the lottery, and I reminded them of the purpose for sending the letters."
"We wanted to cheer them up," one student said.
"We wanted to encourage them," another reminded everyone.
"We wanted to let them know that people back home know what they are doing," concluded another.
Their purpose was undoubtedly accomplished as reflected in the response Zach Robinson received from a serviceman in Germany:
Dear Zach,
My name is Mark Raleigh and I am currently stationed in Mannheim Germany. I am a Military Policeman. I have received your letter, and it was good of you to write a soldier and let them know that you like us. We do our best to write all of the kids back but sometimes it gets really busy.
That is why it has taken me so long to write you back. I have been really busy and working really hard. You guys in school make us happy though when we receive letters and things from school kids because it makes us realize that we have a good job and an important one and that is keep everyone safe around the world.
I had a great Halloween but didn't get to dress up this year as I had to work keep all the kids safe around the Army Base this year. Maybe next year I will get to though. I hope you had fun being a football player and got a lot of good candy.
I would also like to wish you a very happy belated birthday. Take Care and thank you again for the letter.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Raleigh
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Military Police Corp
