Home»Students sending Valentine's wishes to the troops

Students sending Valentine's wishes to the troops

Page Last Updated: Monday January 25, 2010 7:05am PST

Anita Roman reporting

As of November 30, 2009, a total of 115,000 U.S. troops have been deployed to Iraq.

Although the fight overseas for these men and woman continues to be a difficult one, a local group of elementary school students is taking a lesson in humanity by helping our soldiers to get through the war in a very heartfelt way.

They are some of the most genuine words spoken directly from the heart, written to the men and women who are serving our country and protecting our freedoms.

“Dear soldiers, I hope you have an awesome Valentine's…”

“I thank you for fighting for us…”

“I just wanted to say happy Valentine’s Day…”

When the Blue Star Mothers of Henderson approached the staff at Gordon McCaw Elementary School about writing valentines to our troops, the entire school signed up for the project.

“I think they should get a little appreciation because they really work hard,” says 10-year-old Kendrianna Arnold. “I think that because of them we are safe.”

Principal Jackie Walker says it’s more than just a lesson in history.

“I think it's important that all of our kids learn to give back and to care about people that they don't even know. One of the character traits that we work on in school is empathy and compassion. And caring about other people starts with something as simple as a card.”

A recent visit from these very soldiers made the cards – and the war – even more real and memorable for the kids.

“It’s important,” says Sgt. First Class Frederick Ammons, Army National Guard. “It lets us know that people back here in the States are still looking for us to come home, want us to be safe. It makes us work even harder.”

The McCaw Elementary's goal is to send at least 2,000 valentine cards to the soldiers serving overseas. Students and staff have made as many as 750 cards as of Friday afternoon.

Blue Star Mom Chere Pederson says this is the second year the non-profit organization has launched “Operation From Our Heart to Yours.” She says they do it because the troops love to receive packages from home, especially letters from kids.

Blue Star Moms will send a package to any soldier with an address. For more information, you can contact them at bluestarmomsnv@yahoo.com.

View News Archive »