11/01/04
| Kids' thank-yous offer morale boost to soldiers overseas |
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Children in Pontotoc County have been working to show their support to our troops in Iraq in a tangible way.
Barbara Baldwyn has been collecting hand-written notes and drawings from elementary school children and sending them to Operation Interdependence, where they are packed into care packages for troops in Iraq.
"I hope they will inspire people to support our effort in any way they can," Baldwyn said.
She sent me copies of a handful of the letters, but asked that I not use the children's full names.
One letter, from Kaitlin, reads: "I hope you are doing O.K. Do you know my grandfather (name omitted)? How many soldiers are there, can you tell me please? Have yall been stuck in rain?"
Another, from Edith, reads: "How is your family doing at your house? How is your grandpa and grandma doing? How the weather is over there. Don't forget to write me back. Be careful."
Edith's letter includes a simple drawing of a little girl holding a soldier's hand, with "You & Me" written above their heads.
Josh's letter reads: "I will pray for you while you're in Iraq. I am writeing this letter a 12:38 p.m. I wonder what you're doing right now. I know you miss your family. If I was in Iraq I would miss my family too. I hope you get back to America soon."
Cory's letter included some information from home: "Dear soldiers, How are you doing? I hope you're winning your battles. Try not to get injured. We thank you for helping to keep our freedom. Please come home safly. Please send us home a letter. It is very hot right now. I love to ride four wheelers, fish, and hunt. Do you? Have you heard about the huricans? They almost distroyed Florida."
Some of the letters include the children's addresses. They all close with "Your friend," or "Your pal," then their names.
Brandon's letter had an American flag drawn at the bottom and was filled with questions. Are you tired? Are you coming home for Christmas? Are you terrified when you start to fight?
Quinten said: "I hope you will win the war so they can have a free country too. Please win the war for them. Do not kill good ones. Win the war for us and for them." Colby's letter reads: "Thank you for saving our country and fighting for us. I pray for you every night I go to bed. You had to be brave to be fighting for us. Be careful and take care of yourself."