Students Reach Out To Overseas Troops

What started as a small, goodwill project at one Highlands County school has grown to a big countywide thank you Christmas gesture for U.S. soldiers stationed overseas.

Over the last few weeks, county students have handmade more than 3,000 Christmas cards.

Each card was hand prepared with pencils, markers or crayons. The Alan Jay Automotive Network is donating the cost of mailing the Christmas cards in time to reach the Middle East.

Most of the students in Dara Johnson's fourth-grade class at Woodlawn Elementary and Cheryl Thomas' second-grade class at Fred Wild Elementary agreed on Friday that if stationed overseas for Christmas, they would most miss receiving gifts and spending time with family.

Fourth-grade Woodlawn student Jeannelia Oquendo-Cruz said she would most miss receiving "hugs" and she wouldn't want to wear a uniform.

Classmate Tyler Allan discussed why he supported the troops after writing on his card, "We believe in Angels.
"They're heroes because they serve our country," wrote Allan.

Organizers Donna Klemm, of the veterans committee of the Elks Club and Highlands County Veterans Council, and Joseph Wortman, of the Veterans Council, helped spark interest in the program at more than a dozen schools, eight day care centers and several churches.

"I imagine they'll keep these and not too many will get thrown away," said Wortman.

Klemm said the exercise was a great way to spread holiday cheer among the troops.

"They're going to realize that people really care about them and love them - especially since it came from kids," said Klemm.

Second-grader Rhianna Weaver wrote to a soldier she will likely never meet.

"Thank you for all you did and do ... Thank you. Tis the season to remember. You rock!"

Johnson said she hoped to instill a sense of what the troops were experiencing while overseas and their individual sacrifices.

Thomas said the most important idea she taught the students was the soldier's goal of protecting all Americans.

The students also learned why the troops were stationed far away, why there are veterans in the United States and the many reasons America has veterans.

A second-grader at Fred Wild Elementary, Destiny Brown, said she would most miss her family and receiving presents if forced to be away for the holidays.

She wrote: "Thank you soldiers for protecting us. Caring, loving us. Thank you. Merry Christmas."

Classmate Kyle Howard said he'd miss his dog "Woof" and was "glad I'm not there."

Second-grader Jackie Gaona wants to become an artist.

"They do it because they love us," she said about the troops. "We want you to be in the U.S.A."