Marines visit letter-writing students

YUCCA VALLEY — Two Marines visited La Contenta Middle School recently to talk with students who wrote letters to Marines and soldiers deployed to combat zones.

Wearing formal dress blues, Sgt. Christopher Apodaca and Sgt. John Finch received the students’ letters from teacher Donald Henry and thanked the students for their contributions.

Apodaca and Finch stayed for a full period to speak with a classroom of social studies students, answering their questions.

Looking through his students’ letters, Henry said eighth-grader Candelario Alcaraz sent his best wishes for Americans in Iraq to have a safe return and wrote how proud he is of their service.

Christopher Wilkinson mentioned in his letter that deployed Marines represent all Americans’ freedom. Joshua Lessard gave thanks for the Marines protecting the United States of America. Mariah Cooper counted those serving in Iraq as her personal heroes.

Chaylin Couzens told the Marines they are the most courageous people in the world, while Krysten Williamson thanked the troops for their hard work and wished them happiness and strength.

Ellie