thedrifter
11-23-08, 06:49 AM
Marines visit schoolchildren who sent care packages
By Anna Chang-Yen
achang-yen@VenturaCountyStar.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thousands of miles from friends and family, in a war zone where the desert bakes in the sun and danger is constant, it's easy to get downtrodden and homesick.
Sixteen Marines from a platoon previously deployed to Iraq from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms visited an Oxnard school Friday to tell students that the letters, artwork, jokes and boxes of creature comforts they sent brightened the troops' darkest days.
"You can have a Marine having the worst day in Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Valdes. But when the boxes of goodies and letters arrive, "they light up and smile. It changes their day. It made a world of difference."
Emilie Ritchen School in Oxnard has adopted troops since September 2003.
Project becomes part of lesson plan
On Friday, the Marines were greeted as heroes, with a standing ovation, high-fives and tiny American flags waving. They posed for photos and shook hands with students.
Master Sgt. Michael Harris showed a slide show of the troops working and living in Iraq. The H and S Company is part of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, also known as the Thundering Third, which is best known for its part in taking Fallujah, Harris said.
Between missions, members of the communications platoon played basketball, lifted makeshift weights, made phone calls and sent e-mails home.
On the walls in the buildings that made up their sparse accommodations in Iraq — including a kitchen in a tent where temperatures could reach 150 degrees — hung letters and artwork that reminded the Marines of a school full of appreciative children back home. "They kind of brightened up an otherwise dirty place," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Haney. "We appreciate the support."
The Marines get a reminder that someone appreciates what they are doing, and the students learn lessons in gratitude and academics, said Linda Reimel, a second-grade teacher who spearheaded the school's efforts. "They get a sense of purpose, a sense that they are protected by some remarkable young people who are willing to leave the comfort of their homes and families, willing to risk everything to protect and defend them," Reimel said. "They have learned a hero is not the person who throws a football or makes a million-dollar movie. It's the person who is willing to risk everything to protect and defend them."
Teachers incorporate the project into lesson plans, from social studies to formal-letter writing.
Among the most popular items students send to the troops are baby wipes, personal hygiene items and combat boot socks, Reimel said.
Platoon gets holidays at home
Leaders of the platoons the school has adopted over the years tell Reimel that the letters and care packages make a difference, she said.
"They have shared that when things are truly bad for their men, they'll pull out their letters and reread them. We've had Marines tell us that they carry the letter sent to them while out on patrol. We hear from their family members and remain in contact after they return."
On Friday, the children sang songs, including "What a Wonderful World" and "Let it Be Christmas," a rendition of a performance they gave last Christmas when the platoon was in Iraq. "We wish you could all come home for Christmas and see your families," read a slide projected on the wall behind the children as they sang.
Harris thanked the students and said that this year, for only the second time in his 18-year military career, he and the rest of his platoon will indeed be spending the holidays at home.
Ellie
By Anna Chang-Yen
achang-yen@VenturaCountyStar.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thousands of miles from friends and family, in a war zone where the desert bakes in the sun and danger is constant, it's easy to get downtrodden and homesick.
Sixteen Marines from a platoon previously deployed to Iraq from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms visited an Oxnard school Friday to tell students that the letters, artwork, jokes and boxes of creature comforts they sent brightened the troops' darkest days.
"You can have a Marine having the worst day in Iraq," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Valdes. But when the boxes of goodies and letters arrive, "they light up and smile. It changes their day. It made a world of difference."
Emilie Ritchen School in Oxnard has adopted troops since September 2003.
Project becomes part of lesson plan
On Friday, the Marines were greeted as heroes, with a standing ovation, high-fives and tiny American flags waving. They posed for photos and shook hands with students.
Master Sgt. Michael Harris showed a slide show of the troops working and living in Iraq. The H and S Company is part of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines, also known as the Thundering Third, which is best known for its part in taking Fallujah, Harris said.
Between missions, members of the communications platoon played basketball, lifted makeshift weights, made phone calls and sent e-mails home.
On the walls in the buildings that made up their sparse accommodations in Iraq — including a kitchen in a tent where temperatures could reach 150 degrees — hung letters and artwork that reminded the Marines of a school full of appreciative children back home. "They kind of brightened up an otherwise dirty place," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Haney. "We appreciate the support."
The Marines get a reminder that someone appreciates what they are doing, and the students learn lessons in gratitude and academics, said Linda Reimel, a second-grade teacher who spearheaded the school's efforts. "They get a sense of purpose, a sense that they are protected by some remarkable young people who are willing to leave the comfort of their homes and families, willing to risk everything to protect and defend them," Reimel said. "They have learned a hero is not the person who throws a football or makes a million-dollar movie. It's the person who is willing to risk everything to protect and defend them."
Teachers incorporate the project into lesson plans, from social studies to formal-letter writing.
Among the most popular items students send to the troops are baby wipes, personal hygiene items and combat boot socks, Reimel said.
Platoon gets holidays at home
Leaders of the platoons the school has adopted over the years tell Reimel that the letters and care packages make a difference, she said.
"They have shared that when things are truly bad for their men, they'll pull out their letters and reread them. We've had Marines tell us that they carry the letter sent to them while out on patrol. We hear from their family members and remain in contact after they return."
On Friday, the children sang songs, including "What a Wonderful World" and "Let it Be Christmas," a rendition of a performance they gave last Christmas when the platoon was in Iraq. "We wish you could all come home for Christmas and see your families," read a slide projected on the wall behind the children as they sang.
Harris thanked the students and said that this year, for only the second time in his 18-year military career, he and the rest of his platoon will indeed be spending the holidays at home.
Ellie