Jackson-Milton pupils accept flag from military pen pals

The youngsters also are
preparing to brighten the
soldiers’ Easter holiday.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Jackson Milton Students Receive Flag

Video

Jackson Milton Students Receive flag from troops in Iraq.

NORTH JACKSON — Last November during Veterans Day, Robbie Butler and his kindergarten class discussed the contributions of military personnel to the nation, which caused him to bring up the subject of the war in Iraq.

After revealing that he has an uncle in the Air Force reserves, the 6-year-old Jackson-Milton Elementary School pupil and many of his classmates felt bad that the troops wouldn’t be with their families for the holidays.

From there, the idea to write and send cards to some soldiers was born.

“I thanked a soldier for protecting our country,” Robbie said during Monday’s flag dedication ceremony at the school, 14110 Mahoning Ave. “I wish the soldiers were home.”

It didn’t take long for the recipients to show their appreciation regarding the youngsters’ acts. The cards and letters found their way to Capt. Michael D. Knight, who distributed them to his fellow soldiers.

To honor the pupils, the military personnel hung a flag in their patrol squadron aircraft and, as part of a Jan. 21 mission, flew it over an air base near Baghdad. Afterward, the flag and a certificate were sent and given to the school.

Thanks to Sierra Huff’s efforts, a soldier learned that she was praying for his safety. After sending the card, the serviceman replied with gratitude, said Sierra, a third-grader.

In her letter, 7-year-old Haley Lengyel, who came with her mother, Sheri, expressed gratitude to a troop member for protecting the country. She also implored him to be safe in Iraq, she said.

“If I met a soldier, I would tell him to be careful and thank the soldier for fighting for us,” the second-grader added.

Also part of the letter-writing effort was Jemma Justice, 6, who sent a card overseas with a thank-you note attached. She attended the event with her mother, Michelle.

A few hundred pupils, parents, teachers and others filled the gym for the program, conducted by seven members of the American Legion Post 737 of North Jackson. During the ceremony, the flag was folded several times and presented to Sue Prozy and her kindergarten class.

Prozy said what became a class project soon blossomed into a school effort after she enlisted the help of her fellow kindergarten teachers, Kelly Williams and Corinne Tomaino, as well as Dianne Householder, an art teacher.

Before long, pupils in several other grades were on board, Prozy said, adding that she recently received an e-mail showing several soldiers looking at the cards.

The teacher also explained a more personal reason for undertaking the project.

“My father was in the Army, so I appreciate all that [service personnel] do, and I want to make sure the students understand the importance of their commitment and what they do for us every day,” Prozy said.

The pupils have collected and are preparing to send coffee, candy, cards and other items to troops in Iraq as part of an Easter surprise, she added.

Also part of the program was Rick Smith Jr., a Cleveland-based magician who provided the evening’s entertainment.