Elementary students reach out to North Dakota Guardsmen

By Spc. Chris Erickson
North Dakota National Guard

(2/11/10) - Christian Gardner, a third grader at Washburn Elementary School, misses his uncle.

The North Dakota Army National Guard Soldier, Spc. A.J. Richards, is serving a yearlong deployment to Kosovo with the Kosovo Force (KFOR) 12’s Multi -National Battle Group-East.

But long distances haven’t kept the two from catching up. Christian hears from his uncle regularly, and so does his entire third grade class.

Richards is just one of many Washburn-natives, who have gone off to serve their country, and he has an entire school behind him.

“I still wish he was here though,” Gardner said.

Holly Becker, principal at Washburn Elementary, proposed the idea of having her students correspond with military members from Washburn earlier this year. Both students and teachers alike have reacted enthusiastically.

Visitors can observe this by walking the school’s halls and seeing the photos of service members hung on classroom doors in addition to a variety of patriotic artwork designed and created by the students.

“It’s been good,” Becker said. “The kids have been excited.”

Each classroom, from kindergarten through the sixth grade, have “adopted” service members to send letters and packages to, including members of the N.D. National Guard’s KFOR 12 and 2-285th Aviation Company in Iraq, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps.

Tracy Jaeger’s first grade class routinely sends gifts and words of encouragement to their sponsored service members, including U.S. Air Force pilot, Zac Miller, who is stationed stateside in Abilene, Texas.

At Christmas, the children sent cards and care packages to the Airman along with a photo of the class standing next to the words “Merry Christmas” etched into the snow outside their school. In return, the children have been receiving photos from their military pen pal and see some of the far-off locations he has been to. Jaeger tries to incorporate the photos and letters into her lesson plans. Miller, who will spend some time in Iraq, plans on sending the first graders photos of the desert in Iraq, which they will examine during their social studies class.

“Hopefully, it bridges the gap for them,” she said. “For my kids, it’s kind of abstract because it’s (Iraq) so far away. But they (the students) think it’s well worth it.”

Becker said the service members have been staying in touch with the classrooms in a variety of ways, including the use of internet applications like Facebook and Skype.

“My hope is this will continue on. Hopefully, the Soldiers will come back and visit the classrooms,” she said.

Richards made good on this request recently when he visited his nephew Christian’s third grade class. Christian said it’s good to hear about the way his uncle is helping kids in Kosovo.

Family members always ask Richards if there is anything he needs overseas. The Guardsman continually makes request for items he can give the children of Kosovo.

“I think it’s cool,” Gardner said.

He’s also pleased to learn that his uncle will soon be promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Suzanne Richards, Richards’ mother, is thankful to the small town of Washburn, as a whole, for its attitude towards its service members.

“It brings tears to my eyes,” she said. “It’s amazing to me to live in such a tight-knit community and to see the support they give.”