Students send praise to servicemen, women
As a service project for Columbia County 4-H, Riverside Middle School sixth-graders Marjorie Floyd, Kay Lilly and Savanna Lyles collected more than 500 letters from students at Riverside middle and elementary schools and Warren Road Elementary. The letters will be sent to servicemen and women; some of the letters will be accompanied by artwork, or by red, white and blue friendship bracelets braided by the students. This is a sampling of some of those letters and artwork:
Dear Armed Forces Member:
I like to draw and read. I live in Georgia. Im in fourth grade. Thank you for protecting and serving our country.
Joey Costa
Dear Military Person:
I want to thank you for the brave job you are doing. Thank you for helping keep us safe. I know it must be scary and you miss your family. But I hope this letter helps you feel better. I appreciate the work you are doing.
Leslie Crandall
Dear Hero:
Thank you for fighting against the terrorists who destroyed our nation. All the people who lost family or friends will feel better because of you. I know you miss your family and friends a lot. I hope you get home soon. Please dont get hurt.
Jonathan Lilly
Dear Armed Forces Member:
I live in Evans, Georgia. My school is Riverside Elemen-tary School. Im in the fourth grade and Im 9 years old. Im glad youre trying to help our country. You have a lot of courage.
Brian Fulford Hodges
Dear American Hero:
Thank you very much for protecting our nation. I know you left all of your loved ones and your everyday life, and I appreciate it. Your spirit is with the spirit of all of America.
Here in Augusta, Ga., a lot of things are happening. Almost every organization is raising money to help you and the people in New York. Our school sent $1,182.69 to New York. My dad is in the Army, but he is in a job right now where he doesnt have to go. Thank you again for helping us all.
Please remember our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Victoria Tate
Dominic Tredo
Dear American Hero:
Thank you so much for helping to save lives. I appreciate everything you have done. We have been helping out at my school. I did a lemonade stand and earned $153.69. I have been sad since the tragedy. I watch the news every morning. We talk about it at school sometimes. We draw pictures of the American flag. We say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, sometimes I do it in sign language. I try to wear red, white, and blue every day. Our fifth grade at my school made a human American Flag. My family put an American flag on our front door. My neighborhood does things to help earn money. I wish I could help more. ... Thank you for everything.
Cydney Campbell
Dear American Hero:
Thank you for serving our country. On Sept. 11, my class was so afraid. On the playground that day everybody was talking about it. All of the teachers were very upset. I feel very scared. ...
I think that you are so brave to be looking for the missing people. I watch the news every night and see people crying because their family or friends have died. It is very sad. I also see a lot of American citizens looking for their lost loved ones. That night we had a big ceremony at my church. Whoever did this must have hated us because they almost broke our country apart. I really appreciate what you have done for our country. I think that you are so brave.
Emily Floyd