December 15, 2011
My students and I often explore the concepts of patriotism, our national symbols, and the price of freedom. During the 2011 Christmas season, we began a discussion of the sacrifice that military personnel make in defense of our country. Subsequently, my amazing 3rd graders wrote notes of encouragement to our troops. Their letters were sent to our heroes who are serving on military bases abroad. These are their heart-felt expressions. How patriotic!
Dear Soldier,
What do you want for Christmas? What I want for Christmas is love from my family. If you had a Christmas party, how will you feel about it? I could tell you how I feel when we are having a Christmas party. I feel proud about my family because Christmas is about giving presents to your child. When you celebrate Christmas, please send a letter about how you like Christmas. Have a very nice Christmas soldier! Merry Christmas! On Memorial Day, we celebrate about the soldiers who died in the war.
Sincerely, Beisy
P.S. Have a great Christmas with your family.
Dear Soldier,Thank you for helping us to be free and for letting us go to school. You are brave! I thank you for all the things that you do for us. Also, thank you for protecting us and sacrificing for us. I am happy to wish you a very Merry Christmas.
From,
Camila
Dear SoldierIt would be nice to meet you. This is my letter to you. I love your bravery. Also, have a Merry Christmas.
Your friend,
Christopher
Dear Soldier,
Thank you for keeping us alive and safe. I owe you one! Also, thank you for letting us go to school so we can learn. You give us freedom, keep us alive, and give us hope to be safe everyday. Be careful so you can come home safely to your family. Thank you for sacrificing your life. You’re amazing!
From,
David
Dear Soldier,
I would like to thank you for all your hard work to protect our country against other countries that want to hurt us. We want our freedom! People say, “We want our freedom.” It means exactly that, we want our freedom. My dad used to be a soldier and he told me that he was a guard. Five days later, he showed me his uniform and said that when he was a guard he also fought in the war. I love that I am the son of a soldier!
Your Friend,
Dennis
Dear Soldier,Thank you for helping our community by fighting against bad things in our lives. Please tell me if you are all right because I’m the kind of person that gets muddy and damaged. Please be safe.
Sincerely,
E’Moni
Dear Soldier,My name is Gabrielle. I am so proud of you because you worked so hard for this nation. I can’t wait until Christmas that you will receive lots of love, peace and enjoyment from your family. Thank you for volunteering. I hope you have a good day!
Sincerely,
Gabrielle
Dear Soldier,I really hope you have a nice Christmas. I know I will! You should have a good time fighting a battle. I really want you to go home for Christmas. I don’t know why all the troops don’t go home for Christmas. By the Way, I’m eight now. When I grow up, I am going to be a soldier. So, go fight the battle soldier!
Love,
Iz'Jahmier
Dear Soldier,Hello. I’m Leyla. I am eight years old. If you are from the Navy, then I would be happy. How did you become a soldier? Maybe I would like to be a soldier one day. What do you actually do? My godfather is in the Navy. So, that’s why I would be so happy. If I got to actually see you in action, then I would feel like I’m in an action movie. Do you hunt in the woods? I hope you will be safe while you fight.
From,
Leyla
Dear Soldier,Thank you for fighting for freedom. I hope that you’re not hurt. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
From,
Michelle
Dear Soldier,Thank you for fighting for our country and protecting us so that our country is safe. You really make a difference. Because of you, I have many rights like going to school. Thank you for sacrificing your time from your family. Have a happy holiday.
From,
Nasir
Dear Soldier,Hi! My name is Nine. I go to school in Paterson, NJ. I hope everything is going good with you. I think being a soldier is brave. I hope no civilians got hurt. When you go into war, I think that the soldiers go in school for a long time. The soldiers need to survive the bombs. I think being a soldier is cool! Being a Marine is also cool. During war, I think the ground collapses because of the bombs. I think the soldiers are delicate and curious. I hope that soldiers survived the war. I am proud of all of you! Can you tell that I used my vocabulary words in my letter?
Love, Nine
Dear Soldier,I was wondering. What is it like to work like a soldier? Is it hard work? Do you like it? I hope you do.
Your friend,
Omariah
Dear Soldier,Thank you for being so brave and serving our country. Everytime I go to church, I pray for everything to get better. Thank you for defending our country. You are my hero!
From,
Riana
Dear Soldier,How are you? My name is Sandra. I am a student at School 12. How does it feel being a soldier? My dad was a soldier like you.
Now that the holidays are coming up, what do you do? When you are away, do you miss your family? You should be proud of yourself for serving our country. Merry Christmas!
Your Friend,
Sandra
Dear Soldier,Thank you for fighting for our country. When I see soldiers, I cry. Thank you for sacrificing your life so I can have rights like going to school to learn. I hope Santa gives you a lot of presents because you deserve them! I hope you have good days while protecting the USA. God bless you! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
From,
Sha’Asia
Dear Soldier,My name is Taheem. Thank you for protecting us from the bad guys. Do you get to see your family on Christmas? Hopefully, you will this Christmas. I wish you a great day!
Sincerely,
Taheem, Age 8
Dear Soldier,Thank you for fighting for our country. My cousin Jr. is a soldier and my other cousin Tina. I pray that the war in Afghanistan will end soon so you can all come home safely. I think you all are amazing! I love soldiers because they work hard for us. I hope you enjoyed reading this letter.
Your Friend,
Tiara