By Pam Dudding, Contributing writer
As Veterans Day approached, Craig County Veterans’ hearts were warmed as they opened their mailboxes to find a touching handwritten card.
Karen Jones, the Librarian and Gifted Resource Teacher at McCleary Elementary, invited her second through fifth-grade students to participate in making cards for the local Veterans in Craig County.
“Our goal was for each Veteran in Craig County to receive a thank you card for Veterans’ Day,” Jones said. “We started with a list of 50 plus names, and after doing an ‘all call’ to round up any names we might have left out, we ended up with a list of over 100 local veterans.”
Their hopes were that each Veteran would receive their card by Veterans Day, November 11.
The students worked diligently on their cards.
Here were students’ special comments:
- “I enjoy making the cards because it feels good for the Veterans. The stuff they had to go through was horrible so it’s good to make their day with a note. Thank you to all of our veterans and God Bless.” – Sawyer (fifth grader)
- “I’m happy about Veteran’s Day. If they didn’t fight in the war for us, America wouldn’t have the freedom it does. When I made the card, I was super happy that it would actually go to a Veteran.” – Emily (third grader)
In previous years, the students made cards for all the Veterans and the active military which were placed at their seating, at the Annual Veterans and Active Military HONOR Dinner, however, the last two years with the pandemic has prevented the dinner.
As a result, Jones chose to still make the cards.
Facebook allowed many to respond publicly with these notes:
- Chip received this sweet Veteran’s Day card yesterday. It really touched his heart. So, Roger, wherever you are, please know your card is deeply appreciated! Happy Veterans Day to all Veterans! (He wrote, “Dear Veteran, Thank you for fighting in the war. You gave us our freedom. Love Roger.”
- Billy Lee shared, “I would like to thank Madalyn Rae Rose for my Veteran’s Day card.” It read, “Dear Veteran, thank you for helping us all in war. Now we’re safe because of you. Love, Madalyn.”
Others commented under these responses including,
- Karen and Mark Kessler – “We both received one, so sweet.”
- Don Charlton – “I received one also…it was very touching, thank you.”
- Doug Lucas – “I received a card from Liam who reminded me to be brave.”
- Susan Dove – “My husband got one also, he was truly surprised and touched by it.”
- Luann Gahm Freese – “My husband also received a letter. He enjoyed it so much!”
For all those Veterans who served, we say, “Thank you!”
For those whose families gave up “family life” while their loved one was away, for those whose loved one never came home or did with injuries, and for those who continue to fight battles within their hearts and minds, our “thank you’s” don’t seem enough, but know that you are loved, and your sacrifice is greatly appreciated.
Jones is also working on making her list more complete, therefore, if you know of someone who did not receive a card, please contact her at the school with the information.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to show a little appreciation for our local veterans,” she said before adding, “They have sacrificed so much for their country, and their service deserves recognition, not just on Veterans’ Day, but every day. We all should do whatever we can to encourage and support these brave men and women.”
