Elementary Kids Write Letters To Sailors In At Boot Camp

January 16, 2018

Beulah Elementary teacher Allison Rhodes’ fourth grade students recently wrote letters to sailors at Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL.

The letters were passed to Capt. Kertreck Brooks, Commanding Officer of the Naval Education and Training and Professional Development Center (NETPDC) to ensure they get into the right hands.

Capt Brooks recently visited the class to thank them and took some time to explain just how special those letters are. He served as the Executive Officer of Great Lakes so he was able to share that when the new sailors arrive they get to make one phone call home and then their belongings, including their cell phones, are boxed up and mailed home. They then communicate with families the old fashioned way – with letters.

That makes mail call a special event.

He told the young writers that their letters will be shared with all 80 members of a boot camp unit. The students shared with him that they thought the sailors might need words of encouragement – and a laugh.

Each student included their favorite joke in their letter while they also learned how to format a letter and how to empathize with young adults away from home. The captain also answered questions about his time in the Navy.

Comments

2 Responses to “Elementary Kids Write Letters To Sailors In At Boot Camp”

  1. A on January 17th, 2018 7:00 pm

    What a great way to teach appreciation for our heroes, especially when Americans aren’t usually able to see military in action and we tend to become desensitized without the notion right in our faces. Well done. Kids are the best and their protection is the most important. Thanks to the heroes, also.

  2. anne 1of2 on January 16th, 2018 12:45 pm

    This is so wonderful I want to cry! Those letters will be kept forever!

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