From the Senator's Desk . . .
May 22, 2008
Early this year, an experienced veteran let me know that the best things in a solder's life are a hot meal and a letter from home. So, this week, we delivered 1,700 letters from El Paso school children to Texas soldiers through the Texas National Guard "Letters from Home" project.
Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org
"Letters from Home"
Early this year, an experienced veteran let me know that the best things in a solder's life are a hot meal and a letter from home. As we enjoy dinner with our family, a game of baseball with our kids and time with our friends, thousands of Texas soldiers are making a sacrifice for all of us.
It's important that all of us give thanks for the soldiers who serve our country. We need to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifice. So, this week, we delivered 1,700 letters from El Paso school children to Texas soldiers through the Texas National Guard Letters from Home project.
Elementary school students from Canutillo, Socorro, Ysleta, Clint and El Paso school districts participated in the letter-writing campaign. The letters will be sorted and distributed to National Guard armories throughout Texas.
"The Pen Pal Writing Project, initiated for the first time by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, was a total success. For me personally, the experience was a wonderful one," said Christina Barrientos, a fourth grade bilingual education teacher at Escontrias Early Childhood Center.
"It was a real honor to participate in writing to these heroes who put their lives on the line everyday for us. We want our troops to know that we fully support their effort and that they are constantly in our prayers."
Eddie, a fourth grader at Putnam Elementary School, wrote in his letter, "I want to thank you for fighting the war for us." He closed his letter with a wish: "Hopefully you will get home soon. God bless America, land of the free and the brave."
"The real neat thing about the program was that the students were able to express how they felt about the soldier’s work," added Barrientos. "It was a time to reflect on the great freedom and privileged rights we have because of them. The project was wonderfully planned and we hope to have this opportunity again next year."
If you would like to thank a veteran, the American Legion has e-cards that can be sent by clicking here.
This year's project was a great success and we'll make it an even greater success next year!
Eliot Shapleigh
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