GILROY
– First-graders at Luigi Aprea Elementary School might be just
learning how to read and write, but their inspirational letters
reached the front lines in Iraq and touched the hearts of soldiers
fighting for our country.
GILROY – First-graders at Luigi Aprea Elementary School might be just learning how to read and write, but their inspirational letters reached the front lines in Iraq and touched the hearts of soldiers fighting for our country.
A few months ago Joyce Kludt’s class of first-graders compiled a book of personal letters and sent it to 21-year-old Mike Galvin, a senior airman serving in the Air Force and stationed in Korea and Afghanistan.
Each student wrote his or her own letter asking Galvin questions about his job, his hobbies and his favorite football team. The students drew pictures of planes with “I love USA” written on them, while one letter called Galvin a hero. Kludt laminated them together and attached a note thanking Galvin for his part in protecting and serving the country during this important time in history.
“This is a pretty touching thing,” Galvin said. “It gave me a reason for being over there and in the military.”
Galvin arrived back in the United States a week ago after being gone for more than a year. Galvin’s duty was to control air traffic in Korea, Masirah Oman and Pakistan. He says he received the book sent in a care package from his fiancée, Leslie Bentson.
“He was so homesick, and I knew he would love getting the book from the children,” Bentson said.
He sure did. In fact, he loved it so much he started sending it to other soldiers he knew stationed in Masirah Oman, Afghanistan and Basra, Iraq.
“When my buddy Scott stationed on the front lines in Basra got the book, he told me it was one of the coolest things he had ever seen,” Galvin said.
Galvin’s experience with the kids did not end when he received the book, and last Thursday he was asked to visit Kludt’s class to meet the children and share some of his experiences with them.
As Galvin sat in a tiny plastic chair, towering over the 6- and 7-year-olds, Kludt asked her class why this man was important to them.
Six-year old Jacob Deliz shouted out, “Because he saved our country.”
“Everyone should instill this type of patriotism in their children,” Galvin said. “They are our future and the reason we are fighting.”
As the children sat staring up at Galvin, they had many questions for him. They wanted to know how big a radarscope and bazooka are. Other students asked personal questions about being away from home and if he missed his family.
“I wrote him my letter so he would be happy and not be so homesick,” 7-year-old Erica Noboa said.
“I am so proud of these kids,” said Karen Jenkins, a mother of one of the first-graders. “This is a part of history, and it is great that their thoughts have made a difference.”
Earlier in the week, Kludt’s class had a parents’ night that Galvin also was invited to attend. He says he became emotional when the children got up and sang a song with a verse talking about sharing peace and love in every language.
“It is great to be back to see these kids and be recognized like this,” Galvin said.
“I think it was a great idea for the kids to meet Mike,” said Jeff Rickel, a father of one of the first-graders. “It brought a reality to what they were doing and what has been going on the world.”
As the school day drew to an end Galvin got ready to leave, but the students were not ready to see him go. They began forming a line with their autograph books and each of them wanted Galvin to write something for them.
He gladly signed each of them.
“There are things about the war I want to forget but will always remember,” Galvin said. “The book and these kids I know I will always remember and never want to forget.”
