In Michigan, a group of fourth graders is learning important lessons on reading and writing. Since December, they have been exchanging handwritten letters with veteran pen pals and finally got the chance to meet them.Before Christmas break, the fourth graders at Coloma Intermediate School wrote the first several handwritten letters to an assigned pen pal. These pen pals are either active-duty military, in the reserves, or retired veterans.This program is called Operation Save, and it encourages students and veterans through writing. It was started three years ago by Coloma Intermediate fourth grade teacher Valerie Krieger as a way to thank veterans on Veteran’s Day.”It started off with 58 veterans, and I had a classroom and a half that were participating. And then we had a small meet and greet then. The next year we had a few more veterans sign up by word of mouth,” Valerie Krieger said.Near the end of the school year, the students and pen pals meet and have lunch together, sharing the memories of what they wrote. “I don’t have any more room on my refrigerator between these two. I’ve got all the letters on there. It’s on all three sides. I’m going to pull the refrigerator away from the wall and start putting them on the back,” retired Master Sergeant Pete Petruk said.Reading and writing are critical skills for students to learn and Operation Save gives these lessons a personal touch, and lessons they will carry through life.”They’ve learned how to write letters. They’ve learned how to address their letters and send them themselves. They’ve learned etiquette. They’ve learned how to write proper thank you cards,” Krieger said.Many of the students hope these friendships they have built will last even after the school year ends.
In Michigan, a group of fourth graders is learning important lessons on reading and writing.
Since December, they have been exchanging handwritten letters with veteran pen pals and finally got the chance to meet them.
Before Christmas break, the fourth graders at Coloma Intermediate School wrote the first several handwritten letters to an assigned pen pal. These pen pals are either active-duty military, in the reserves, or retired veterans.
This program is called Operation Save, and it encourages students and veterans through writing. It was started three years ago by Coloma Intermediate fourth grade teacher Valerie Krieger as a way to thank veterans on Veteran’s Day.
“It started off with 58 veterans, and I had a classroom and a half that were participating. And then we had a small meet and greet then. The next year we had a few more veterans sign up by word of mouth,” Valerie Krieger said.
Near the end of the school year, the students and pen pals meet and have lunch together, sharing the memories of what they wrote.
“I don’t have any more room on my refrigerator between these two. I’ve got all the letters on there. It’s on all three sides. I’m going to pull the refrigerator away from the wall and start putting them on the back,” retired Master Sergeant Pete Petruk said.
Reading and writing are critical skills for students to learn and Operation Save gives these lessons a personal touch, and lessons they will carry through life.
“They’ve learned how to write letters. They’ve learned how to address their letters and send them themselves. They’ve learned etiquette. They’ve learned how to write proper thank you cards,” Krieger said.
Many of the students hope these friendships they have built will last even after the school year ends.
