Governor Riley Promotes Effort to Send Troops Book of Thanks from Alabama Children
Governor Riley Promotes Effort to Send Troops Book of Thanks from Alabama Children
Alabama troops deployed overseas will be receiving a book containing letters of thanks and patriotic artwork from Alabama school children through a new effort announced today by Governor Bob Riley.
The book, God Bless Y'all All: Letters to Soldiers from the Children of Alabama, will be sent to our military personnel thanks to a partnership between Operation Grateful Heart and the Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars.
"This book will serve as a great encouragement to our men and women in uniform as they bravely defend our nation," Governor Riley said. "By reading these letters and looking at the drawings, our soldiers will be reminded that their sacrifices today will help our children and the children of other nations live in freedom tomorrow."
Operation Grateful Heart is an initiative launched by Governor Riley last year to help organize public appreciation and support for Alabama troops and their families.
The book is the idea of two Lauderdale County educators, Dr. Lisa Moses and Dr. Alice Yeager. They petitioned every school system in the state to participate in a project designed to help children express themselves in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the resulting War on Terror. They received more than 3,000 letters and pieces of original artwork from Alabama students in kindergarten through 12th grade and compiled them into the book.
"It is our hope that the words and drawings within this collection will serve as a constant reminder that our children love freedom, they love our country, and they love the servicemen and women who so bravely fight to protect the way of life that we cherish," the educators wrote in the book's introduction.
The letters, some serious and some humorous, appear in the book exactly as they were written by children, complete with spelling and grammatical errors to preserve the integrity of the messages.
"When all of y'all get back I'll bet you will want to take off those uniforms," one student wrote. "I bet you will want to get home and lay down and take a very long nap."
Another student drew two pictures, one a scene from a battlefield and the other showing children on a playground, with the inscription "Because you are there, we are here."
"You make me proud to be an American. I know you are always there ready to stand up for freedom. If it were not for people like you, I would not feel safe about my freedom and rights," another student wrote in a letter published in the book.
The Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars is taking donations to purchase the books and will donate them to Operation Grateful Heart, which will oversee their packaging and mailing to Alabama service personnel overseas.
Miss Greater Dothan Stephanie Janasky, the daughter of a career soldier, has agreed to help the VFW by serving as a fundraiser.
"Projects like this are what I had in mind when I created Operation Grateful Heart last year. Through this book project we have educators, veterans, community leaders and state government all coming together to show our troops we support them and to reassure them they are in our thoughts and prayers," Governor Riley said. "I know our soldiers will be encouraged and inspired when they read the heartfelt letters written by these children - children from all corners of the state, but who are of one heart and mind in support for our troops. Children who - even at such an early age - understand the men and women who serve in our military have won for us every hour we live in freedom."
Alabamians wishing to contribute to the purchase of the books can contact the Alabama VFW in Montgomery at 334-270-8399 or send donations to the Alabama VFW Children's Book Project, 1231 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, AL 36106.
Military personnel and their families needing assistance from Operation Grateful Heart can call toll-free 866-452-4944.
http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2005-06-21-01-troops-photo.asp