Students send support to troops via e-mail

Thursday, April 24, 2003 | 9:58 a.m.

Soldiers serving in the war against Iraq will be getting encouragement this week from an unlikely source -- fifth graders at J.T. McWilliams Elementary School. The children spent Wednesday composing e-mail messages that will be sent to members of the armed forces.

"I just wanted to thank you for going to Iraq and protecting our country," wrote one student.

A half-dozen laptops were brought to the school for students to compose their messages. The project was the brainstorm of Mike Marriot and Michael Beardslee, executive officers at IT Strategies in Las Vegas. McWilliams was chosen because the company's employees have volunteered at the high-risk school in the past, Marriot said.

"We were trying to think of ways to merge learning about technology with their classroom activities," Marriot said. "Showing support for our troops seemed like an ideal way of doing that."

In her letter fifth grader Cassie Warholak asked whether the MREs --meals ready to eat -- were tasty. She also wanted to know if the soldiers missed their families.

"I hope they write back," Warholak said. "I want to know something about them."

But Stanley Moore, also a fifth grader, said he wouldn't mind if he didn't hear back.

"We're writing to make them feel happy that someone noticed them," Moore said. "Like when I get a letter in the mailbox at my house."

Matthew Fuller, public affairs officer for Nellis Air Force Base, was on hand at Marriot's invitation to answer any questions the children had about the war.

"It's important that kids understand the role our military plays and that they can show a sense of patriotism, even when they're young," Fuller said.

Mayri Herbet, a consultant at IT Strategies and Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, said she remembers looking forward to mail call.

"You just hoped and hoped you'd hear your name," said Herbet, whose son is in the Army's psychological operations unit serving overseas. "I'm sure these e-mails will be the highlight of someone's day."

The e-mails will be sent through Operation Dear Abby, a nationwide letter-writing campaign sponsored by the syndicated advice columnist. IT Strategies has set up a special e-mail account for the soldiers to reply to the students.