101st Soldiers, Michigan town facilitate pen-pal program

CJTF 7 ^ | Jan. 1, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

CJTF-7 Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Release #040101a

 

101st Soldiers, Michigan town facilitate pen-pal program

MOSUL, Iraq – Traverse City, Mich., has taken an interest in the Qayyarah-Nineveh region of Iraq.

Since early September, three 3rd and 4th grade classes have started a correspondence with 4th grade Iraqi children in the village of Tulul Nasir. This pen-pal program sparked the interest of residents in Traverse City, who responded with boxes of art supplies and t-shirts for the children and mail and food for the soldiers. The pen-pal project includes seventy-one 4th grade children in Tulul Nasir and seventy-one 3rd and 4th grade children from three Michigan elementary schools, two in Traverse City and one in Grand Rapids.

The children may not be able to understand each other’s language but they can communicate through artwork. Various interpreters have helped translate sentences written by Iraqi and American children so their friends 6,500 miles away can understand them.

The teachers and children on both sides are thrilled to be a part of this project. They agree that this is a great way to develop future positive relationships and to understand each other’s cultures.

The children communicate via U.S. mail. The Michigan teachers send their mail to 1st Lt. Benjamin Boekestein, a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), who ensures that they get to the correct Iraqi children.
1st Lt. Boekestein gives the mail to Abdullah Saleh Mohammed, a former interpreter and head contractor for the American military base. Abdullah gives the mail to his sisters who teach in Tulul Nasir.

1st Lt. Boekestein’s mother was critical in generating support in Traverse City. Mrs. Boekestein was interviewed by the local television station, radio station and newspaper to explain her son’s project. After these interviews the Women’s Republican Group of Traverse City prepared a large box of art supplies to send to the Iraqi children, and the local radio station started a t-shirt drive. The radio station, WTCM with Ron Jolly, also put 1st Lt. Boekestein’s mailing address on its web page.

Numerous Traverse City listeners sent mail to 1st Lt. Boekestein and his soldiers. More than 200 shirts were brought into the radio station and sent to Iraq. Every Iraqi child in the pen-pal program was given a shirt. The remainder of the shirts got handed out during patrols and normal support and stability operations.

Alpha Company, nicknamed the Gators, covers a large area. As 2nd platoon patrols these areas, the soldiers hand out shirts to children. The soldiers enjoy handing out shirts nearly as much as the children enjoy receiving them. They desire to make a positive impact on the areas they are responsible for. The soldiers, many of whom have young children, love to see a child smile.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

MOSUL, Iraq – Traverse City, Mich., has taken an interest in the Qayyarah-Nineveh region of Iraq.

Since early September, three 3rd and 4th grade classes have started a correspondence with 4th grade Iraqi children in the village of Tulul Nasir. This pen-pal program sparked the interest of residents in Traverse City, who responded with boxes of art supplies and t-shirts for the children and mail and food for the soldiers.

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Another warm and fuzzy story from CJTF 7.

101st Airborne Division ~ with help from grateful supporters on the homefront ~ winning hearts and minds, and teaching the children.
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[Pest]

Michigan Bump

[netmilsmom]

Hey Lady, Do you know the names of the schools?
If they are charters, I would like to highlight them on our charter school website here in MI.

[McGavin999]

They need some pictures with this one. The most appealing thing about the American military is how much they love children.

[blackie]

101st Airborne Division ~ with help from grateful supporters on the homefront ~ winning hearts and minds, and teaching the children ~ Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I found one ~ a public school I think: Willow Hill Elementary, Traverse City.

Soldiers with teachers for parents are changing hearts and minds in American schools. (^:

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Sometimes the DoD follows up on a good CENTCOM/CJTF7 story, and adds pics. We'll keep watch!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Back at ya, bump!

[netmilsmom]

Thanks!
I will keep an eye out for any more. I would love it if our charters would adopt a school over there, but I had problems getting permission to have our GS do a supply drive for the troops. And we are within spitting distance from Selfridge AFB!!!!!

[blackie]

Good morning, Ragtime Cowgirl ~ Life Is Good! :)

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[VOA]

bump for publicity!

[windchime]

Bump!