A word of thanks to some great Americans from Michigan

Every once in a while you get that piece of mail that blows your mind in a good way.  While I absolutely love the cards my wife sends, not to mention her care packages, I got a fantastic surprise in the mail today from a very unexpected address.

It seems the 7^th and 8^th graders at Pathfinder School in Pinckney, Michigan, were getting some instruction on Veteran’s Day this last month and one of the culminating results was a huge envelope full of some very colorful ‘Thank You’ cards from the students.  I should mention here that my absolutely adorable cousin happens to be their teacher and she is and has always been an ardent supporter of the military.

I’d initially thought to write a private letter to the class but what strikes me is that these kids, their families and many schools and communities around Michigan have had a rough go, yet they took the time to think of Soldiers.  It’s really touching.  So I think it’s only appropriate to offer my public thanks and a few words to the students at Pathfinder School in Pinckney:

First, let me just say thank you for your cards and the kind words you shared.  It means an awful lot to me personally, but especially as a Soldier, to receive such a wonderful and genuine package of handwritten cards from all of you.  It’s uplifting to know that students in some of our schools learn about Veterans Day and understand enough about the military to know that some days can be very difficult, especially when we are away from our families.

I’m sure Mrs. Thompson has told you that we volunteer for these deployments today so that when you finish school, you won’t have to come here and be away from your families.   I think the last thing any of us want is for our kids today to have to fight a war.  Your kind thoughts has redoubled my motivation to see this through.

I feel especially proud that all of these cards came from a school in Michigan because that’s where I grew up and called home right up until I joined the Army.  

Before I go I wanted to answer a couple of the comments that came up in your cards:

Alyssa, I think it’s great that you and your family adopt a veteran for the holidays.  I’m sure it means a lot to them to be able to spend the holidays with a nice family.

Tyler, the work here can be very hard sometimes.  Some of our Soldiers work very long hours and some have very dangerous jobs.  The important thing to remember is that we’re trying to help the Afghan people secure their country so terrorists can never use it as a base and attack our country like they did in 2001.  We’re getting close to our goal but still have work to do.

Peyton, I was really honored to read your card and learn that you have family who served in Vietnam.  I’m sure you’re very proud of your grandpa, I know I’m very proud of all of our Vietnam veterans and they deserve a long overdue thanks from each of us.  Things are going okay for us and I expect to be home just after the holidays so thank you for asking.  One last note for you, keep playing hard with your hockey team but remember that no matter how good the individual player is, it takes a team to play together in order to win.  Good luck with the rest of your season---I’m a big hockey fan.

Lindsay, we get plenty of food but it’s never nearly as good as the food we get at home.  Because I work with a lot of European soldiers, we eat things that many Americans aren’t really used to but it’s good to try different things sometimes.  There are a lot of rice and pasta dishes, which I like.

Emily, your letter was very special.  I wish there was more that we could do for our fallen warriors, like your cousin.  It is sad whenever we lose a Soldier but know that we always take time out to honor those Soldiers, like your cousin, who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  It’s a debt we can never fully repay to the families who have lost someone.  You and yours are in my prayers and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your letter with me.

One of the common threads in all of the notes was what a great teacher Mrs. Thompson is and it’s clear to me that you all think a lot of her.  I would just tell you that I think not only is Mrs. Thompson a great teacher and a great American, she’s the absolute best cousin this Soldier could ever have and I have some pretty cool cousins. 

I’ll close by saying best of luck through the rest of your school year and have a wonderful holiday break.  Thank you very much for thinking of all of us who are deployed and know that your letters are a real inspiration.  You’ve made me very proud to be a Soldier from the State of Michigan.

Sincerely,

Master Sergeant Tom Clementson

ISAF Joint Command

Kabul, Afghanistan