Aaron School Students Write Letters to Thank Veterans
Kelly Shaw, History and Science Teacher at 30th Street
Aaron High School students in Grades 8 through 12 celebrated and paid homage to those who served our country through participating in a special project during their history classes.
Students learned about significant historical events that led to the Vietnam War, as well as general military terminology with an emphasis on the difference between a soldier and a veteran. Students were then given the valuable opportunity to speak virtually with a veteran and with an active duty soldier. In doing so, they gained a deeper understanding of how life might be different for a soldier compared to a veteran. Students learned about the day-to-day living for soldiers on active duty, such as what they can watch on television, what they can eat and what they like to do in their spare time. Students also considered the common challenges faced by many veterans. They learned how veterans often do not have access to jobs right away after serving, and how many return home with combat injuries. Additionally, students learned how many veterans spend a long time in these centers to work on healing themselves, both physically and mentally, after being in such harsh and often traumatic conditions.
To show their gratitude, students sent handwritten and typed letters to retired military members living in veteran centers in the northeast region of the United States, thanking them for their sacrifices for our country. Students also inquired about veterans’ personal interests such as their hobbies, television shows they watched, and what their favorite books and movies were. Over the past seven years, Aaron School students have written to veteran centers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Maryland. Several veterans from different states have taken the time to respond to students’ letters, and we are still receiving responses to this day which are read aloud during history periods! Our students feel very honored to hear back from these American heroes who have sacrificed so much for our liberty and freedom.
