Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Kandahar: To Sir, With Love

When I was first asked to take part in a Project Kandahar, I was honored.
"Get your kids to draw some pictures for the troops," was all BlondeByDesign asked.
I thought I could do better. Cinderella & Hansel's camp had arts and crafts every week so I decided I would speak to the camp counselors and employ their help in sending a little love to our guys.
They were all too excited to help out.

I have over 50 letters and drawings to send to SGM Danny Allman and Troops currently serving in Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan where they were experiencing facemelting temperatures of 143 degrees last week!
"But it's a dry desert heat," he tells me. "You just get used to it."
(Yeah, right. Ok. Whatever you say Sergeant Major, Dan! Here, have some more Crystal Light to keep you hydrated.)

The kids' camp consists of close to 30 children ranging in age from 5 to 13.
Twice they have been tasked with writing a letter or drawing a picture for the soldiers. No other direction was given.
The kids were left to their own devices. To come up with something from the heart that they would like to say/convey to these 19 men currently serving our country.
Both times they have exceeded our expectations and overwhelmed me by their messages of love, support and pride.
The pictures range from drawings of Army soldiers shooting bad guys, to tanks, to rainbows and self-portraits.
Then there are the flags. Lots of flags...

But there are a common messages conveyed in each and every one.

Messages of Thanks:
"Thank you for fighting for our country... for our freedom."

Messages of concern:
"I know you are having a hard time over there."
"I hope you all have a very nice life when all of you come back."

Messages of admiration:
"...I think you are really brave."

Messages that only a child can relate, so poignant and yet that can't help but make you laugh:
"... when you defeat [them] we won't have to worry about tourists or explosions."

Tourists. Terrorists.
For all that you are doing to to protect us, thanks.
Thanks from me. Thanks from my kids.

6 comments:

MoonNStarMommy said...

Awwwwwwwwwwwww that is so so sweet (tear) ... {{HUGS}} What great kids, and a wonderful things - on a large scale - to witness!!

Anonymous said...

That is a great story. You should be very proud of yourself and your kids. You are doing those men and your country a great service. I can only imagine what it might be like to be separated from friends and family as they are. I am sure the drawings, letters and paintings are welcome reminders of loved ones waiting at home.

Keep up the good work!

Marty, a.k.a. canape said...

That is awesome. I really love the picture of the flag.

And tourists can be rather annoying . . .

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing to do! I am going to add you to my Twitter friends! Hope you have a great day!

Anonymous said...

That's so great, what you and the kids are doing.

Dayngr said...

Awesome job!