Reed's aunt Linda has a sister, Judy, who teaches in the Twin Cities. When
she heard Reed was in Iraq, she collaborated with other teachers at her school
and the result was a bundle of letters from very young people to Reed and others
in his squad. Here are a few samples.
Dear Reed,
The school I go to is the best school, the name is Riverew. my name is Edgar, I am 8 years old. I like to learn in school, the best part is math. My state is St. Paul, Minnesota. How are things going? I am thanfol that you are fiting for our contry for fredom and is it esey or hard? What time do you wake up? And what do you do? Do you jump out of araplanes. How are things going in Iraq?
Your friend,
Edgar
Dear Soldier,
Thanks for helping us. You care about people. You help us because you care about people. My name is Danielle and I'm 8 years old. Thanks for helping us. I go to 3rd grade and my school is called Riverview. What kind of school you whent to when you were a kid. Do you make movies about soldiers and captain soldiers. I am happy about soldiers helping us. Are you happy about saving us? When I grow up I'm going to be a cheerleader because you can win million of dollars. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Danielle
Dear Soldier,
I have a big family to you? I know all about wars. Want to hear? Ok you can use tanks and guns. You can hide and kill people. You can help people. You could get realy dirty.
Sincerely,
Alex
My name is ***. I am writing you from St. Paul, Minnesota at a west side school named Riverview Elementry. I am nine years old and I am in the third grade. I like to sing I also like to dance those are two of my favorite subjects. I like Riverview it's not my favorite school but I like it. I bet you would to. I have family but not much in Minnesota. My brothers say I'm no ordinary girl but no girl is just alike that's not my opinion that's their's. I like running who doesn't? I like make up just like every other girl but I have a dark side that you do not want to know about. Besides nobody else knows either. I like fashionable shoes clothes and stuff like that but enough about me how about you? Was it scary when you first jumped out of a helacopter? Do you like what you do? How are you doing in the army? Are you able to write back to people who write you? Do you have a partner that always go with you just like teamates?
Sincerely [Name withheld to protect the Dark Side]
Dear Soldier,
My name is Emily and I'm 7 years old. I live in St. Paul, Minnesota. I'm thankful for soldiers. I love the armys. I wish you guys would have happy holidays. I go to Riverview Elementry School. My birthday is May 4th. The day before Cinco de Mayo. Do you celebrate holidays? My aunt's son was a soldier. But he died at age 16. I was a baby when he died but I don't remeber him. I saw him in pictures. He died in a car acident. For my great great granma funirol we buried her rite next to him. I pray for them every night. For you too. For everyone. Has anyone in your family die before? I hope not. If so did you cry? How many people in your family died befor? Three people died in my family befor. I have dreams about them too. I cry cry cry every single day. I really really really miss them. Do you think its hard? Do you have to use guns? Do you wish you could just go home any time because you are tired and exhaustide? Do you like to fight for are country? I am thankful for your protectian and the hard work you do. I hope you send me a letter back because I am curious.
Your friend,
Emily
Reed's address is
Reed C. Vukelic
also reedvukelic@yahoo.com
A Co. 54th Engineer Battalion
APO-AE 09396