Students get 33 letters from NMI soldiers

A letter-writing campaign by CNMI students to NMI soldiers serving in Iraq was rewarded when the recipients wrote them back.

Pacific Star Center for Young Writers director Katharyn Tuten-Puckett, who spearheaded last year’s Project Holiday Cheer, said she was busy this week delivering to the students the 33 letters she received in early January.

Tuten-Puckett started with Grace Christian Academy Thursday morning. She handed out five letters to students: Kamille M. De Leon, Kodie Castro, Edward Minami, Julian Marie L. Muna and Stephanie Arnold.

GCA principal Faith Dela Rosa gathered the five students in her office where they had the chance to read aloud their letters to Dela Rosa and Tuten-Puckett. Dela Rosa said she was very pleased that the NMI soldiers took time in spite of their hectic schedule to write back to the students.

The soldiers who wrote back were Kolin Reyes, Roland Aizon, Noel Chargualaf, Thomas Tudela, and Jesse J. Stole.

Chargualaf wrote that the soldiers’ morale is high when they receive letters or packages from home. “We can’t wait to come home soon and see you guys again. God bless you and your families. Adios esta alter. Go for broke!” said Chargualaf in his letter.

Tuten-Puckett told the students that, among the several students who wrote the soldiers in November, the five GCA students were among the 33 recipients of the “thank you” cards from the soldiers. “So, you’re special,” she said.

GCA sent out at least 400 letters to NMI soldiers in November.

Other schools that received replies from the soldiers were Calvary Christian Academy with three letters, Garapan Elementary School, five; Kagman Elementary School and Kagman High School, two letters each; Marianas High School, one; Saipan Community School, four; San Vicente Elementary School, one; Whispering Palms School, three; William S. Reyes Elementary School, three; and San Antonio Elementary School, one.

Mount Carmel School received the most number of letters from the soldiers with 11, said Tuten-Puckett.

Military Veterans Affairs Officer executive officer Ruth Coleman and Mount Carmel School principal Galvin Deleon Guerrero helped in the collation and sorting of the letters in November at the Mount Carmel School library, with student volunteers helping out in the project.

Tuten-Puckett earlier said her involvement with the project is one of her contributions to the community. In 2004 she also got involved with the same project when she was still connected with the Public School System. She said she was overwhelmed with the turnout of the project.

The letters sent to the soldiers were more creative and more touching, said Tuten-Puckett. She said there were jokes, poems, songs, and photos of the classes and families that were sent to the soldiers. (Marconi Calindas)