Local reservists appreciate letters

Local reservists currently training at Fort Bliss, Texas expressed their appreciation to Hopwood Junior High School students for letters recently written and sent them.

Sgt. Fabian Indalecio, who also trains at Fort Bliss, said in an e-mail messageto the Saipan Tribune that they received the letters written by the school’s 8th grade students. He acknowledged the guidance provided by teachers Mrs. Quinata, Mr. Keller, Mrs. Rechebong, and Mrs. Aldan.

One of the letters read: “I like to let you know that we, students at HJHS, are really proud of you and everyone else. It’s so grateful to have a person like you fighting for the CNMI.” The letter was written by Alpha Tumada.

Indalecio said the troops were very appreciative of the letters, adding that fellow soldier SSG John Aguon said “the letter [he received] was very touching.”

“Company commander Franklin R. Babauta wishes to thank the principal, teachers, and especially the students of HJHS for their hard work in sending the letters to the soldiers of Company E, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry,” Indalecio said.

Indalecio reiterated that the soldiers are focused on their mission and continue to work hard.

“The soldiers continue to train very hard in preparation for their mission and [trainings] are nearly completed,” he said.

Many reservists are expected to return home for the holiday season, with most arriving on Dec. 23. After their holiday leave, the troops will move to Fort Polk, Louisiana for further training before a 12-month deployment to Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Pacific STAR Center for Young Writers, with the assistance of various government and private agencies, has mailed 50 packets to local troops currently off island.

Each packet includes eight to 10 letters written by students in kindergarten to high school from various schools on Saipan, as well as from the Pacific Star, Office of the Governor, and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Another 50 packets would be mailed next week.

Other project co-sponsors are the Public School System, VFW Post 3457, Joeten Shopping Center, and Shell Marianas.

Shell and VFW each donated $500 toward postage. VFW also donated 100 military phone cards while Shell donated 170 packs of Marianas playing cards. Joeten also gave discounts on its Marianas playing cards.

Almost 3,000 letters have been collected and are currently being sorted at the Pacific STAR Center, with the assistance of several Dan Dan Elementary School students.

The project, coordinated by Pacific STAR director Katharyn Tuten-Puckett, got underway earlier in the month.

“Pacific STAR promotes writing among students, and this is a wonderful opportunity to get students throughout the CNMI writing letters,” Tuten-Puckett said during an earlier interview. “Most kids have not been practicing because of the telephone, and it’s just wonderful for students to write…. These are very important letters to personnel who are not here.”

Tuten-Puckett said the project is still searching for more addresses of military personnel.

“Anyone who has a family member or friend who won’t be here for Christmas that’s in the military, please page me at 236-READ, or email pacificstarfoundation@yahoo.com,” she said.