Triangle School Sends Holiday Cards Overseas

Some cards said “Happy Holidays”, while other went with a more specific “Merry Christmas”, but the messages from Triangle School students consistently expressed thanks to the soldiers who will receive them.

Leonard Lance collected about 140 cards from the school’s third and fourth graders Monday, as part of the American Red Cross’s Holiday Mail for Heroes program. While several cards will be sent to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, some will be mailed to soldiers in Germany and other locations, Rep. Lance noted while meeting with the classes.

“Whatever holiday you celebrate in December, these are important holidays,” Rep. Lance said. “It is a time to acknowledge those who can’t be here and, in particular, acknowledge those who are serving in the military.

“Many in the military will not be able to return home to visit their families during the holidays,” he added.

In addition collecting the cards, Rep. Lance spoke about his duties in Washington D.C. and answered students’ questions.

The students created their cards during Thanksgiving week, expressing holiday wishes and thanking the soldiers.

The request to create the cards came from Rep. Lance’s office, following a recommendation from Hillsborough Mayor Gloria McCauley, Triangle Elementary School Principal Lisa Heisel said.

“It was the same week as Veteran’s Day, so it really just flowed from there,” Heisel said. “It gives us an opportunity to tie into our packing day too.”

The school’s history of supporting the troops contributed to the recommendation, Heisel added. In addition to its annual Veterans Day celebration, students spend a day in January creating care packages to ship overseas.

“We’re suckers for soldiers,” Heisel said. “You say ‘soldiers’ in this building and it’s right up our alley.”