Virginia Beach school is no stranger to the military

By Nora Firestone

Correspondent

From Virginia Beach to the Persian Gulf, the sentiment resounds: appreciation, pride and prayer for safety (Call it "best wishes" if you'd rather.)

Just in time for Veterans Day, students and teachers at Trantwood Elementary School sent notes to military members aboard the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt.

Fourth-grader Henry Aung wrote: "Thank you for helping our country. I really appreciate it. Do you like living in a aircraft carrier? "

Student "Morgan M." wrote: "I think that the hardest part is to say goodbye to your family. Do you ever feel scared or nervous while you're on the USS Theodore Roosevelt?"

More than 400 cards and letters had already been collected when students finished their colorful designs in Carla Gamache's art class.

The Roosevelt left Norfolk in September for a several-month deployment.

Students had already explored the ship's route on the Web site Google Earth, with Sheila Teri, computer resource specialist and Gamache's project co-organizer.

"We have ties to the curriculum through these activities," Teri said. "We talk about how we're helping the countries that need our help. We want our children to be globally aware."

Gamache and Teri had discussed the geography, duties and lifestyle logistics pertaining to the deployment. Students then typed letters, adding clip art and thoughtful questions about the soldiers, their families and their circumstances.

Recipients may reply via the school's blog.

"We're off on Veterans Day," Gamache said. "We wanted to bring some relevance to the kids. 'Why are we off? Why is this important? Are you attached in some way?' "

About 61 of Trantwood's 517 students have parents in the military, said Principal Patricia C. Slaughter. Approximately 11 family members are deployed.

"How beholden we are to our military personnel and to our veterans," Slaughter said.

"How better to help students understand the importance of upcoming Veterans Day, than by giving to those who protect our freedoms?"

Ongoing recognition includes a "Wall of Honor" and a "Lunch Bunch" support group, run by school counselor Lisa Randles for children of deployed parents.

Randles teaches coping strategies and helps the children "feel connected" to their parents with projects such as memory boxes.

The details of Bailey and Taylor Danse's father's deployment are confidential. But Taylor, 7, expressed gaining comfort from school-wide support such as the Lunch Bunch and the chance to reach out to other members of the military.

"It helps to have friends going through the same thing," the second-grader said. "It helps you realize that your dad won't be gone your whole life."

Casey Luke, 9, found the Veterans Day project rewarding. Her Navy father "helps people," she said, adding, "I'm very proud of him."

"It's important to send letters," said Anders Hansen, 9, of Southern Points, son of a Navy father. "Their job is to protect people. They should probably be appreciated."

Gamache's sure the gifts will be well-received. Her husband, Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gamache, now aboard the Roosevelt, told her so.

Nora Firestone, nfirestone@verizon.net