Local Students Write Letters to Troops for Holidays (VIDEO)

Bloomfield elementary schools Berkeley and Demarest recently participated in the “Season of Service” initiative endorsed by the Christie Administration.  Partnering with the NJ Department of Education and the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs the initiative encouraged school children to send holiday greetings to servicemen.  More than 125,000 student letters were collected at area schools last Friday.

In her weekly message to the Superintendent about school news, Principal Heather Carr wrote, "In response to the Christie Administration’s Season of Service project, students wrote letters and made holiday cards for our US service members in appreciation for their service to our country.

"There were 244 Berkeley elementary students in grades K-6 who participated in this show of appreciation for our military.  The students did a beautiful job sending their heartfelt thanks to our military.  Their efforts reflect the true meaning of the holiday season."   

Principal Mary Todaro said was also pleased with her students' participation in the program. 

"Demarest students sent over 100 letters and cards in support of our military.  They thanked them for their service and for keeping us safe, wished them a happy holiday and shared wishes that they return safely," Todaro told Patch on Monday.

in West Orange was one of six school visited by state officials on Friday.  Dorothy Strickland, New Jersey State School Board Member, Senator Richard Codey and Lieutenant colonel John Langston from the National Guard were in attendance for the assembly, at which students presented the servicemen with boxes of handwritten letters and displayed a ceremonial folding of the American flag. 

Langston, a Newark resident, said the letters really inspire troops who can't spend the holidays with their loved ones.

See video for more details.