Striving to live out this year's Catholic School Week theme; Character, Compassion, and Values, the fourth graders at St. Rose of Lima School decided to spread well wishes and Christmas cheer to several soldiers stationed in Iraq. Integrating the religion and English language arts curriculum, the boys and girls wrote letters to three soldiers telling each about St. Rose School, themselves, and the appreciation they have for the sacrifice men and women in the military make on a daily basis. The letters were divided and sent to Iraq. To the surprise of the fourth graders, two of the three soldiers responded to them. SPC Robert Bartko wrote to every child who wrote to him. SPC Bartko answered questions about himself and thanked the children for remembering him. Corporal Tim Melia also contacted St. Rose, sending a letter to the class along with a camera containing pictures of his unit in Iraq. Cpl. Melia told of his plans to come home sometime in May when he promised to visit the children.

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