Wichita Falls Students Honor Veterans With Heartfelt Letters

Students from City View Elementary delivered letters and drawings to veterans at Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare of Wichita Falls and Royal Estates on Tuesday, according to newschannel6now.com.

The early Veterans Day visits allowed students to share messages of appreciation with residents who served in the U.S. military. Children spent class time learning about veterans and the sacrifices required to protect American freedoms before putting pen to paper.

“I feel like our children need to be aware as to why we do live freely and why our country is the way it is,” Carla Swanner, an educator and veteran, told newschannel6now.com. “And we can just go to the grocery store, pick the church we want to go to, open a business, things like that.”

Photos: Wichita Falls Mexican American veterans association hosts annual parade https://t.co/pFpc0ZbkDF

— Post by @timesrecordnews on X

Second graders participated alongside their peers from Holy Family Classical Academy, Ben Milam Elementary, and Sheppard Elementary in reaching out to area veterans. Students focused their notes on gratitude and encouragement for the military community.

“I wanted them to have faith and so they can still make this country free,” second grader Julia told newschannel6now.com.

Classmate Luna kept her message direct, telling the outlet, “They fight for us.”

Second grade teacher Caroline Gellner, known to her students as Miss Gigi, said the letters reflected the kindness and generosity children naturally show when they have an opportunity to make someone else feel appreciated.

“Children are very loving and giving and when they know that they can do something to make somebody else feel good, they are all on board for that,” Gellner told newschannel6now.com.

Air Force veteran Vanessa Harsh described the classroom effort as deeply moving.

“For them to take time out of the day and to put so much effort into this, it’s really heart moving. It’s sweet,” Harsh told newschannel6now.com.

Army veteran Sandra Terrell shared a similar reaction to the unexpected gifts and drawings.

“That tells me that they’re interested in what happened,” Terrell told newschannel6now.com. “I’m just thrilled to be here and to receive these gifts.”

Nationwide, Veterans Day is formally observed on Nov. 11 to honor all individuals who have served in the United States armed forces.