Pushup – Sergeant James Borchardt demonstrates “team push-ups” for a rapt group of Victory Villa kindergarten students

Students at Victory Villa Elementary School in Middle River were greeted recently with the words of a grateful soldier who came to the school to thank students for making the holidays brighter for three military units stationed in northern Iraq.

Sergeant James Borchardt of the 2nd 101st Aviation Airborne AVN, REGT unit visited the school on January 19 to express his appreciation for the students’ efforts in sending stockings filled with gifts for soldiers.

Students, faculty and community businesses all worked together to provide cheer for the soldiers, and the initiative proved so popular that what began as a small gesture of good will turned into a full-blown campaign called, “Stockings for the Soldiers.” Students donated toys, toiletries, and various other items, while teachers baked cookies. Businesses donated cookie tins, packing materials, and money to provide phone cards and to cover the cost of the shipping. Due to the overwhelming response, the school was able to send the “care packages” to three military units.

Students got a first-hand account of how much their generosity meant when Sgt. Borchardt visited the school to personally thank children and teachers. He shared photos of the soldiers receiving the gifts. His commander, Captain Linn K. Desaulniers, also wrote a thank you letter that emphasized how much it meant for Victory Villa’s children and community to remember those engaged in military action so far away.

To thank students at Victory Villa Elementary School for sending aid packages to troops in Iraq, Sergeant James Borchardt discusses a soldier’s life in Iraq with interested students.

When students saw that their gifts brought so much joy to the soldiers, their faces filled with delight. When students were given the opportunity to ask questions, one student wanted to know what the most difficult part of being at war is. “Missing our families,” Borchardt replied. “That’s the hardest part of being at war.” And when asked what gifts the soldiers appreciated most, he answered enthusiastically, “The cookies, definitely the cookies, and the phone cards.”

While spending part of the day with kindergarten students, Sgt. Borchardt read “Curious George Bakes a Cake” to the children. He then talked with them the value of team work and asked them to join him in doing “team push-ups.” Children were enthralled as they heard him emphasize the importance of looking out for one another. Finally, he led students to lunch in formation, chanting cadence to keep the beat as the students mimicked his perfect left-right-left stepping.

Victory Villa Elementary School’s initiative to troops overseas, and Sgt. Borchardt’s visit of thanks, shows the school’s emphasis on civic responsibility, compassion and caring, and the importance of reaching out to both local and global communities. It is a fitting lesson for children – the school community was originally established for the children of soldiers during World War II. Even as the school focuses on meeting the educational needs of each child, it also asks students, faculty, and the greater school community to look beyond individual needs to meet the needs of others – a lesson all people would do well to practice.

 

Story and photos by Dawn E. Rutter-Hoffmaster, Good News Ambassador and vocal music teacher at Victory Villa Elementary School.