Sending love to deployed service members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The children of Lanier County Primary School came together this year to make Valentine's Day special for service members currently deployed.

Approximately 600 children ranging from preschool to second grade have been making Valentine's Day cards with special messages inside for troops who are currently deployed or will be deployed during Valentine's Day.

"This is the first year the school has gathered together to do something like this," said Pat Brown, LCPS secretary. "We have so many kids here with family members in the military and overseas that we thought this program would be a great way we can give back to them. It's great for the kids to be able to help their heroes."

Each card is specially designed by a student, whether the child decided to color the paper, draw pictures or just include a specialized message to a service member.

While each child was given the opportunity to write their own message, some students like Deshaun Hardcastle, son of Staff Sgts. Larry and Shakisha Hardcastle, was able to send it to someone special-his father.

Sergeant Hardcastle is deployed from the 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron and will be gone during Valentine's Day.

Deshaun a second-grade student, said the message wrote his father says he loves him and to have a special Valentine's Day.

All the children's letters, including Deshaun's, will be collected in a mailbox that was decorated and placed in the school. When all the children have placed their letters in there, they will be mailed out in time for Valentine's Days.