Murrieta Students Receive Honorary Flag From Troops In Afghanistan

This article originally ran on the Murrieta Patch.

An American flag that was flown over Aghanistan will find its final resting place in a display case at Murrieta's Cole Canyon Elementary.

The flag was presented to students during a ceremony Thursday morning, as an expression of gratitude for reaching out to the troops abroad.

Earlier this year, student Marcus Havens, 8, whose 20-year-old brother was stationed in Afghanistan, brought attention to the troops with his idea to send Rice Krispie Treats to Afghanistan.

The third-grader stood in front of his entire school to announce his idea, and the reason behind it: “We are sending a little bit of love from home." 

A little bit of love was an understatement; a whole lot of love was sent in the form of 1,600 Rice Krispie Treats, signed by the students and teachers of Cole Canyon Elementary.

“We sent out at least 100 flat-rate shipping boxes full of the Rice Krispie Treats and other goodies like flavor packets for their water,” said Dawn Havens, Marcus' mother. The Havens family spent their own money sending out the packages; at $12 a box it added up, but they believe it was small price to pay to support the troops.

“It’s nice to have a little taste of home,” Havens said. “Some don’t have family to send them things and others can’t afford to, but they all need a little taste of home."

The Murrieta Valley High School Junior ROTC were on hand to present the flag. Marcus and little brother, Robert, 5, were also presented with USO South coins during the ceremony.

A certificate accompanying the flag explains its signifigance, certifying the flag presented was “proudly flown over hostile Afghanistan territory during a combat Aeromedical Evacuation Mission onboard a United States Air Force C-130 'Hercules' in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.”

“This project was such an amazing thing,” said parent Joni Smith. “It came down to the kids level, that something they touched went to someone fighting for us."

Smith’s daughter, Lydia, 8, understood the impact it made.

“I think it made them happy [to get the treats]," said Lydia. “They protect us and they make us safe.” On her Rice Krispie Treat, she wrote “Thank you” and added a heart to show her appreciation.

The USO also reached out to Dawn Havens through email to express their thanks.

“I want to let them know how they are being distributed and how much these Marines [and] all appreciate the small things from home,” wrote USO Leatherneck, Afghanistan Programs Manager, Timothy C. Kerr.

He went on to write that many don’t know exactly what some of these Marines and soldiers go through on a daily basis. 

“I count my blessings each and everyday, and I'm honored to be part of the USO as well as being a soldier my self… I'll never complain about things I don't have, compared to those who are enduring this heat and sleeping in moats and not being able to take a nice shower or have a nice hot meal. I'm blessed to be here as well as being a Proud American.

“It is people like you, your family, (and) organization that make all the sacrifices worth while.”

The Havens family has also donated Girl Scout cookies and other goodies. They plan to send more cookies out next March when the Girl Scout troops start selling cookies again.

For more information on how to help support the troops, how to get your child’s school involved or to help the Havens family next year, contact Dawn Havens at allboysandme@verizon.net.