Ossining Students Write to Deployed Soldiers for 9/11 National Day of Service

In letters and cards to U.S. soldiers stationed around the world, Anne M. Dorner Middle School students thanked them for risking their lives, keeping Americans safe, being courageous, and sacrificing time with their families to serve their country.

“Because of your strength, I am allowed to go to school. Because of your bravery, I am allowed to be with my family. Because of your actions, I am allowed to walk the streets without fear,” a 13-year-old girl wrote in her letter on Sept. 11.

Nearly 450 AMD students participated in “9/11: Serve + Remember,” which was organized by Volunteer New York. The purpose of their correspondence was to thank the troops for their service and reflect on the sacrifices the soldiers have made for the country.

They middle school children were among more than 1,800 people across Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties who were a part of 9/11: Serve + Remember volunteer activities this year.

“Some of the students wrote really impactful, amazing things. They were really thoughtful,” said Elizabeth Parra, Volunteer New York’s corporate relations and service events manager.

The 444 letters and cards will be added to larger care packages that United for the Troops in Putnam County will send to soldiers for the holidays. The group runs a care package drive the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Jim Rathschmidt of Mahopac, the group's founder along with his wife, Patty, said his organization has been sending care packages to soldiers for 10 years. The group collects food, toiletries, sundries and other items from the community to include in the boxes. They put about five cards in each care package. “One of the most important things that we get is letters,” he said.

“These men and women are thousands of miles away. Many times they don’t have contact with anyone,” Mr. Rathschmidt said. “When you get a card from a 5-year-old or a 10-year-old or a 100-year-old wishing you to stay safe and thanking you for serving the country, it impacts you.”

Sixth-grader Shania Flores said she took a lot of care in writing her letter because she wants it to be something a service member can relate to and cherish. It takes a lot of strength and courage to serve in the military, she said.

“It’s incredible that someone could have the courage to do that, to care so much about their country to leave everything they know behind for their country,” she said.

Shania said she visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in August, where she gained new insight on the tragedy. It was also a moving experience. “There was something in my heart going on when I looked at two reflecting pools with the names of all the people who died around them,” she said.

Fellow sixth-grader Adam Beno said he wanted his letter to stand out, in hopes it will give the soldier the strength and courage needed “to continue on their fighting journey.” He also wanted to express how much he respects the soldier and that he hopes he or she doesn’t get hurt.

“I wanted to calm them down a little because sometimes soldiers can get really scared and terrified,” he said. “They left their loved ones behind so they can serve our country, and it’s kind of heartbreaking how they might even die in the battle.”

Maya Mele said her godmother serves in the U.S. Army, so the eighth-grader knows how much of a sacrifice it is for soldiers to serve. Her godmother has had to leave her husband and two children during her service.

She wrote in her letter how grateful she is for the soldier’s service. “I really wanted to express the feeling that they can make it … and that they shouldn’t get discouraged while fighting,” she said. “We’re all very grateful and they’re really doing a lot for everyone and for their country.”

Maya said she has learned about the events of 9/11 over the years and has written essays, but this was the first time she ever wrote a letter to a service member. “It was such a new experience and it was really awesome,” she said.