Elementary Students Given Special Military Thank You

Elementary School Principal Marella Kazos said Thursday’s assemblies at and were among “the most moving I’ve seen”—adding that she and a colleague found themselves blinking back tears.

Senior Master Sgt. David Sweitzer of the U.S. Air Force on Thursday presented two flags that were flown in Afghanistan as a special thank you to a fourth-grade class that sent handwritten Christmas cards to members of the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The squadron flew two U.S. flags on Christmas Day 2011 in their honor.

Sweitzer was serving in Afghanistan when Shawn Stoner's mother—Sweitzer's sister, Amanda Stoner—suggested to her son’s teacher at Wylandville Elementary School that his classroom of 25 make Christmas cards to send to Sweitzer.

That project grew when Kazos, principal at both Wylandville and Borland Manor elementary schools, offered the opportunity to all students K-4 in both schools.

After the presentations Thursday, the children sang patriotic songs as a return thank you to Sweitzer.

“It celebrated everything we stand for and the freedoms and liberties we have because of what (members of the military) do,” she said.