West Orange Students Write to Soldiers Overseas

Since September of last year, students at Gregory Elementary School have been writing letters every month to different platoons in Afghanistan in a way to show support for the troops while exploring the dying art of letter writing. 

"I felt like I was doing something good by writing a letter to our troops," Gregory student Nolan Baynes said. "I'm thankful that I have people protecting me."

By the end of the year, the elementary school's student body will have sent more than 575 letter to soldiers overseas. 

"The kids put so much effort into these letters and my guys were really stunned when they got them," said a platoon leader whose name has been withheld for security reasons.

The program is spearheaded by the school's physical education teacher Lisa Asman, whose son, 1st Lt. Brian Asman, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

“In September 2012 my son was deployed to Afghanistan. I asked the Gregory School staff if they would like their students to write letters to the troops, and I would collect the letters and send them to platoons in Afghanistan," Asman said. “ Every class was excited to participate and signed up for a different month of the school year. We have been sending letters ever since.”

Student Lily Stevens added, "I felt that I would be making the soldiers happy by writing letters to them. I am thankful that we live in a free country, and we have brave soldiers protecting us."