Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I hope your reasons to be thankful are abundant.
Last I wrote about Veterans Day in the area. We veterans are lucky to live in this area.
In thanking everyone at large I left out one group we as veterans we are most thankful for. That is certain schools and educators that celebrate veterans.
I received a letter from a 5th grader, her initials are MV. She goes to Hawley Elementary and is in Mrs. Tjaden’s class.
Enclosed in the letter was a personal letter from MV, patriotic thank you art and a picture of the entire class. The class was wearing military attire.
MV is a very smart and busy young lady, I’m sure the entire class is equally smart and busy.
She has a cat named Leroy she enjoys but he’s annoying. And she stays busy with school and many other activities.
She asked me what I like to do. A: MV I liked riding my motorcycle, reading, volunteering. I have an old Shih Tzu dog I like annoying.
She stated what freedom meant to her. She listed going to school, picking our careers, enjoying food of our choosing and living in her home she loves. She then thanked me for serving and protecting our freedom.
She asked me what freedom means to me. I put some thought into this. Freedom to me means these 5th graders (and all kids) have dreams and aspirations to strive for. Living the life they want and to the fullest is what freedom means to me.
Thank you very much for the nice letter MV. I’m very thankful to you and the entire class for writing veterans.
Special thanks to Mrs. Tjaden. As in any aspect in life it’s always the extra effort that makes the biggest impact. I know it takes time on her part to do these letters.
I was fortunate to speak with her. Her classes have been writing to veterans for 20 years and do over 150 letters a year. I will cherish my letter always. What a fantastic effort and difference you’ve made to so many, including myself.
Thanks to Hawley, DGF, Barnesville and Nativity schools. (If I missed any, my apologies). They have Veterans Day programs.
We are grateful they remember the veteran community.
Sadly I did not see my Alma Mater do anything to honor veterans, not even a social media post.
I recall many of my teachers speak of their military service with a great deal of pride. Milt Olson, Merle Johnson were huge influences on thousands. Mr. Naugle was always a marine, and Mr. Leitheiser to think of a few. A small recognition of those that taught me and served, thank you.
This Thanksgiving I’m grateful for those schools that support educators and take the extra effort. Mostly to all those kids and their letters. We veterans appreciate you all!!
Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.