Young patriots support troops
Published: December 10, 2007
Traci Askew’s kindergarten class at Holy Cross Elementary School began learning at a young age the importance of patriotism and supporting the United States military when they sent hand made prayer rocks to a group of soldiers currently serving in Iraq.
The soldier who received the rocks was Army Lieutenant Andrew Richert – a close family friend of Mrs. Kathy Westmoreland, another staff member at Holy Cross – and 45 of the men and women serving along side him.
The students were excited to learn that Richert and two of his Army buddies sent a photo that pictured them with their prayer rocks back to the kindergarteners as a token of their appreciation.
Each rock was painted with a cross on it by a student in Askew’s class and was sent with a card that reads: “Because you’re our hero, we made you this rock, to put in your pocket, or put in your sock. It was sent with a blessing, and is yours to keep, and we promise to pray, each night before sleep.”
Before the rocks were sent to Richert, Askew took them to receive a blessing by Rev. Susan Kennard and the Wednesday night youth group of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
“At the youth group, they brought them all to the altar and laid hands on them and prayed for them,” said Askew.
The children also sent their own blessing and prayers with the rocks.
“Here at school we all went outside and gathered around them on the grass and the children said their own prayers and some of them kissed the rocks,” Askew said.
According to Askew, several of the children had some very grown-up feelings about the whole process.
“Julianne (a student) had tears running down and said, ‘I just want them to come home’,” Askew explained.
Askew said it was surprising how much the students could understand even at such a young age.
“It was good to see them have thoughts and feelings about something a little more important than Hannah Montana,” said Askew.
When asked how she felt about sending the prayer rocks to Richert, one student, Julianne Friesenhahn, had very careful words to say.
“I feel really, really good about sending the prayer rocks to Andrew,” said Friesenhahn.
“I prayed that (the soldiers) would be alright in the war and that Jesus would watch over them.”
The class will continue to send gifts to the soldiers throughout the year for various occasions and look forward to a possible, in-person visit from Richert in the spring.
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