Look what arrived in the mail today...

In the fall our class wrote to Victoria's dad who is stationed with the U.S. Navy in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Today we received a large box in the mail.  Mr. Gonzalez sent each of the students a letter in response to the ones he received.  He included badges from the United States Naval Academy for each child.

According to my letter, he and his "entire office got a chance to read the letters and they certainly made everyone's day".   He went on to enclose a beautiful shell (at Victoria's insistence) for me from a dive in the area.  It will hold a place of honor on my desk.

This was a Veterans' Day opportunity for our class and Mr. Gonzalez.  While we might have entertained his and his colleagues, he should know that the class was very excited to receive responses in this way.  (Many thanks to Stacey Gonzalez for this wonderful suggestion on Medfield Day!)

I am attaching a picture of the class with their letters and badges.

I truly hope this makes us all realize that Veteran's Day should never be just ONE day.   The brave men and women who protect and serve our country (and write 20 letters to 3rd graders) should be honored each and every day.

The class show their letters and badges! 

A beautiful shell from a dive in Cuba.  

Thank you!