“It was good of you to sacrifice your life to save millions,” wrote fifth grade PVPV/Rawlings Elementary student, Layann Issa. “I also wish you have a happy holiday. You spend time away from your family and friends, that’s what a hero like you would do.”
This year, over a hundred holiday cards were mailed off to the Naval aircraft carrier, the USS Lincoln, thanks to the organization and hard work of the PVPV/Rawlings Elementary Student Council. Through the card-writing project, the school’s fifth graders expressed their thanks to the many service men and women aboard the ship during the holidays.
Student council member Via Miller and Gracie Porter came up with the idea to organize a holiday card greeting to the sailors after talking about Porter’s father, Commander Ian Porter. Learning that many military personnel must spend their holidays away from family made them realize some of the sacrifices made by people like Porter’s dad.
“I could definitely not be in the military with all that time away from family and friends, it’s really hard,” Via said.
On Friday, Dec. 4, the Student Council spent their lunchtime packing and organizing boxes upon boxes of letters to be sent overseas. Each box included some holiday candy and a personalized card for each service member.
“We hope they feel joy, that they feel welcomed and that they feel remembered,” said Jackson Bohsali, student council president. “I hope they feel acknowledged. Thanking veterans is important because they help make the country what it is today.”
In addition to the heartfelt cards from all the fifth-grade classes, the student council also spearheaded their very own class flag to be sent along with the greetings.
The flag features a hand drawn sea turtle with the school motto “Be kind, work hard and be awesome.” Additionally, under the design, the word “Florida” is spelled out in nautical symbols.
The packages and flag will be delivered to the USS Lincoln in the coming weeks, slated to arrive prior to Christmas. Currently, student council members and fifth-grade students are waiting to hear back and are hoping to get news that their flag is being flown on the ship.
Recently, the students also learned that the USS Lincoln was just filmed for the new “Top Gun: Maverick” movie, starring Tom Cruise, which is set to be released in June of 2020.
