by Alexandra Edwards

On Monday April 26th, students of a 2nd Grade class at Waterville Elementary School had the opportunity to ask questions about the war in Iraq and receive answers 'first hand' from two local servicemen who had recently returned from duty in Kuwait. Sergeants Ricky Baker and Steve Atchley visited the the class of 17 students to thank them for the letters they had received while serving their country in Iraq.

"Receiving mail really meant a lot, especially receiving it from children of my hometown. It makes the hardships of being away and doing what we are doing, all worthwhile." said Sergeant Baker.

The class began correspondence with Baker a year ago, after their teacher, Ms. Armstrong learned from a family member that Baker had been deployed to Iraq.  The class received many replies to their letters, some written on cardboard from military MRE cases (Meals Ready to Eat.) Among the souvenirs also sent to the children were, Iraqi coins and bills (Dinars), Iraqi food labels, paper cups, condiments and some dessert sand sent in a chili sauce bottle.

Baker and Atchley, who served as truck drivers and escorts in the U.S. Army for almost a year, explained to the class how the people of Iraq were living and how it used to be under Saddam's rule. They described the temperament of the Iraqi people and how our country's servicemen and women were coping with the conditions there. They told the children that 130,000 troops were still in Iraq and that they themselves would probably return to duty at a later date.

Students from other schools in Bradley County had also corresponded with Sergeant Baker during his service in Iraq.  Last week he paid a visit to Michigan Avenue School and next plans to go to Taylor Elementary School to thank those children and share his military experiences with them.