SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Phillip sent a snowflake to Iraq.

The intricate pattern — cut from bluish-green construction paper — contained a smiley face and a message from the Englewood Elementary fifth-grader: "I hope you guys have a great winter!"

Phillip's is among hundreds of holiday greeting cards Miami Valley schoolchildren are sending to servicemen and women away from their families this holiday season.

The effort is part of Operation Bridge the Gap, an initiative of the Dayton Daily News and other Cox Ohio newspapers.

A special greeting from Jerry, a second-grader at Stingley Elementary in Centerville, is certain to elicit a chuckle.

"Dear soliders, Merry Christmas to all of you. Tell the Genral I said Hi," said his message, tucked inside a yellow card containing a picture of an American flag.

And then there is this gem from Jensen, a fifth-grader at Englewood Elementary, who decorated her card with hearts:

S is for saver

O is for outstanding

L is for life-saver

D is for dedication

I is for I think you're great

E is for epreciation

R is for really awesome

S is for sincere.

• See the cards