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Educator Marilyn Dickey remembers what it was like having a son in the Army serving in Croatia and Kosovo.

"He was gone for Christmas both times. So, I feel a special tie to soldiers having had my own son in a war zone," said Dickey, who teaches at John F. Kennedy Elementary in Kettering.

That's why she and Linda Rudd — who teach 39 students in their third- and fourth-grade combination classroom — had their students write to soldiers as part of Operation Bridge the Gap, an effort by the Dayton Daily News and other Cox Ohio newspapers to send greetings to soldiers serving away from home.

They wanted to teach the youngsters about caring, patriotism and thankfulness.

Matt wrote to Marine Capt. Polson, 35, of Beavercreek, who is on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

"I am so happy your fighting for our country. But I feel sorry that your 6,431 miles from home," the child wrote on lined paper. "I bet you really miss your family alot. I bet it's hard to just constantly (be) thinking about the war. What part of Iraq are you staying in?"

Several school districts throughout the Miami Valley have been participating in the holiday season initiative, including Dayton, Kettering, Centerville, Northmont and Edgewood.

Franklin Montessori School in Dayton produced 87 greeting cards from students in kindergarten to sixth grade.

The youngsters pasted colored candy canes or patches of gift wrap on cards crafted from construction paper.

Korryn Millerton, 5, made a Christmas tree with crayon-colored ornaments.

Her teacher wrote down her message to the troops: 'Thank you for keeping us safe and for saving us. I hope Santa brings you presents!"

Franklin sixth-grader Erin McGee wrote, "Thank you for being there when I needed you. I am so sorry if you missed your family while you were fighting for me."

She also sent along a few questions: "Were you scared or nervous? Why or why not? Were you happy or sad? Why or why not? Did you need help fighting in the war?"

The cards were mailed to nearly two dozen servicemen and women who are serving in various branches of the military overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Some of the cards came from Carol Whitehead's second-grade class at Stingley Elementary in Centerville.

One student drew a nifty helicopter and tank, complete with camoflage and tiny American flags.

"Dear whoever you are," Kevin wrote, "thank you for protecting are country and merry Christmas."

Chloe Konicki, another second-grader at Stingley, decorated her card with a purple and yellow flower blooming beneath a big blue sky and bright sun.

"Dear Soldier. Hi, my name is Chloe not Cleo. What is your name? I hope you come home safe! I hope you get this!"

Some children made menorahs for Hanukkah and a few chose to share some greetings from Thanksgiving — the week Operation Bridge the Gap was launched.

Among them was a card Alanna addressed to "A Hero." She decorated it with a fat turkey with brown, orange and red construction paper feathers and then included a special "feather for luck!!"

Thirty cards were made by the Just Say No Club for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Edgewood Elementary. The kids talk about being alcohol- and drug-free and look for positive ways to touch other people's lives.

"I hoped that sending the letters to our troops would allow the students to see that they may make a difference in someone's life and holiday by writing them a letter and also sending them a Christmas card that they designed," said Beth Birchwell, a club adviser.

Fifth-graders helped her address the cards.

"They all enjoyed this activity," she added, "and I believe they felt proud to be able to give our troops a message of encouragement and good wishes."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2094 or e-mail her at mkissell@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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