By Brenda Sexton
The Courier-Herald
"Dear Marine,
I've been thinking about you! Happy Valentine's Day. Your friend Amanda Hansen, second grade, Enumclaw."
"Dear Marine,
Thank you for being so brave. Happy Valentine's Day. Your friend, Faith."
It was early January when students in Dianne Pedersen's second-grade class at Kibler Elementary School jotted those sentiments down in colorful, handmade Valentine cards to send to troops in Iraq. The classes, everyone of them at Kibler, were participants in Operation Heart to Heart, a program organized by Vicky Mohler, Liz Reynolds and Cindy Morris to bring valentines and treats from school children, families and friends to the 9th Communication Battalion Marines deployed in Iraq.
Putting the care packages together in January ensured arrival on the front lines by Feb. 14. Even a month before the holiday, Pedersen's students understood the timing of each message.
"We'll send them to Iraq for Valentine's Day," Faith Hardersen said. "We're sending words from friends."
"Because they won't get to be with their family," Hailey Stenslie said.
"Have a safe and happy Valentine."
"Good Luck."
For some students, who have family in the military, the message hit home.
"They help our country be safe and our city be safe," said Josh Lewis, whose dad was a Marine. Sitting next to him diligently working on paper hearts was a classmate who has relatives in the Airforce.
"I was so impressed with the time they took and the thought they put into it," Pedersen said. "They all thought about thanking them, which I thought was really neat.
"They just have empathy in second grade. They understand what it would be like not to be with their family."
Pedersen's class wasn't the only group to participate. Every class at Kibler created a card and then wandered down to the gymnasium and signed an enormous, handmade poster.
"The valentines were so sweet and the banner they made was huge," Mohler said of the Kibler students' participation. She said troops hung the banner in the chow hall.
Mohler is a Puyallup Marine mom whose son is in Iraq. She is the project coordinator for steadfasttovictory.com, a Washington state-based, non-profit corporation run by a group of volunteers who uses its profits to support troops who are serving America.
In the fall, she organized Operation Santa and is preparing for Marine Morale later this year. It was her Operation Santa that served as a connection for Kibler. Morris and Reynolds were volunteers on that project and asked how they could help with Operation Heart to Heart. They brought Kibler students on board.
"It's such a small thing, but it means so much for them to know someone is thinking of them and praying for them," Mohler said. "It's something small, but it's really something. It's so important that they know we're proud of them and we support them."
Kibler students were some of the first participants, but Mohler's plea has reached across the nation. She received cards from school children and families from outside Washington as well.
"It was really something the box loads that came in," she said.
Mohler shipped out close to 650 valentine packages containing thousands of cards.
She has spent the past few days enjoying the e-mails flooding to her computer from the troops.
Dear Vicky,
Good News! The Valentines came today! Fifteen big boxes full. The Chaplain came right over and took them to 9th Comm, so the Marines will get a little extra love today. Thank you and thank everyone so much. I peeked in the boxes and everything looked great. I know they will love the Valentines, and it’s one more thing to help make the time pass quicker.
Good Morning from Iraq,
Thanks to all for the great Valentine's Day packages; I got sixteen boxes in the mail today. More than likely I will distribute them to the Marines on the frontlines. They will really appreciate everyone’s kindness and thinking of them. Good timing to help boost morale.
Dear Mrs. Mohler,
Thanks for the Valentines Packages for the Marines,
Your support of the Marines of 9th Communication Battalion has been greatly appreciated. As you probably know, part of the Battalion will start our journey back to “The land of and free”, and “The home of the brave” at the end of the month.
Again thanks and God Bless!!
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com.
