Cudahy Students Record CD to Send to National Guard Troops Overseas
Members of the Wisconsin National Guard serving overseas can see, smell, touch, taste and HEAR a slice of home this holiday season, thanks to students and staff at Cudahy’s General Mitchell Elementary School.
Each class adopted a soldier and put together care packages including cards, magazines, books, games, decorations, toiletries and treats. One of the most special treats in each box: a CD with the song “Home for the Holidays”, performed by the whole school.
“Our sixth graders selected Home for the Holidays,” said General Mitchell music teacher Janet Blanco. “It was a song they felt very strongly about. All of our students were excited to be able to offer this musical gift to the soldiers.”
The care packages were sent out on November 25th. Teacher Lori Ullenberg came up with the idea when she realized that many National Guard members who often volunteer in General Mitchell’s classrooms had been deployed to Iraq.
“For the past two or three years I have organized a large event for Veteran's Day. We would hold an assembly, invite local veterans and their families and each class would do something to thank them. Then the guard members would speak to students, show off their vehicles and hand out army souvenirs.”
But Ullenberg had to make a change of plans when she discovered that many of these veterans are on active duty right now. Two of the soldiers deployed overseas are uncles of General Mitchell students.
“The song [“Home for the Holidays”] talks about always keeping home in your heart no matter where you are,” Ullenberg said. “I think our children have a better understanding now of what this means for troops away from their families this time of year.”
