American Soldier writes to students about work in Iraq

Over the Christmas season, the students of Mrs. Sullivan's second grade at Our Lady of Lourdes school, West Islip, sent encouraging holiday cards, handwritten and personally designed, to troops in Iraq. Because of the miles, they have just received a letter from Major John W. Kallo, U.S. Army, which they would like to share with the community.

Dear Mrs. Sullivan and students,

Marhaba (informal Arabic for "Hello") from Iraq. Let me begin by wishing all of you a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008. I hope each of you had a very good holiday season.

I personally want to thank each of you for the holiday cards. It was a very special surprise to get these words of encouragement and support along with all of the great drawings. It was a very thoughtful gesture and meant a lot to me to get the cards while so far away from my wife and family. During my mission in Iraq, my team and I see a lot of Iraqi children while we are driving on our daily patrols. Your cards helped remind me that while the work the American Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps is doing is intended to help everyone in Iraq, a safe country will be most beneficial to the children of Iraq. For the time being, it is good to see them go to school, play soccer and just doing other activities kids enjoy doing.

In the short time my team has been in Iraq, we have developed a very good relationship with the Iraqi unit we are responsible for assisting. I look forward to working with them and helping them get better at their job of protecting the Iraqi people. Although there are many differences between Americans and Iraqis, we have gotten closer with the Iraqis we are helping by learning some basic Arabic words and phrases, working with interpreters, and sharing Iraqi tea (called chai) when we meet to talk.

On behalf of myself and my entire team, best wishes to each of you and your families for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008. Thank you again for the cards and keeping my team, along with all of America's military members, in your thoughts and prayers.

John W. Kallo, Major, Field Artillery U.S. Army Combat Advisory Team Leader

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