Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Coleman
Elizabeth Coleman’s fourth-grade class at Estes Hills Elementary School was visited last week by their pen pal, Sgt. Justin Young, who returned from Iraq in October. Students wrote Young and other soldiers letters as part of their language arts curriculum and learned about Iraq during social studies. In addition, they put together a care package for Young, which they sent to him while he was overseas. Students also talked about Iraq and discussed their perceptions of the war. When Young visited, they were able to ask him questions about the Army and the war in Iraq. Young also brought students Ranger and U.S. flag patches and explained the patches and stars on his uniform. Young, who has been in the Army since 2003, returned from Iraq in October, having completed a 15-month tour as part of the 82nd Airborne’s 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment.