By Sara Ballenger

Anne Marie Bevolden’s second-grade class at Los Altos Christian School will soon become pen pals to service men and women stationed in the Middle East.

Students are writing letters as a part of the American Red Cross pen pal program, “Operation Enduring Response.” Every class at LAC is taking part in the program.

“The kids are very aware of the war and they feel like they want to do something to help,” Bevolden said.

Bevolden discussed with her students what they could write. She wrote suggestions on the white board, such as, “Try to be brave, we hope you come back safely, don’t give up and God will protect you.”

Student Shelly Parks wanted to write a letter to her cousin who is in the military and stationed in the Middle East.

“I feel pretty good about writing letters, because it helps me feel safe,” Parks said. “My cousin is in the war and I don’t know what to feel scared about.”

Student Brittney Lundquist wrote about her family in her first letter, including that she has a baby brother on the way, and that she is happy to be a big sister. Her thoughts were also with the children in the war zone.

“I think war is loud,” Lundquist said. “I bet the children there are really scared. I would tell the children, don’t be scared, God is with you.”