After studying global issues and human rights, students at Oceanside Middle School in French Creek received an early Christmas surprise, direct from Afghanistan.
Three classes sent more than 100 Christmas cards to Canadian Forces at the Kabul Military Training Centre (KMTC) at Camp Alamo where teacher Jo-Ann McNulty’s daughter Christine Gatherum is stationed.
“Thank you for all your wonderful cards ... I passed them out to all the other troops that are here in our camp and they loved them as well,” Gatherum e-mailed back to the students, along with a group photo.
“It’s no fun being away from home for the holidays but your support makes it a little easier,” she wrote, adding that it was getting cold and they would have a white Christmas if there is any precipitation.
Representatives of Mr. Martin and Mrs. Proctor’s Grade 7 classes and Mrs. McNulty’s Grade 6 class said along with holiday greetings they sent them wishes that they come home soon and safe.
“It was pretty cool seeing our cards in Afghanistan,” said James Bingham who pointed out his was front and centre in the photo they sent back.
More than 200 Canadian Forces advisors and support staff serve at the KMTC as part of the NATO training mission, a coalition of 37 nations assisting the Afghan government develop their own security force by 2014.
Approximately 920 Canadian Forces personnel serve in training camps, mostly in the Kabul area.
Gatherum concluded her email to the students with an important suggestion, “P.S. Be nice to your teachers, especially my mom.”