Middle School

Decorations for Iraq

by Jody Mischnick

December 06, 2004

8th grade students at Alliance Middle School are getting ready for Christmas a bit early. They have been making paper chains to adorn the living quarters of Zach Pryor and his fellow corpsmen and marines serving in Iraq.

Each student also wrote a short description of a Christmas memory to share with the men in Iraq. They then decorated Christmas "stockings." the stocking were hooked together with metal rings, but can be taken apart and used as decorations if they so choose. They will be in Iraq for the holidays and away from their loved ones. It is the hope of the students that these memories help them remember why their sacrifice at this time is so appreciated.

Earlier in the fall, with help from everyone at school, they sent magazines and books for the servicemen to read when they are off duty. The boxes were received and have been enjoyed by many of the men in Zach's unit. The students have also received letters from Zach and several other servicemen.

With the mail being slow in getting half way around the world in a war zone, these Santa's helpers plan on getting everything in the mail as soon as possible.

Merry Christmas!