Barbara Lira and her mother, Barbarita Lira, present a flag and certificate from a U.S. Army base in Afghanistan to Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Bethalto. The school children correspond with American service personnel overseas, including Master Sgt. Tomas Lira. Julie Godfrey, kindergarten teacher and coordinator of the program, and Barbara Collins, religion teacher, receive the gift.
BETHALTO - Master Sgt. Tomas Lira thinks of home when he reads letters from students at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Bethalto. Lira, now in his second tour of duty in the U. S. Army in Afghanistan, sent a flag that flew over his camp and a framed certificate signed by his Army commander to the school.
"The letters from the school children are a real morale boost for my husband and his men," said his wife, Barbarita Lira.
"They read them over and over and pass them around," added his daughter, Barbara Lira.
Of course, the students are delighted to know that they can make a difference in a soldier's life, according to Julie Godfrey, kindergarten teacher and coordinator of the Armed Services program at OLQP School.
"It is good to get feedback that the cards we send and the prayers we offered are so meaningful to those who receive them," said Godfrey.
Lira's wife and daughter delivered the gifts to Barbara Collins, religion teacher and seventh-grade homeroom teacher. Her students were among those who correspond with Lira.
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