Boxes upon boxes of letters and cards arrived at Michelle Stapleton’s home in Germany last year as spring sped toward summer.

Friday, January 28, 2000

Boxes upon boxes of letters and cards arrived at Michelle Stapleton’s home in Germany last year as spring sped toward summer.

The return address? Kingsbury Elementary School, Ironton, Ohio, USA.

A little rewrapping and addressing later, the care packages were making their way to U.S. Army troops stationed on Albania’s border with Kosovo.

Once at Charlie Company, 47th Forward Support Battalion, headquarters, the company commander ordered a formation.

Every soldier picked a letter and read it. Some even took pictures of the construction paper hearts, complete with names of Kingsbury students and staff.

"Oh, they really appreciated them," Mrs. Stapleton said.

Her husband, Charlie Company mechanic and Ironton native John Stapleton, called the notes from home the best morale booster his unit had received.

"It helps us know we’ve got support," he said. "It’s heartwarming."

How did it all happen?

The tale begins in 1998, shortly after the Stapletons came home to Ironton for an extended visit, when they put little Cory in first grade during their stay.

Mrs. Stapleton spoke to the class about military life. Cory befriended Bob Rowe’s students. Then they had to leave after Christmas.

Except, the students didn’t forget their new friend. They began writing email letters to Cory in Germany.

Soon afterward, NATO began its bombing campaigns, intending to make Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic cease hostilities against Kosovars struggling for their independence. The Army sent Cory’s dad into action.

Mrs. Stapleton, a volunteer support group leader, lost no time asking Rowe to rally his little first-grade troops and to send the letters.

"They were excited to do it," Rowe said.

Even though first- or second-graders are young, they can still understand the military, learn about the world around them and spread a little cheer halfway around the world, he said.

Timmaya Taylor and Alex Underhill, now in second grade, said they’re glad they helped.

It was for Cory’s dad, and if there weren’t any soldiers, the country wouldn’t be like it is today, Timmaya said.

Because of the Kosovo care packages, the Army penned a special certificate of appreciation, honoring the students’ sentiment.

Cory and his parents – visiting Ironton again this week – delivered the certificate and a thank-you card signed by the troops to Kingsbury.

They’re moving to Ft. Carlson in Colorado this weekend, where Stapleton and his company will stay for probably two years.

Still, the soldier won’t forget about Albania, or his ties to home.

Mrs. Stapleton will make sure of that, again.

"As soon as we get to Colorado, I think they’ll go out to Bosnia."

Rowe said his class is ready, with markers and pens in hand.