Email dated September 12, 2008 from

David Hoffert
U.S. History Teacher
Warsaw Community High School

“Dear Mr. Hammett,

Hello again from Warsaw Community High School in northern Indiana. A student of mine wrote you through our classroom Pearl Harbor Veteran pen pal project. Thank you so much for the update newsletters and forwards from the FCOC. I have been thinking a great deal about your organization this past month and wanted to run an idea past you.

I created a new class for Junior U.S. History students this year. It is a class of “At Risk” of dropping out of school students. They are students that have made an active choice to stay in school but are in dire need of role models and extra encouragement. Most of the time it is because their is no home life. Their stories break your heart. They have endured more by the age of 17, then most should see in a lifetime. But their still is hope with this group. The new class gives them the personal attention they need to succeed.

One of the thoughts that came to my mind was a Veteran role model link to their understanding. I would love to create a link to a Veterans group like the FCOC that is full of role models in Patriotism for these students. They need to see the positive of America from people like your members. Your members all have the same goals in mind and being across the country, my student would be able to work on writing and research skills… Hopefully then to get involved with our local veterans groups that have worked with my general education students.

I would love for these students to learn from the Veterans, but also send grade updates and progress reports of learning. Again, these are not the highest level of students (but they are the ones worth saving and have hope). Again, these are just a few of my ideas. I would love to talk more about these ideas and find out if a project like this might be possible with your great organization. I look forward to your feedback.”