School kids often do fundraisers and service projects for good causes, but I think this is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve heard of in a while – and one that brought these kids into contact with real history and real people.

Appreciation comes full circle as George Reinwand, Pearl Harbor survivor, recently thanked Rapid River Elementary School students for their support in helping to send him to the recent Pearl Harbor SurvivorsÂ’ National Meeting in Hawaii.

Almost a year ago, through the leadership of the fourth grade, students created a service learning project to raise money for a special community member. Students decorated cans to collect money in, which were then placed in classrooms and school offices. Together, students in kindergarten through the fifth grade raised over $400. This money was presented to Reinwand and his wife, Shirley, in March 2006.

Since returning from their trip to Hawaii this past December, the Reinwands came back to thank the students of Rapid River and presented a plaque of appreciation honoring the studentsÂ’ hard work, which reads as follows:

“Presented in grateful appreciation to Rapid River Schools Kindergarten-5th grade of 2006 for your unselfish contribution in helping Shirley and me attend the Pearl Harbor Survivors’ National Meeting at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Thank you, George Reinwand”

After the presentation, students took turns looking at photos from the ReinwandsÂ’ trip.

This is the sort of stuff we ought to see more of – projects in which students both show their appreciation to others and learn something that is rightly a part of the curriculum. And in this case, we have youngsters getting the opportunity to interact with one of those who was a part of one of the most important events in American history. And as we lose this particular generation of Americans, it is important that we make sure that our children know of them, and about them – and actually know them while they still can. My generation knew the WWII generation – they were our parents and grandparents and neighbors. My first real knowledge of D-Day came from Glenn Landbloom, an older neighbor, who was there in 1944. I remember once meeting Adm. Arleigh “31-Knot” Burke as a kid at Bethesda Naval Hospital, an event which helped make the War in the Pacific just a little more real to an 11-year-old fifth-grader. We need to ensure that such opportunities are taken while they still can be.

I salute Mr. Reinwand for his service – and the teachers and children of Rapid River Elementary School for this act of service and kindness.

Posted by: Greg at 12:25 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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