Speakers tell students about Iraqi War
Thursday, May 8, 2003 Posted 3:00 p.m. Reported by Lila McCulley
Fred Baker
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Shirley Barth
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The third grade students in Lila McCulley's class have sent e-mails and letters to soldiers in Iraq.
On April 25, Mr. Fred Baker spoke about his son and Mrs. Shirley Barth spoke about her daughter-in-law.
Although there had been quite a lot of discussion about the troops, and the students had also sent cards
to David Theis, a Rutland man and Jerry Lay, a Minonk man, it became a little more personal when they
heard about Dennis Baker and Michelle Barth. Dennis's sister, Marion Kennel had been one of their first
grade teachers. Michelle's mother-in-law had worked at South until this year, and they knew Michelle
Barth is the mother of one of their former classmates.
Mr. Baker told about the C130E Hercules that
Major Baker flies. They learned that the plane carries heavy loads, such as jeeps, trucks, ammo, food,
and other supplies. They also heard about the night vision goggles that allow the pilots to fly the
supplies in at night.
Mrs. Barth told about the Navy's amphibious assault ship that Michelle works on.
Students learned that part of the ship's cargo was Marines and their equipment. Students listened
intently to what life has been like for Dennis and Michelle since leaving the states. They were
surprised to learn it took Dennis's plane 3 days to get to the Middle East, and it took Michelle's
ship 5 weeks. Students then wrote letters to Dennis and Michelle expressing their hope for a safe
and speedy return to the U.S.
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