U. S. Army Staff Sgt. John Dodd and Spec. Jennifer Paulson surprised students at ECLC, on Thursday,
as they arrived and personally thanked them for all the letters and cards they had received from them,
while on tour in Afghanistan.

 

 

Soldiers Make Surprise Visit
to ECLC Students

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Dodd and Paulson visit with students in Mrs. Mabe, Mrs. Blount, and Mrs. Bolton's classes, on Thursday.

 

 

When students at both Lamar Elementary and ECLC began making cards and letters, they had no idea that they'd receive a personal visit from some of the soldiers that they had been preparing treats for. However, on Thursday, that's just what happened. As part of their studies students made Christmas cards and wrote letters to soldiers in Afghanistan,  and it was Sulphur Springs native, Staff Sgt. John Dodd and Spec. Jennifer Paulson, from West Millford, New Jersey, that arrived at school on Thursday, thanking the students for their support and cheer.

Staff Sgt. John Dodd, of Sulphur Springs, son of Randy and Jamie Dodd, and whose mother works at ECLC, was the perfect person for the students to send items to while on tour in Afghanistan. He and Paulson showed the students pictures of their letters and cards being enjoyed at Christmas in Afghanistan, and shared with the students just how much it meant for them to receive "word from home," when they were serving our country.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, at lunchtime, Dodd and Paulson joined the students in the school cafeteria and shared even more of their experiences with the students.

On Thursday afternoon, they also joined students at Lamar Elementary, as student and neighbor of the Dodd's, Kimberly Kenny, had encouraged her fellow students to send cards and letters to the soldiers.

Dodd and Paulson will be spending time in Hopkins County, with family and friends, and will return to duty on April 2nd.

 

 

Paulson and Dodd are shown with neighbor, Kimberly Kenny, at Lamar Elementary, on Thursday afternoon.

 

 

Thank You, Soldiers!!!!

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