Pen pals

I have a story to add to yours about middle-school students' sending nasty letters to the troops ("The Week," March 14). Last year at my university's multicultural fair, the College Republicans decided to set up a table where children could write letters to troops overseas. As my brother is in the Marine Corps, I was enthusiastic about helping with the project. The day was going well, and the response was generally positive until a girl, probably 14 or 15, came up and took a piece of paper and some markers. While I was busy playing with one of the children, the girl finished her card and put it in the mailbox we had set up. After she left, one of the other students manning the table called me over and showed me what the girl had drawn: a tank, on fire, with bodies strewn on the ground and the message, "Come home before this happens to you." We were both horrified and proceeded to fold up the card and put it to the side. Meanwhile, much younger boys drew scenes of Rambo-like soldiers in tanks, conquering the bad guys. It's interesting to see how five-year-olds can be more knowing than a teenager.

Sara Rose Cavalli

Fredericksburg, Va.

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