Young students thank local soldier for serving

Photos and story submitted by the Senior Kindergarten class at École publique Héritage.

Students at École publique Héritage had the privilege to meet Lt Peter Cooper of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Lt Cooper is on a 2 month leave from his 1st tour of duty in Afghanistan. Joshua Devost in junior kindergarten, Ethan Martineau in senior kindergarten and Taylor Martineau in grade 3 were very proud to assist their uncle in presenting a slide show of pictures taken in Kandahar. The nephews' 3 classes had sent Lt Cooper cards and pictures at Christmas time, so he was looking forward to being able to thank them personally for their kind gesture. The students were very humbled to see children in Afghanistan do not have many luxuries they take for granted, like televisions, computers and video games. Lt Cooper's slide show brought into clear focus how fortunate we are to have been born in a country that hasn't been torn apart by the travesties of war.

The young students were impressed by Lt Cooper's uniform and especially by being able to hold his very heavy helmet. The children were excited to have been able to meet a soldier they had corresponded with and thanked him and the Canadian Armed Forces for serving our country so proudly.