a veteran poses with a young boy

Manuel “Bo” Bohannon with Teddy Nykamp

Courtesy of Valerie Krieger (Bohannon and Nykamp); Shutterstock.com (all other images)

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Thank You, Veterans!

November 4, 2024
By Alicia Green

For Veterans Day in 2021, Valerie Krieger wanted to thank the men and women of the United States military in a special way. So she had her students write letters to veterans. It was the start of a program called Operation SAVE. What began as one thank-you letter grew into something bigger. Students have become pen pals and formed friendships with military service members. 

“Many of the pen pals have already made lifelong connections,” says Krieger. She teaches fourth grade at Coloma Intermediate School in Michigan.

Honoring Our Veterans
Watch a video to learn more about what we celebrate on Veterans Day.

Forming a Bond

The students and their pen pals send letters to each other throughout the school year. The pen pals include both retired veterans and active members of the military and reserves. (Members of the reserves serve in the military part-time.) At the end of the year, the school holds a special luncheon where the students get to meet up with their pen pals in person.

Ten-year-old Teddy Nykamp has been pen pals with Manuel “Bo” Bohannon for nearly two years. Bohannon is Krieger’s brother. He served in both the U.S. Army and in the reserves. Through their letters, Teddy and Bohannon have gotten to know each other. One thing they have bonded over is their shared love of fishing. Teddy says he can’t wait to get new letters from Bohannon. He’s saved every one.

Bohannon says he joined the military to serve his country. He wasn’t looking for praise, but he appreciates it.

“It’s just nice hearing ‘Thank you for your service,’” he says.

Honoring Heroes

Each year, Americans celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Across the country, people hold parades or have ceremonies to thank the veterans in their communities.

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