Grade 5 students write cards to troops

Postcards for Canadian troops serving in Poland and for front line Defenders of Ukraine

This is our 3^rd year visiting Millbrook South Cavan Public School in our home village where we met with Grade 5 students as part of their global awareness studies and empathy development. They learned about Canadian troops serving overseas, and about Ukraine: where it is and what is happening in Ukraine, including in the educational lives of children, as well as about the women and men who are defending land, lives, culture and freedoms for Ukraine’s children. They also learned how mail systems work, how to write a postcard, and the meaning one can derive by writing a message of support to someone, whether one knows the person or they are someone far away who needs some words of support and encouragement.

Students wrote such messages to Defenders of Ukraine –

• All of us from Canada are rooting for you from the heart. Stay Strong. Sending warmth and loving wishes from Canada to the heroes of Ukraine.
• We have faith in you!
• I hope you are safe. I hope it will stop.
• We love you. You are doing great!
• We are thankful for everything you do for us, protecting kids, families and animals. Ви герої!
• We all remember all the things you do to protect. Дякую!
• We are here to help!
• We are all thankful for all the hard work you’ve done to keep everyone safe. I hope youre doing well and staying safe.
• Thank you so much for helping so hard for your country.
• You are amazing, strong and powerful. You can change the world 😊 !

Yes, we discussed language and why it’s nice to try at least one phrase in Ukrainian to demonstrate respect for all that Defenders are fighting to preserve.

As preparation for Remembrance Day, the students also wrote postcard messages to Canadian troops serving with NATO in Poland. Because this segment of our visit was their French lesson, students wrote their messages in both French and English. After all, Canada is officially bilingual. Some went an extra mile as they continued to practice their Ukrainian phrases as well; probably because we explained that some Canadian troops are working with Ukrainian Defenders. It’s so nice to see a ten-year-old write You are heroes! in English, French – Vous êtes des héros ! – and in Ukrainian, Ви герої!

Maybe you want to organize a group of family, friends or others to write postcards? Check our website for tips, How to Run a Postcard-Writing Workshop. Consider a group effort in the New Year, so that we can send a lot of messages of love and support in time to buoy up Defenders as February 22^nd approaches: the 4^th anniversary since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. No doubt, Defenders will appreciate some extra-special support at this time. Involve your children and grandchildren.

Need ideas about what to write? Check our Tips page, and our Ukrainian phrases page.

Share our website – postcardstothefrontcanada.com

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