[4/05/03]Decked out in red, white and blue, students showed support Friday for American troops and President Bush at their school’s patriotic program.

As part of the Children’s House Montessori School’s Red, White and Blue Day, students penned letters to the president and to soldiers, wrote their names on a sign showing support and visited with military men and women.

“It is important to show our support because we have freedom and we should thank soldiers who gave it to us,” said 12-year-old Emily Ward, a seventh-grader who wrote a letter to the President.

“Going to war must be a tough decision,” she said. “I wanted to let him know that we support him and are praying for him.”

Jordan Strength, 11 and a sixth-grader, said the school, which has about 65 preschool to eighth-grade students, prays for the troops and the President every morning.

Fourth-grader Grace Vriesen, 10, was chosen to read her letter at the program.

“I was trying to say thank you to the soldiers for all they have done for the U.S. and keeping the civilians safe,” she said.

Sylvia Vriesen, who teaches fourth to eighth grades at the school, said showing support was important to students and teachers.

“This gave us an opportunity to share with one another how proud we are of our president, how proud we are of our troops and how proud we are to be Americans,” Vriesen.

Members of Vicksburg’s 412th Engineer Command, a U.S. Army Reserve unit, spoke to the students.

“We wanted our students to know without a doubt the sacrifices our troops made when they were called to war and that they do it willingly,” Vriesen said.

Roderick Cauthen, 13 and an eighth-grader, said though some soldiers may be nervous, they should be brave.

“It’s OK to be scared but sometimes you need to just go out there and serve your country,” he said.

Maj. Melody Harrington and her husband, Maj. Floyd Harrington, attended the program to share background and basic information with children.

“With what is going on in the world today, I know they have a lot of questions,” she said. “We’re here to answer those questions.

Harrington said talking to soldiers will ease some of the students’ minds.

“I think the students got a very good knowledge of what it means to support our troops and what our reserves and troops are involved in, which is freedom for all,” teacher Tommie Dillon said.

With a rally planned for Saturday and yellow ribbons tied around posts and trees across the city, the school’s patriotism is just one way Vicksburg residents are supporting troops.

“It seems as if there has been a resurgence of patriotism,” Harrington said. “People have been very demonstrative in their love for their country and freedom.”

Harrington said her office has been inundated with calls from people wanting to help.