U.S. Soldiers and Maryland Students Bond Through Year-Long Pen Pal Program
A unique bond has formed between fifth-grade students at Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington, Maryland, and U.S. Army Reserve soldiers stationed in Kuwait. The pen pal program, initiated by Rev. Anna Broadbent, an Episcopal chaplain, connected eight students with soldier volunteers based on shared interests. The soldiers are set to return home within a week and will visit the school on May 9, 2025.
The program began in September with letters exchanged between the students and soldiers. Despite the age difference and geographical distance, the students and soldiers found common interests and shared experiences, forming connections. One soldier, Army Spc. Jamir Matthews, who overcame a childhood stutter, offered to mentor his pen pal who also stutters. The students learned about Kuwait's hyper-arid desert climate and the challenges of sending mail to and from the country. None of the letters required censorship.
To show their appreciation, the students will present art they made for their pen pals, representing items the soldiers missed while deployed. The soldiers sent special patches featuring the U.S. flag and 'GEDS' to the students as a token of their friendship.
The pen pal program has fostered a unique friendship between the students and soldiers. The soldiers' visit on May 9, 2025, will be a culmination of this year-long exchange, allowing both parties to strengthen their bond and create lasting memories.
