Manuel “Bo” Bohannon with Teddy Nykamp
Courtesy of Valerie Krieger (Bohannon and Nykamp); Shutterstock.com (all other images)
Honoring Veterans
It was 2021. Valerie Krieger wanted to thank the men and women of the U.S. military. So she had her students write letters to veterans. This was the beginning of a program called Operation SAVE. Students have become pen pals with military service members. Many have become friends.
“Many of the pen pals have already made lifelong connections,” says Krieger. She teaches fourth grade at Coloma Intermediate School in Michigan.
Forming a Bond
Ten-year-old Teddy Nykamp has been pen pals with Manuel “Bo” Bohannon for nearly two years. Bohannon is Krieger’s brother. The pen pals got to know each other through their letters. They bonded over their shared love of fishing. Teddy says he can’t wait to get new letters from Bohannon. He saves every one.
The students and their pen pals send letters to each other during the school year. They meet up at a special luncheon at the school at the end of the year.
Bohannon says he joined the military to serve his country. He wasn’t looking for thanks. But he appreciates it.
“It’s just nice hearing ‘Thank you for your service,’” he says.
