Eggers service members learn Civics lesson from the hearts of school children

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin | Petty Officer 2nd Class Heather Seaward of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, passes out a red, white and blue boutonniere to Army Lt. Col. Francesca Ziemba of the CSTC-A Command Group. More than 3,000 boutonnieres were sent to Camp Eggers to distribute to service members during the Independence Day holiday.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.04.2008

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Petty Officer 1st Class Douglas Mappin
Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan — "Dear Soldier, I am sending you a smile. I care about you. Sincerely, Ashtyn." This note, one of 3,000 from students in Mount Pleasant, Mich., was handed to a service member at Camp Eggers during this year's celebration of Independence Day.

As part of "Project R.O.S.E.B.U.D.," messages were attached to cards adorned with red, white and blue boutonnières and sent to deployed troops. The program was born in 1990 when Dr. Larry Baran, a special education teacher in the southeast Chicago school districts, spearheaded various community service projects involving his disabled and special education students.

For the past 18 years, disabled school children have assembled and distributed more than 4 million miniature lapel boutonnières to American servicemembers and dignitaries worldwide since Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

According to Patricia Kjolhede, a Beal City Public Schools elementary school teacher in Mount Pleasant, the project has been a Civics lesson in the making, and one from the heart.

"I have been doing Project Rosebuds with Dr. Baron since he first started the project. My second and third graders wrote notes with the boutonnières," Kjolhede said. "As a result of our efforts, we had some wonderful discussions about patriotism and service."

In addition to writing to servicemembers, the students have presented boutonnières at various high-profile events in Washington, D.C. and a ceremony in New York City honoring firefighters and victims who died during the events on 9/11. During this year's Independence Day celebration at Camp Eggers, the boutonnieres were passed out to service members honoring their service.

"I think it's great to know the kids back home are talking about us and that they're thinking of us," said McAllen, Texas, native Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Cowan. "I am touched the kids care about us so much that they'd take the time to remember us."

Baran and his students from across the United States have taken pride in ensuring deployed service members are remembered as they serve overseas. In more recent years Baran has limited his involvement with Project R.O.S.E.B.U.D.

Disabled from complications due to cancer, Baran retired from teaching in 1997. In spite of his current battle with cancer, he is still involved in the efforts to honor America's servicemembers.

"I am still perpetually looking to continue to use my time, talent and treasure to make an impact," Baran said. "When you are centered from the heart you can go and touch the world!"

Kjolhede said the project requires little effort, but the lessons learned are life long.

"My students have learned that caring doesn't need to cost money. It takes only time and thoughtfulness," she said.

• Date Taken: 07.04.2008
• Date Posted: 07.04.2008 08:23
• Story ID: 21177
• Location: KABUL, AF