Students craft surprise for soldiers

Truman Elementary fifth graders Iliana Aguilar, Emme Smith, Taityn Charles, Kaeth Zachary and Vasant Goswami Giri display some of the works third through fifth grade students created in Lisa Melton's art class for National Guard Sgt. Jeff Fanning and others serving with him in Afghanistan. Photo by Lynn A. Wade/Herald-Tribune.

Students at Truman Elementary have been preparing a special surprise -- heartfelt messages from home for a soldier who was once a student at Truman himself.

Sgt. Jeff Fanning wasn't the best student, art teacher Lisa Melton confides. Nicknamed Buck, the now 25-year-old was sometimes a handful, but all that changed as he grew older. Reaching adulthood, he joined the National Guard as soon as he was of age to do so and grew into a dedicated soldier and a respectful accomplished young man. Years after he was one of Melton's art students at Truman, he encountered her again and apologized for any trouble he might have been. "He's become such a respectful, responsible person," Melton said.

Now he's in Afghanistan, providing support to varied efforts there, and Melton and all of her art students at Truman have undertaken their special project to create pictures and letters for Fanning and his fellow soldiers.

Melton made the project a learning experience on many levels. "We looked at the globe, we talked about what it's like over there. It doesn't sound like the nicest place to be. We talked about Jasper Johns," an artist who created well-known images incorporating flags, maps, targets, and words. The children were encouraged to create something that would remind the soldiers of home; not something about the soldiers' surroundings in Afghan-istan.

A recent photo of Jeff and Jodee Fanning.

Fanning's wife Jodee said, "I know they will love to get these. They're excited even to get a package of sunflower seeds. Anything that reminds them of home. I think it's awesome."

Unless, of course, he reads this article online, Jeff Fanning will be surprised. "He knows he's getting something. He's not expecting anything like this," Jodee Fanning said.

So students made pictures thanking the soldiers for their service, creating all sorts of bright, colorful and unique works to be sent to Afghanistan. And each student wrote a letter as well. They talked about holidays and birthdays -- some asked questions and invited the recipient to write them back, but the students know the soldiers could have little opportunity to do so. Some simply wished them well; some even told jokes.

Jeff Fanning when he was a student at Truman Elementary, Nevada.

Another of Jeff Fanning's former teachers also enclosed a letter of her own.

The letters will be placed in envelopes that Melton was preparing to mail even as some students were adding final, finishing touches to their projects.

"I know they're going to completely appreciate this," Jodee Fanning said.