DEAR ABBY: My sixth-grade students and I would like to salute Capt. Michael Casper of the U.S. Army, currently stationed in Tuzla, Bosnia, with whom we became acquainted through your Operation Dear Abby holiday letter-writing campaign. Since November of last year, when he received and replied to a letter written by one of my students, Capt. Casper has become a friend, teacher and very special person in our lives.
Through him we have come to learn more in a personal way about our world. In fact, after hearing that the children near him had no school to attend because it was bombed, we recently completed a school-wide drive for pencils and other school supplies. As I write, a package is in the mail to Bosnia, where Capt. Casper will film the distribution of the supplies at a local refugee center and send us the videotape.
Fortunately, we have been able to correspond through e-mail. In his messages he challenges my students to learn about world geography and informs them about the various places where he's been stationed. He has demonstrated in many ways that he cares about my students.
Abby, in addition to recognizing this fine serviceman, I would like to thank you for setting up the program that brought us together. Keep up the good work. -- GEORGANN COON, SIXTH-GRADE TEACHER, E.E. KNIGHT SCHOOL, ELSIE, MICH.
DEAR MS. COON: Thank you for an upper of a letter. I have often said that my readers are the most thoughtful and generous people in the world. One of the most powerful forces for good is generated when people reach out to help each other.