a young boy posing with a veteran

Manuel “Bo” Bohannon with Teddy Nykamp

Courtesy of Valerie Krieger (Bohannon and Nykamp); Shutterstock.com (all other images)

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Honoring Veterans

November 4, 2024
By Alicia Green

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.

Thank You, Veterans!

Each year, Americans celebrate Veterans Day on November 11. It’s a time to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. Across the country, people hold parades or have ceremonies to thank the veterans in their communities.

  1. How did Operation SAVE begin?
  2. What does the author mean when she writes that Teddy Nykamp and Manuel “Bo” Bohannon “bonded over their shared love of fishing”?
  3. According to the sidebar, “Thank You, Veterans!,” what are some ways Americans celebrate Veterans Day?
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