Community Corner
Teens Thank Vets for Service in Letter Writing Campaign
The Riverhead Free Library's teen program helps bring some words of encourgement and appreciation to vetetans.
“Thank you for your braveness,” began a letter from a local teen that will be sent to the veterans at the Northport Veterans Administration Medical Center through the Riverhead Free Library’s teen program that was held this week.
Laura LaSita, head of the Teen Department at the library said, “We do this for Veterans Day, which is coming up, and also for Memorial Day. We had thirty-one letters this week. At the VA hospital the staff puts the letters on patients’ trays.”
The teens were urged to keep letters brief and simple. Another letter read, “I hope you all feel better soon. I would like to thank you for your service. Thank you for your amazing ability and willingness to help keep our country as we know it.”
The program was initiated by librarian Joyce Rienzo and Paulette Sherman, the library’s clerk, who said, “Joyce was formerly in the armed forces. She and I were talking one day and we thought it would be great to send letters to veterans both at the VA and overseas. The first time we did this we drove the letters to the hospital in Northport ourselves. It was a great experience.”
Letters to overseas troops are sent out during the holidays in December and Valentine’s Day. Sherman said, “We try to get information through local churches and schools about people from the area who are serving overseas.”
Quotes from some other letters:
“Hi, I’m pretty busy in school. I like coming to the local library for teen game night. Thanks for all you’ve done for our country.”
“Keep doing a good job. Thanks for keeping our country safe.”
“Thank you for being brave for this job. Thank you for supporting our country and risking your lives for us. Come back safe and come back soon.”
Anyone who knows someone in the service who might like to receive a letter, should call Laura LaSita at the library, 631-727-3228. For an interesting selection of letters written to soldiers throughout our history, visit www.greathistory.com.
The new teen section—“The Loft,” a title voted on by the teens—at the library just celebrated its third anniversary. Some of its upcoming programs: Henna Tattoos, October 28, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Horror Nite, October 29 (costumes encouraged); Anime Night, November 5; and in time for new Harry Potter movie, The Deathly Hallows, a Harry Potter Night, November 12, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
