Editor's note: The following are letters written by Grade 5 students in Jared Rutledge's class at Terry Fox Elementary School on Livingstone Street East in Barrie. "My class worked very hard to show how much they learned and care about the Canadian veterans that fought for our country in the Great War," Rutledge says.
*************************
Dear Thomas Clark,
Born in 1896-08-04
I am Evan. I am 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I am writing this letter because I am thankful for your service.
I learned in the gas war that they shot chlorine gas into the trenches. Soldiers were not able to breathe. They tried to stop the gas by going to the bathroom on a cloth and holding it over their face. What would happen if you didn't have to go to the bathroom?
I learned that they dug the trenches with their bare hands and shovels. Soldiers had to deal with trench foot fleas and lice. Rats got everywhere. How did you manage in those terrible conditions?
I learned that in Passchendaele the mud was so deep you could drown. 15,000 + Canadian soldiers died to take Passchendaele. Five months later the Germans took it back. They needed duckboards to get across the mud. How did The Germans take it back?
I really admire your bravery. I am grateful that you fought for our country. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Evan
Dear Mr. Robert Robbins,
Born 1978-03-27
My name is Sofia. I am 10 years old and I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I am very thankful for what you did to help us. I can not believe you left home, family and friends for us to defend our country, Canada, during World War One. My country was part of the Triple Entente.
Now I am going to tell you what I learned about trenches. I learned that trenches were dug in the ground to help protect the soldiers during battles. They were very muddy, wet and filled with mud and water when it rained. It was hard for soldiers to sleep in the trenches. They often attracted huge rats and mice, fleas, lice, and all sorts of other things like diseases. Also, that it hid you and the other soldiers from enemies in the other trenches across the no man's land. Was it scary and stressful to be there during WW1?
I also learned about the Creeping Barrage and that if you make one wrong move you can kill all lot of your own men, it was very dangerous. You have to follow the plan very carefully so you can’t hit your men. Also, you used this so you could get to the Triple Alliance’s side of no man’s land, and get in those trenches. Did any of your artillery men get a shell, which was a bomb full of hot metal that exploded when it hit the ground, into the enemy's trenches?
The last thing I wanted to tell you about are the types of gases soldiers used in the war. The first was chlorine gas that could kill or badly injure soldiers. A soldier found out that urine soaked handkerchiefs could protect you from this gas. The next gas was called mustard gas that could burn, badly injure and blister your skin. These gases were very toxic and dangerous. Did you ever get in a situation where you had to get away from these gases?
I can't explain how grateful I am for your bravery during the war. Even though I don’t know you, I am very thankful for what you did to help us.
Love,
Sofia
Dear Mr. William Zielke,
Hi my name is Cameron. And I am writing to you because it is sad that you got killed. I go to Terry Fox School because of you. Thank you for everything.
How big were the rats?
Most soldiers who served on the Western Front would later recall how rats grew in boldness, stealing food that had been laid down for just a few moments. Rats would also crawl across the face of sleeping men. As they gorged themselves on food so they grew, with many rats reportedly growing to the size of cats.
When were the ww1 rifles built?
The rifles used in the First World War were developed between 1886 and 1903. The diameter of the barrel fluctuated between 6.5 millimeters and eight millimeters. During the war, these shorter weapons were also used by the trench infantry because they were convenient.
Thank you for everything you have done for the country.
Sincerely,
Cameron
Dear Mr. Joseph Wolfe,
Born 1887-09-15
My name is Annika, I go to Terry Fox Elementary school, and I am 10 years old. You are so brave, going to fight for your own country in a battle, thank you.
Today I am going to tell you about Passchendaele. I can not believe that the mud was so thick and so high that you could drown in it. Canadians did not want to go to Passchendaele at all, before they got to Passchendaele the Ozzies, the British, and the Kiwis were fighting at Passchendaele. I've been wondering what it was like to sleep in a trench?
I also learned about the creeping barrage. The soldiers working the artillery gun had to be very precise while aiming it, and the soldiers in the battle field had to be in sync while creeping up to the Germans trench. When the Canadians were firing artillery the Germans had bunkers they could hide in, to protect them from the artillery shells. Did you ever get scared while creeping up to the Germans trench?
Lastly I learned about how Arthur Currie was the first person to tell all the soldiers the plan for the battle of Vimy Ridge. At Vimy Ridge Arthur Currie, Julian Byng, and Andrew McNaughton, came up with a plan that led the Canadians to victory at Vimy. What was it like at Vimy Ridge?
I am very thankful for what you and your comrades did. If you and your comrades did not fight for this country, I would not be here right now. Thank you.
Yours truly,
Annika.
Dear Maurice Robinson,
Born in 1887-05-04
My name is Brooklyn. I'm 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I am writing this letter to tell you what I learned about World War 1 and how thankful I am for when you went to World War 1. I can't believe you had to leave your home, friends , and family to go to war.
I am going to tell you what I learned about a Creeping Barrage. Andrew McNaughton created the Creeping Barrage. During a Creeping Barrage artillery shot out shells in front of the soldiers and when it hit the ground it would make smoke and the soldiers would creep to the Triple Alliance side. It had to be very precise or you could kill your own soldiers. Would you guys wear anything on your ears to prevent the gun shots from hurting them?
This is what I learned about trenches. It was a hand dug ditch in the ground. It was horrible! There were rats, mice, fleas and lice. It must have been very hard to sleep and live in these conditions. There were things called Duckboards that the soldiers would build out of anything they could find. Duckboards were used to be put at the bottom of the trenches so the soldiers wouldn't sink in the mud. Did you have to stay in the trenches for almost the whole WW1?
Also what I learned about the mud was that it was all over the battlefield. There were such big puddles of mud soldiers could even drown in it. The mud would go up to the soldier's thighs. Would the trenches sometimes be flooded with water?
I am so thankful for what you have done. If you didn't I wouldn't be writing this letter to you. Thank you so much.
Love,
Brooklyn
Dear Harold Walters Ross,
Born 1896-5-28
My name is Lincoln and I'm 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. Thank you for going out to battle for our country. In my letter I am going to talk about the creeping barrage, Vimy Ridge and Trenches.
I learned that when you use the creeping barrage your shots have to be precise so you don't blow up your teammates and you need 4 people to carry an artillery shell.
The battle of Vimy Ridge proved to be a great success, but it came at a heavy cost. The some 100,000 Canadians who served there suffered more than 10,600 casualties, nearly 3,600 Vimy Canadians won using the creeping barrage. Canadians used creeping barrage to creep across the battlefield while the artillery fired a line of shells in front of the Canadians causing a wall of smoke and shrapnel so the Canadians could get out of there trenches and walk across no man's land hidden by the debris and the smoke while the artillery hit the Germans trenches with shells
Living in the trenches was miserable because the more it rained the more soldiers got trench foot. Trench foot means that your feet are always humid and wet. To stay dry the soldiers made wooden bridges called duckboards. In the trenches there were mice, big rats, lice and fleas.
Thanks for everything you did to keep this country safe. You are the reason I'm here right now. I could not leave my family. What made you want to join the war? I do not know how you were brave enough to do that. I don't even think I can say thank you because it seems, words are not enough.
Sincerely,
Lincoln
Dear Arthur Woodrow,
March 29, 1897.
My name is Abubakr I am 10 years old and I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I really appreciate what you have done to fight in such a war leaving your family, friends, and cousins.
I learned that the trenches were a miserable place to sleep in when it was freezing. In the freezing trenches, it was filled with mice, fleas, lice, rats and a bunch of other stuff. How did you sleep in the freezing cold trenches?
I learned that the creeping barrage was used to get across no man’s land. Someone exploded the ground and soldiers would run when there was smoke. Who made up the creeping barrage?
I learned that the battle of Passchendaele was so bad it was filled with mud and if you fell in the mud you could drown and die. The battle lasted for 3 months and 1 week. 10, 600 Canadians died at the battle of Passchendaele. Why was there so much mud there?
Thank you for what you have done to Canada to fight in the war. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Abubakr
Dear Mr. John Rob
Born 1890
My name is Ebrahim. I am 10 years old and I go to Terry Fox elementary school. I am writing this letter because I am so grateful for what you did for Canada.
Mr. John Rob I am going to tell you what I learned about trenches. I learned that the trenches were a cold place. That there were mice, lice, flies, and rats as big as cats. You would sleep in the trenches and your enemy would try to attack you all the time. If you got trench foot it was very bad and it hurt alot. How would you avoid it? Did the big rats try to eat you when you were sleeping?
Mr. John Rob now I am going to tell you what I learned about the creeping barrage. I learned that it was a very dangerous thing and if you didn't do it right you would kill your own soldiers. You had to be very precise with the shells that the people were shooting. The soldiers that were running had to coordinate every step they took. How long did it take to do the creeping barrage?
Mr. John Rob now I am going to tell you what I learned about N.M.L. I learned it was super dangerous and if you went over the top you were running towards people who were shooting at you. How many times did you go into No man's land?
I´m so grateful for what you did for Canada. I can't believe you would leave your home and family to go fight in a deadly war. If you didn't go I would not be here right now.
Sincerely,
Ebrahim
Dear Albert Dallaire,
My name is Ellyauna, I'm 10. I go to Terry Fox Elementary school. My teacher is Mr. Rutledge and he's teaching us about WW1. Now I'll tell you what I learned,
I learned about how gross the trenches were and about all the rats, bugs, and lice that lived in there. How freezing cold it was. I also learned that the rats in the trenches would sometimes eat the dead. So what if the rats thought when you were sleeping that you were dead and bit you? Also, exactly how big were the rats?
Another thing I learned was that in vimy ridge the creeping barrage was used. It must have been nerve racking with shells landing right beside you and being pressured to run towards the people that are trying to kill you. I can't believe over 3,600 people died in Vimy Ridge just for it to be recaptured 4 days later. What were your thoughts when you signed up for the war?
I also learned 800 Newfoundlanders went into the Battle of the Somme and only 68 came to roll call the next morning. The battle of the Somme began the morning of July 1st and had 24,029 deaths. It's terrible. What did you guys eat in the war?
I can't find the right words to say thank you but I really am. I know you won't see this but just know, you and your fellow troops are amazing.
Your friend,
Ellyauna
Dear Warner Edward Boyer,
1882-08-26
Hello, my name is Cooper. I am in grade 5 and I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I am writing this letter to you because my classmates and I want to thank you for fighting for our country and I am going to tell you some of the facts I learned.
Living in the trenches was horrible, with all the flies, fleas, and rats the size of CATS! There was also a disease called trench foot. I also learned that there was a ton of rain so that would mean there would be very muddy. I have a question, how did you make all those duckboards so you don’t fall in the mud?
The creeping barrage must have been handy, using all of those shells to explode the Germans base. How heavy were the shells?
You must have been so brave to go over the top and charge at the Germans. The Artillery men
had to be so precise. Did you have some sort of communication device to communicate?
The battle of Passchendaele must have been dreadful, with all of that bottomless mud.
I can’t believe that you were brave enough to go through no man’s land and attack the other soldiers. I have a question. After the battle of Passchendaele, did you go back into no man’s land and get all the other wounded men?
If it weren't for you I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Thank you for everything you did to save our country. Thank you for everything amazing you have done for us.
Sincerely,
Cooper
Dear Albert Parker,
Born may 11
Hi, my name is Liam and I chose to write to you because you are an amazing soldier.
Some things I have learned about world war 1 are Italy refused to join the Triple Alliance after the war began. The battle of the Somme began July 1st. The battle of Vimy Ridge was very important in Canadian History. Arthur Currie was the Canadian commander of Vimy and Andrew McNaution was the person who created the creeping barrage. The chlorine gas was poisonous. Many women served in the war as nurses and medics.
Arthur Currie was the Canadian Commander of Vimy Ridge. His plan made the battle of Vimy Ridge successful and made him memorable for over 100 years. Andrew McNauton was the person who came up with the creeping barrage. The creeping barrage is a tactic to get to the enemies side so they can attack them. It took a very long time to get there. I wonder how the trenches were that big?
I think if I was in the war, I would be very scared of the chlorine gas. It was really toxic and many people died because of it. I learned that to survive, soldiers would pee on a cloth and hold it up to your face. It sounds weird but I'm sure it saved many people's lives.
I was really surprised to learn that many women served in the war as well as men. Over 3000 women served as medics and saved lives everyday. I wonder if they volunteered or were drafted?
Thank you so much for freeing Canada so we can live in a safe environment.
Sincerely,
Liam
Dear Adolphus Spence,
Born 1895
My name is Tristan. I'm 10 years old and I am from Terry Fox school. My teacher’s name is Mr. Rutledge. I am in grade 5. I was learning about the creeping barrage in world war 1 at school and I thought it was interesting. I want to find out how many artillery guns were used in one creeping barrage. I also want to know how many accidents happened during the war.
I can't believe you had to go to WAR and go to NO MAN’S LAND!!! I also learned that you were running away from bombs and snipers.
I am so thankful for what you did for all of us. I wish you were still here because you deserve it. I want to say thank you but words are not enough. Thank you
Sincerely,
Tristan
Dear Mr. Henry John Baker,
Born June 14, 1901
My name is Crystal and I go to Terry Fox Elementary school. I want to thank you for my freedom and the rest of Canada's. You were brave enough to leave your home and family to fight on a battlefield and risk your life.
I learned that you lived in a trench with lots of other people. It was also freezing cold and there were rats, lice, fleas and mud everywhere. There were also no trees with leaves and No Man's Land had a lot of smoke. It looked very dead and there wasn't any grass or living things other than humans fighting with guns in the daytime. The mud was very thick and could sink your foot in there if you ever stepped into it. Lots of soldiers got trench foot and found it hard to run. The conditions you lived in were horrible. How would you have slept if there was mud everywhere and remembering all the people who died on the battlefield?
The creeping barrage was also something I learned about. It was when an artillery gun would shoot out shells to create a smoke cover. Then soldiers would have specific steps to take when they went into the smoke, so they could go into the germans trenches. The artillery gunners had to be precise when firing the shells. Was it hard to breathe with all the smoke?
So many people died and lots got sick and injured. Over 61,000 Canadians died in WW1 and 172,000 were wounded. It is very sad how many men went to war and how many returned. I hope you did not lose too many friends in the war.
I wrote this letter because I am so very grateful for your sacrifice for Canada. You are a hero.
Sincerely,
Crystal
Dear Albert Henry Hardwick,
Born 1895-01-12
Hi my name is Mackenzie. I am 9 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School, I'm in Mr. Rutledge's class. It made me really sad when Mr. Rutledge told me about World War 1.
We learned about trenches. The trenches were a bad place to be. There were rats, mice, lice and fleas. It was muddy and when it rained they needed to put down duck boards to step on because the mud was too deep to walk through.
Next we learned about the creeping barrage. The creeping barrage was really dangerous. The creeping barrage used artillery guns to distract the enemy so the soldiers could creep up on them. It took 4 men to carry 1 shell for the creeping barrage. How the creeping barrage worked is the soldiers hide in the trenches. Then the soldiers who were working the creeping barrage would tell the soldiers in the trenches to walk slowly forward. The creeping barrage needed to be aimed perfectly or they would kill their own soldiers.
Finally we learned about Passchendaele. The Canadian soldiers did not want to go to Passchendaele, they knew the impossible task that was ahead. They had heard there were bottomless fields of mud that you could drown in because there was nothing to grab on too. In the end the Canadians were able to take over Passchendaele because they were so brave.
I am really thankful because if the soldiers didn't go to war, our country would not have freedom, and my life would be very, very different.
Sincerely,
Mackenzie
Dear Mr.Ruben Ludle Nevers,
My name is London and I am 10 years old. I really found it interesting to learn about WWI, but I was very sad about what I learned.
I learned that Canadians took part in the battle of Passchendaele from October to November in a muddy corner of Belgium. Canadians overcame almost unimaginable hardship to capture this strategic village.
The battle at Vimy began on Ap.9/1917 and ended on Ap.13/1917. Arthur Currie was the Canadian commander at Vimy. Well if I could meet you in person I would be thanking you and saying ¨Thank you for saving the world. Just thank you so much¨.
Thank you for saving this world because I would not be here right now and thank you so much.
You will always be remembered.
Sincerely
London
Dear, Alberte Elshlawker,
Born March 12 1894
My name is Haniya. I am 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. I am in grade 5. I have just recently learned about World War 1.
I am really thankful that you fought in World War 1 for our country. I can't believe you would leave your home and family to go fight in a deadly war. I like how brave you were to fight in World War 1. I could never fight a war, that is why what you did is really special to me. November 11 is also special for me. I want to ask you, why did people go to World WW1?
I am really proud of the people that fought in World War 1. I know that 11,285 Canadians died at Vimy Ridge. Who was the first person to think of going to Vimy Ridge?
I know that people lived in trenches and there were really big rats there and so many bugs. I would not like going there.
I learned so much about Passchendaele. I learned that there was so much mud in Passchendaele that people could drown in it! What I learned about the Creeping Barrage was that when artillery landed everything would explode. Did you fire artillery in the Creeping Barrage? Were you scared during the Creeping barrage? If someone even made a small mistake everything would explode around them and maybe kill them.
I know that the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Were you there when it was signed? Were you happy when the armistice was signed? Did you celebrate? Did you like any Germans or Italians?
When you went to the war did you think it would be so dangerous? Where did you get your supplies when it rained? Were you told to go to no man's land when it rained? When you were a kid did you think of war?
Thank you very much for saving our country. I can not say how thankful I am. I like how so many Canadians fought in World War 1 because it shows how brave they were. I can’t believe so many soldiers were able to leave their families and go fight a war. I will always remember them.
Sincerely,
Haniya
Dear Mr. Samuel Sykes,
Born 1886-01-03
My name is Fiona, I am 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox Elementary School. Thank you so very much for sacrificing your life for our country. You changed many people’s lives and fought for us Canadians as well for what’s right. Leaving your family must have been hard and I could never imagine leaving mine.
Today I’m going to tell you what I learned about Passchendaele and the horrible conditions that soldiers went through there. It was very muddy, swampy and it rained most of the time. A lot of soldiers got something called Trench Foot because of how moist, muddy and how wet their feet were. There were many rats as big as cats, mice, and lice. Many of the soldiers got diseases from the rats in their trenches. Did you battle at Passchendaele?
I also learned what a Creeping Barrage is. The Artillery gunners would shoot hot metal shells at an exact angle which blew up and shattered everywhere. Then soldiers would travel behind them when they blew up, and over to the other side where the enemies were, but you needed to be careful because you could kill some of your own men. What was it like running behind the shells? Did the enemies catch you??
The last thing I wanted to talk about is that during the war people wore masks over their noses and mouths to protect themselves from the Influenza Virus during the 1918 - 1919 outbreak. Did many soldiers get this virus? How well did they handle this virus at war?
I just wanted to say that I am so, so very grateful for you fighting for yourself, Canadians and Canada. You and every soldier will always have a place in our hearts. I really can’t express how thankful I am.
Yours Truly,
Fiona
My name is Kaden. I’m 10 years old. I go to school at Terry Fox E.S and my teacher Mr.Rutledge is teaching me about World War 1. You were probably very scared and you probably missed your family a lot and your friends a lot too.
I want to tell you all I know about trenches. I know when it was raining you used duck boards so you did not get stuck in the deadly mud, and there were mice, rats bigger than cats, lice and fleas.
I’m telling you all I know about an artillery gun. I know it shot out big shells that probably weighed a lot. I know it took 4 men to lift the shells into the artillery gun. I know there were 2 controls on the artillery gun so one of the levers made it go up or down and the other lever made it go side to side.
The chlorine gas was a gas that killed a lot of soldiers. Some soldiers survived because they peed on their handkerchief and then breathed through it.
I’m so thankful for what you did for our country and I would not be here right now if it wasn’t for your sacrifice. You saved us and I know words are not enough, but thank you.
Sincerely,
Kaden
Dear Albert Weston,
My name is Ben. I go to Terry Fox elementary school. My teacher's name is Mr. Rutledge. It must be sad to leave your family. I learned about Vimy Ridge and that 10 600 Canadians died there. I also learned about trenches and how disgusting trenches are.
Trenches were horrible. There were rats big as cats, lice and trench foot there. I learned that soldiers had to leave the trench, the only place that they were safe, to run towards the Germans who were trying to shoot them! I also learned that soldiers put duckboards on the ground in the trench so they didn't get trench foot. Did you ever go over the top?
The Creeping Barrage was also horrible. Soldiers had to fire the artillery gun and when the artillery hit the ground smoke would appear. Then soldiers would leave the trench and hide behind the smoke. The soldiers would repeat this again and again. Sometimes soldiers would run into an artillery shell because the soldiers didn't get the artillery gun to shoot correctly and the artillery shell would land on their own soldiers. Did you survive the Creeping Barrage?
No Man’s land was horrible. Soldiers would leave their trench and run to the Germans but they had to cross No Man’s Land first. There were dead bodies, wounded soldiers, and barbed wire. I can't believe how soldiers were brave enough to run into No Mans Land.
I wrote this letter to remember you and all the soldiers that fought in WW1. I want to say thank you for making this a peaceful country.
Yours truly,
Ben.
Dear Harry lewis.
Born 1896-06-22
My name is Margaret, I’m 10 years old and I go to Terry Fox elementary school. I’m so proud to be Canadian because of people like you. In this letter I want to tell you about what I learned about No Man's Land, the creeping barrage and the trenches.
I learned about No Man's Land and how awful it was because of all the barbed wire and the mud. Was it scary to be in the war and how many people died?
I also learned about the creeping barrage and how it took four men to lift one shell. How many shells did you use in world war one? Were you lucky enough to get the shell into the Germans trench?
I learned about the trenches and all the things that lived in the trenches like lice, mice, and rats. Trench foot is something that you can get in a trench because if your feet cannot dry out you could get trench foot. It makes it hard to run and walk. Were you one of the people who could go in a trench?
I could not do the things that you did and I can't think of any way to express how to say thank you because you stood up for the people who can't. Thank you so much for your service.
Sincerely,
Margaret
Dear Mr. Reasbeck Edward Poppy,
Born july 08,1891
My name is Danilo. I am 10 years old. I go to Terry Fox elementary school. I am writing this letter because I want you to know how thankful I am that you would give up your life to fight for Canada.
I am going to share with you what I have learned about Ypres. Ypres started on April 22, 1915 and ended on May 5, 1915. Ypres was the first battle where the Germans used chlorine gas on the Triple Entente. Ypres was where John McCrae was inspired to write the poem in Flanders Fields. Were you in Ypres? And if you were, did you send your family a letter about it?
Vimy Ridge started on the morning of April 9, 1917 and ended on April 12,1917. Canadian general Arthur Currie and McGill scientist Andrew McNaughton along with British General Julian Byng had made a plan to take the German fortress at Vimy Ridge. General Arthur Currie was the first general to ever tell his soldiers the plan while Andrew McNaughton coordinated the creeping barrage artillery tactic. Did you know anyone who went to Vimy Ridge and if you did and they survived, what did they say about it?
I learned that the Canadians did not want to go to Passchendaele because they had been to Belgium before, and they knew the near impossible task that they would face. The British with the Australians and New Zealanders were repelling the German counter attacks and slowly advanced forward. The Canadians moved to the front lines at the end of October and they used duck boards to allow them to move through the muddy surface. General Arthur Currie was the Canadian commander there and on November 10, 1917 they captured Passchendaele. Later that spring the Germans had nearly taken all the territory the Canadians had gained back. How did you feel when you heard that the Germans had recaptured Passchendaele?
I am really thankful for what you did because if you didn’t the world would be very different.
Sincerely,
Danilo
Dear Mr. Robert Hunter,
My name is Leah. I'm In grade five. I go to Terry Fox Elementary school and I'm currently nine years old. I want to say thank you for what you did for us. You must be very strong to be fighting in a war. I still can't believe that you would fight in a war for Canada.
Did you hear about the creeping barrage? The creeping barrage is when artillery gunners shoot shells while their soldiers run to the enemy's trenches. Did you ever go in a creeping barrage?
I learned that in trenches, there were rats the size of cats as well as lice and fleas. It was cold and mudy and there were lots of diseases. Trenches were made by hand. Did you get sick? Did the artillery barrage scare the rats?
Passcendeale is a very scary place to fight. I still can't believe people fought there. Some soldiers even drowned in mud while fighting! 15,654 Canadian soldiers died in Passchendaele. The Battle of Passchendaele sounds very scary. Did you fight in the Battle of Passchendaele?
Thank you for fighting for us and serving our country. I am very grateful for your hard work and grit. You were very strong to fight for Canada. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Leah
