Letters

Teacher Linda Wawra’s fifth-graders at Harbor View Elementary School

in Corona del Mar discuss what they are thankful for.

I am thankful for being an American citizen and living in a land of

freedom and liberty. I’ve got a family and friends and a home. I am

thankful for every fireman and police officer who risked his life for

other people.

ERIK MUTZKE

This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for many things. I’m thankful for

America and especially for all the police and fire personnel. They have

played a huge part in everyone’s life ever since Sept. 11. I am also very

grateful to be with my family and friends this holiday season. They are

so close to me I don’t know what I would do if they had lost their life

in the Sept. 11 attacks. Those are the things I am thankful for this

Thanksgiving.

ERIN McADAMS

I’m thankful for everything in my life. I’m thankful for the home that

I sleep in and how my family treats me and that I live in a free country.

I can’t say all the things I’m thankful for, but the most thing I’m

thankful for is having God in my life. He has given me so much in life. I

am also thankful for the firemen and policemen and the real heroes in the

world.

RANDI JULLEN

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the police and fire personnel who

patrol and protect our country. I am also thankful for my wonderful

family, especially my mother and father. My parents have been so kind to

my two sisters and me because they have spoiled us by taking us to Costa

Rica, Washington D.C., Virginia, Colorado, and 17 other states. That’s

what I am thankful for.

DD DiCHIRO

I’m thankful for my friends, family, shelter and food. I’m also

thankful for my school, animals, protection and health. I’m thankful

because there are good policemen, firemen and lifeguards. For everything

I’m thankful for, I’m thankful to be alive.

AROLLE LYSACEK

I am thankful for a home and a roof over my head. Also, I am thankful

because I am able to have healthy food and because I get a great

education. The last reason is because I live in a secure country.

TRAVIS JONES

I am thankful for a lot of things. I am thankful for my family and my

friends. I am very grateful for the New York firemen for saving many

people and also that I am safe. I am very happy that I go to a great

school with wonderful people. I am so thankful for everything I have.

LINDSAY ZOTOVITCH

I am thankful for having such great parents who give me so much. I am

also thankful for the firemen who put out fires so many times and save

people’s lives. I have a lot of friends. I’m grateful for them too. I am

glad that I have a nice house to live in and food to eat. Those are just

some of the things I’m thankful for.

RYAN AKIBA

I’m thankful for being alive and being a little sister. I’m also

thankful for food, water, shelter and for the police who keep us safe.

I’m glad there are firemen who put out fires. Most important, I’m glad to

live in the United States and to be an American citizen.

CATHERINE SHUE

I am thankful for my shelter, food and water. I am alsothankful for my

safety. I thank the police and firemen for risking their lives to save

us. I believe it is very brave to do that for people they don’t even

know. Firemen and the police deserve many thanks.

RYAN KHOSH

What I’m thankful for is my family, friends, shelter and liberty. Our

country is sometimes called the melting pot because we have so many

people from different nations and everyone has a chance just like you or

me. I’m thankful for a lot. I’m sure if you ask everyone in the world,

they would have something to be thankful for.SEAN DONOVAN

I am thankful for my dad who is a police officer. I am also thankful

for the firefighters in New York. Without them, the fires might still be

burning. I am glad that there are so many generous people who are willing

to donate money to the families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11. That is

what I am thankful for.

NIKKO DAVID RE

I am thankful for my wonderful family and how they support me in

everything. I’m thankful for the nation I live in -- how we are free. We

get to go places and be able to do things. We come together. I’m thankful

for the protection that our nation has. I think I am very fortunate to

live in a nice house, in a nice community and go to one of the best

schools.

MASON SAYER

I am thankful for food, shelter and clothes. I am thankful for being

able to live in America, and have great parents, sisters, a brother and

friends who love and care for me. I am also thankful for the delicious

treats we have on Thanksgiving. I am the luckiest kid on the planet, and

I’m thankful for so much.

EMILY JACOB

I’m thankful for living in America where there are such great

firefighters. They always keep America protected. The firefighters are

always on the lookout keeping us safe. They risk their lives to save

people in danger, not even thinking twice about running into the World

Trade Center. That’s not all I’m thankful for. I’m also thankful for

being a citizen of such a wonderful free country where freedom rings

through every state. In America, you can live however you want to live.

That’s what I’m thankful for.

ANNA PALCHIKOFF

I’m very thankful because I have a wonderful family. I’m also very

thankful because we have wonderful fire and police personnel. Finally,

I’m very thankful because I’m an American.

MARISSA MORRILL

I am thankful for the police and firefighters in New York for being

really brave and saving people’s lives. I am also thankful for my nice

older brothers. Also, I am thankful for my parents. That is what I am

thankful for.

KAILEY ELLIS

I am thankful for many things. This year I’m especially thankful for

our country. I am also very thankful for the fire and police personnel.

Like always, I am really thankful for my wonderful family who has helped

pull me through hard times. Thank you Mama, Daddy and Matt. I am also

very thankful for my awesome friends, in both my new and old homes. I am

especially thankful for our President, who does a marvelous job. Thank

you, everyone.

CATHERINE FISHER

I’m thankful for my family because I always need them. I’m thankful

for my friends because I like someone to be with at my Blue Ribbon

School. I’m also thankful for having a wonderful house with food and

things to play with. I am thankful for my sisters even though they can be

a nuisance. I’m most thankful for being alive.

KELSEY PIAZZA

I am thankful for living in America, a country that is free. I am

thankful for the food farmers work for everyday and also the soldiers who

fought for freedom and our country. I’m thankful for my parents, who work

everyday, our President, who is leading our country very well, and our

past presidents, like Lincoln, who fought against slavery. Those are the

things I’m thankful for.

MILES KELLERMAN

I’m thankful for having the greatest life with a wonderful family and

for a great bunch of friends and the best school. I’m thankful for having

the best home in the United States. I’m thankful for the protection and

care I get. I’m thankful for everything in my life.

KAREN ISHII

I’m thankful for many different reasons. First of all, my parents

support me and so does my sister. I’m very thankful right now because I

feel safe in America. Last but not least, I’m very lucky to have friends

and go to a Blue Ribbon School. That’s why I am thankful.

KYNDRA MARALT

I’m thankful for my family and my friends. I’m also thankful for the

police personnel and the firemen. I’m thankful that we have a lot of food

where some places have none. I think we are the best country in the

world, and there is a lot to be thankful for.

JASON