It seemed only natural for Daniel Axford Elementary teacher Karen Lawler to have her first-graders send cards to a local man serving in Iraq.
Her mother, recently retired DA teacher Ella Mae Schultz, had her class of second-graders send U.S. Army Pvt. Robert Price letters and holiday cards ever since he joined the service in 2004.
Schultz was the 2004 Oxford High School graduate’s favorite teacher. He often visited her class when he was in town.
Price has been stationed with the Army’s tank division since the end of October at Camp Liberty, north of Baghdad, Iraq.
On Friday, Lawler had her students create Christmas cards with holiday greetings and well-wishes to Price.
Decorated with Christmas trees, candy canes, hearts and gingerbread men, the cards were sent out just in time for the holiday.
Lawler said many of the students understood what Price was going through because they had relatives serving overseas too.
She said it’s also important for the kids because Price is an Oxford grad.
‘I talked to the kids about someday how they’ll grow up and come back to see me and tell me what they’re doing in their lives,? she said.
If Price continues to be stationed in Iraq, Lawler said she will continue to have her students write to him or send cards.