WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Friday a lesson in patriotic pride came to a happy ending for a third grade class in West Jordan.
They have been writing a Utah soldier in Afghanistan for eight months and Friday the kids met their soldier in person.
First thing Friday morning a third grade class at Jordan Hills Elementary School said hello to their pen pall, for the first time, in person.
First Sgt. Bryan Smethurst said, "I'm here to meet them, face-to-face."
In August we introduced you to Mrs. Law and her class of letter writers. Mrs. Law's brother spent the past eight months Afghanistan. As a class, the students sent love to Afghanistan through letters and conversations through Skype.
But Friday, no internet was necessary.
After the class met their soldier, eight-year-old Kate Quintana told ABC 4 News, "He looks different."
Nine-year-old Anna Rasmussen wiped a tear from her eye and said, "I'm just so happy he is home."
Sgt. Smethurst gave a hello and a handshake to each of the students and left an American Flag he flew in Afghanistan to be displayed in the classroom.
In return, the children sang of their love of America and their pride in their soldier who came home safely.
Sgt. Smethurst said, "That's what you fight for and to be able to see that and the pride, it's good to see that."
