Local soldier visits pen pals

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — Returning soldier Logan Lynch paid a surprise visit to his fifth grade pen pals at Helen Morgan School this month.

Language arts teacher Susan LaBell has known the Lynch-Transier family for many years having taught Logan and his two sisters Hannah and Kacie.

A few years ago, thier mother Monica Lynch-Transier was a class mother. When Monica asked the teacher if her students would be interested in being pen pals to Logan, who was on active duty in Afghanistan, LaBell jumped at the chance.

Thirty-five language arts students began writing to Logan and some of his fellow soldiers.

“Students were very excited to learn about what it was like over in Afghanistan. They were curious about the weather there, what soldiers ate, what the soldiers did for fun, and of course, some wanted to know more serious details of war, which I tried to discourage,” said LaBell.

LaBell said that she prefer her students to focus on positive matters in order to bring cheer and help boost moral. They were also encouraged to share their experiences as a fifth grader and life as a 10-year-old in Sparta.

The pen pals were using descriptive writing along with pictures; many letters included the American flag. A tribute of a large photo of Logan in uniform hangs over the chalkboard.

“I wanted our focus to also include the pride and support we have for our military here, at home and in the U.S.," LaBell said.

The interaction became even more stimulating when students received responses from Afghanistan.

“As they read their letters, you could hear a pin drop in our classroom,” she said.

And everything came full circle for the students on April 15 when Lynch walked in their classroom. Reacting with awe and excitement when they saw the soldier dressed in uniform, one of the first questions fielded by Lynch was if his boots were comfortable.

More questions came up ranging from funny to serious, they include:

“What’s your favorite snack?”
“Does everyone have their head shaved?”

“Did you ever get detention?”
‘Have you ever met the president?”

“What kind of weapon do you use?”

“What motivates you?”
Although the students questioned the lack of pizza in Afghanistan, they also shared their concern about the third-degree burns that Lynch suffered while there.

Lynch answered all the questions with modesty and pride like a true soldier.