Valentines for soldiers

Pvt. Tim Pahman Jr. will receive a lot of Valentines.

One Decatur private has a lot of Valentines.

Pvt. Tim Pahman, Jr. and members of the 44th Signal Battalion will receive 300-400 cards and letters this Valentine’s Day.

The cards and letters were written by students in the Madison City schools, and collected by Tim’s uncle, Nathan Pahman, an honors algebra teacher at Liberty Middle School.

“Everybody will get a chance to read five or so letters to boost their spirits,” Pahman said.

Tim’s Active Duty Army unit has been stationed in Afghanistan for the past 10 months.

Tim’s wife, Heather, contacted Pahman in December, and told him the morale of Tim’s unit was low because a lot of soldiers could not go home for Christmas.

Heather suggested Pahman have a few of his students write letters to the unit to cheer them up.

Pahman then contacted the principals of all Madison city elementary and middle schools, and asked them to invite their students to write to the soldiers.  

“They didn’t have to do this,” Pahman said. “They wanted to.”

Pahman said he had an overwhelming response from students.

“I wanted them to know we care about them,” said Meg O’Bryant, an eighth grader at Liberty Middle School. “I thought it was important because they’re away from their families.”

She said writing to the soldiers inspired her to want to join the military one day.

“That’s definitely something I’d like to do,” Bryant said. “To know I’m helping the United States.”

Another eighth grader at Liberty Middle School said she knows how military families feel because her dad was in the Air Force.

“I’m sure they miss their families,” Casey Campbell said. “I missed my dad when I couldn’t see him.”

Campbell said she wanted the soldiers to know how much they are appreciated.

“I think it makes them feel special to know other people appreciate that they’re risking their lives for us,” she said.

Pahman said he is very impressed with the Madison area and students.

“The Madison Huntsville area is the best place to live in Alabama,” Pahman said. “We’ve got a different community here.”