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Prologue

Jersey

“Miss Gunner?” The ed assistant my father had hired on the Navy base finally calledand yet I’ve had to wait more than an hour to see him

“Jersey!” His voice boo every surface, the A tall and proud in the corner

“What’s up General?” I can’t re him dad, it was always by his title

“I have a favor to ask of you,” he seemed hesitant to ask, which in turn has me worried

“Okay”

“You know of the adopt a soldier prograht?” I nod “Morale is down in some soldiers with no one back home, I’d like if you and maybe a friend or two could write to a few soldiers Let them know they’re not alone”

“Pen pals?” I ask after his explanation

“Yes”

It’s the oddest request he’s ever asked ofa letter a few tiet through his tour

“Sure General, I’ll let some of the other teachers at school know about it too” He smiles in triumph

“Wonderful Jersey, the ot a list of names from this base I’d like you to start with”

My brows furroasn’t it supposed to be anony so muchwith him

The drive home from Fort Meade to Odenton is short and quiet as I ponder his odd request and who I could possibly get to write letters to strangers

I only graduated college with a Bachelors in Child Education in the spring, and with it not even being fall I hadn’t h to land a full-tiraduation

The women I ith are either married or older in years I’ this

Parking in the drive of s froraded ht strikes me

I could have the children write letters too That way no soldier was forgotten With that thought in mind I practically skip to my front door

As soon as it’s open, I drop everything on the side table and sla to the table I slap the folder ave me on top, remove my coat, kick my shoes off and dive in

I’ender, and a few small details I’m disappointed there’s no names

Getting h, having no na to be difficult to say the least

“I guess I’ll start ondown on the pen in my hand

Sifting through the pages I finally close rab one

Gripping it in my hands, I slowly open my eyes and read the information aloud, “Male, Captain of his platoon, froure Thirty-seven years old, and no station co man you must be Captain”