Fourth Graders Surprise Hackettstown Police Officers With Touching Cards They Created

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — “We are thankful for you,” “you are heroes” and other touching sentiments, were among things that fourth graders from the Mansfield Elementary School wrote in cards they recently made and sent to the Hackettstown Police Department.

The handcrafted cards were decorated with artistic renderings of American flags, uniformed police officers, red hearts and stars, which the Hackettstown Police Department posted to their Facebook Page on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“Thank you to the fourth grade students in Miss Bennett and Mrs. Maida’s class at Mansfield Elementary School for the heartfelt letters,” the police department wrote.

Among some of the messages officers received in the cards that they displayed:

• “Thank you for fighting for us and risking your own life for us,” one child wrote.
• That child said their uncle had passed away from COVID, “so I know how it feels to lose someone,” the student expressed, as they thanked the officers for their service.
• “When we have a problem, you will always be there,” another student wrote. “We are thankful for you.”
• “Thank you for saving our country,” a child penciled on their card, with an American flag, heart and a star.

Another picture drawn with the flag surrounded with hearts seemed to encapsulate the essence of many of the cards the officers received, with its message simply, “Thank you for everything.”

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at:jennifer.miller@patch.com.