Elementary School Writes More Than 400 Letters to Military as Part of Patriotic Lesson

First-graders at in Murrieta now know a little bit more about who the 16th president of the United States was, and why Martin Luther King, Jr. was a special man.

"Old Abe Lincoln was our 16th president, 16th president...many years ago," they sang out loud in front of their peers during a dress rehearsal Wednesday.

Under the direction of first-grade teachers Melissa Crutcher and Shelly Smith, students donned patriotic costumes for a musical performance that included eight songs. One student dressed as Abraham Lincoln, while another was President Obama. Then there were Lady Liberty and George and Martha Washington, accompanied by Martin Luther King, Jr.

"His dream came true, hallelujah," they sang during a tribute song to Martin Luther King, Jr.

With one student dressed as the Golden Rule in a poofy yellow dress, students sang out about accepting all, and treating others as they'd want to be treated themselves.

Some students dressed in military gear, and the whole school was invited to write letters to those serving in the Armed Forces.

School librarian Lynette Dodds, who is collecting the letters, said about half of the school's 950 students had already turned one in. Both of her sons have served in the Military, with one due to head out to Afghanistan in January. The other served in Iraq.

"Being a military family, I'm sure I can get that taken care of," Dodds said. She plans to arrange for the letters to be sent via the U.S.O.

"It is a good time for them to be exposed, not only by writing the letters but by knowing there are people out there fighting for our country," she said.

While Wednesday's performance was a dress rehearsal, Military members are expected to come to Thursday's performance to symbolically accept the letters.