Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Emily Proulx carefully placed the cracker on her plate and gently squeezed the package of processed cheese on top. It was a snack not uncommon for what U.S. soldiers in Iraq would eat.

Not too bad, Emily chirped after taking a bite of her snack cracker and moving on to other items found in her MRE lunch at Wyoming Elementary School last week

Emily and other students in Jo Harmsí Grade 4 class dined in style, military style, on April 27, thanks to Bart Mollet, an Army Reservist who is stationed in Iraq. The Army veteran, who has a son in the class, has been in Iraq since last October.

At least once a month a packet of letters from students has arrived in Iraq. As the school year draws to a close, Mollet wanted to say thanks to the youngsters and the good wishes came last week in form of six packets of MREs -- the militaryís term for meals ready to eat.

On April 27 students in Harmsí class passed up the regular trip to the cafeteria for lunch and dined on MRE rations and Gatorade in the classroom. The rations from five MRE packets were equally shared and the kids chomped on sandwiches from home to make sure they were well fed for the afternoon.

Students enjoyed their lunch period with thoughts of Daniel Molletís dad in Iraq.

Barb Mollet, Danielís mom, dropped in for the lunch and expressed her appreciation shown by the school and students during the time her husband has been away.

ìMrs. Harms has been so supporting and it has helped make a good year for Dan,î Barb Mollet said.

ìHe (Scott) wonít make it home before the end of the school year. This was his way to say thanks to the kids.î

Along with the food products, Mollet also mailed home a quantity of the high-energy Hooah! bars that served as dessert.

Principal Mike Conway escorted a visitor to the classroom but politely slipped away to his office as the MREs were being divided up for lunch.

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