SALEM — For Veterans Day, third-graders from the Witchcraft Heights School wrote letters to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
The school has done this in the past, but this time was different. This time they sent them to a soldier from Salem, U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Levesque.
The idea to write to Levesque came from Janice DeLorenzo, a paraprofessional at the school. Michael, you see, is her godson.
Levesque, 24, a security forces gunner with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, is part of a counter-insurgency team in Afghanistan. He has been stationed there since June.
The letters were a big hit.
"They love getting just the littlest things," said Lisa Levesque, Michael's mother. "He said the guys just laughed and laughed."
On Jan. 1, Levesque and his fellow soldiers flew an American flag in honor of the Witchcraft Heights School over PRT Khost in Afghanistan, their forward operating base.
Last week, Mrs. Levesque presented the flag to the school in recognition of the thoughtful gesture by the students in Maureen Recene's and Michael Collins' third-grade classes. Along with the flag was a certificate proclaiming that "this flag was flown during time of hostile fire..."
Meanwhile, another effort is under way at Wicthcraft to support the troops.
Students Michael and Julia Sumner are part of a drive to send supplies and cards to Afghanistan. Their dad, 1st Sgt. John Sumner, is stationed there with the U.S. Marines.
Good cop
There is an interesting sub-story to the flap between Mayor Kim Driscoll and the Police Superior Officers Union over the retirement pay for departing officers.
The guy caught in the middle is Capt. John Jodoin.
It just happened that Jodoin's payout came when the mayor decided to challenge the long-standing practice of paying officers stipends and holiday pay for the months remaining in the fiscal year following their retirement.
Jodoin is the test case, so to speak. And both sides regret he's the guy caught in the middle because they all agree he's a really nice guy.
Why couldn't the mayor have challenged this tradition when some rough, tough, gruff officer was retiring, like ... Well, better not to mention any names.
Store closing
It was a sad day for the downtown when Signatures closed a few days ago.
The women's clothing store on the Essex Street pedestrian mall was run by Trudy Stavros and her daughter-in-law Jen Stavros. They were two really hard-working, innovative retailers.
Power meeting
Footprint Power, the company hoping to buy the Salem power plant, has reached out to HealthLink, the local environmental group that fought to close Salem Harbor Station.
The two plan to meet soon.
Sad day
We send our condolences to the family of Greg Shea, 48, the owner of The Seaport Cafe, who died last weekend.
He ran one of the city's newest restaurants, which took over the former home of Derby Fish & Lobster.
"He was a great and enthusiastic partner and a joy to work with," said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem, the city's tourism office.
That was the word from everyone. A really great guy.
Shea, by the way, was the son of late Salem Evening News Editor Jim Shea, a legend on the North Shore.
Family ties
The School Committee passed a resolution Monday night asking the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to consider replacing a new pedestrian light near the Carlton School that does not stop traffic and warns pedestrians to cross the street with caution because "vehicles may not stop."
The board thought the flashing light was dangerous and the message confusing.
If the letter doesn't work, new School Committee member Lisa Lavoie said she will call her sister.
Sara Lavoie is the press secretary for the Mass DOT.
Bye, bye
Assistant School Superintendent Steve O'Brien is leaving — but not for a while.
Word has it he's retiring in September. O'Brien joined the school system only a year or so ago.
No word yet on his replacement.
Pride parade
June is gay pride month.
The city not only is holding its second "Out Night," but will host the first North Shore Pride Parade on Saturday, June 30.
The parade will start in Riley Plaza and finish in Salem Common.
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