Pine Brook students get a gift from Afghanistan
Manalapan policeman sends flag that flew in the face of enemy
BY AMY ROSEN Staff Writer
When a package from Afghanistan arrived at Pine Brook School in Manalapan, Principal Mike D'Anna could not imagine what was in it. The package contained a folded American flag and a certificate from the U.S. Department of Defense Coalition Joint Task Force Phoenix VI Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan, which stated:

Manalapan Police Officer Jonathan Suydam, who is on military duty in Afghanistan, sends his thanks to Pine Brook School pupils for their support of U.S. troops.

"This is to certify that thisAmerican flag was flown in the face of the enemy over theAmerican compound at Camp Stone, Herat, Afghanistan, by the Officers and NCOs of the Regional Police Mentor Team of ARSIC-West during 'Operation Enduring Freedom' on the 3rd day ofApril, 2008, in honor of Pine Brook School."

The certificate was signed by Lt. Col. Arthur M. Elbthal, infantry regional PMT chief, and Sgt. First Class Jonathan W. Suydam, infantry Afghan police mentor.

Suydam is a familiar face in Manalapan because he is a Manalapan police officer. He has been the School Resource Officer at Manalapan High School since 2000. He is presently on active military duty in Afghanistan.

The flag and certificate were gifts to show the soldiers' appreciation to the students of Pine Brook School for their generosity in donating supplies to the troops and for writing messages of inspiration.

PTA parent Gina Orlando mounted the flag and framed the certificate for display near the school's main office.

The fourth-grade pupils in Laura Battagliola's class spearheaded the efforts that led to the school being honored with the flag. One of the students in the class, Gianna Castellani, 10, is the daughter of Manalapan police officer David Castellani, who initially approached Battagliola and suggested that the students send holiday cards to the soldiers.

Throughout the school year the youngsters were busy corresponding with and collecting supplies for the local soldiers stationed with the National Guard in Afghanistan. Students wrote letters of appreciation to the soldiers to thank them for protecting the United States. In addition, the students collected donations of power bars, baby wipes and coffee to send to the soldiers.

"My dad e-mails him (Suydam) and he e-mails back," Gianna said. "I loved writing to the soldiers. I would have loved getting letters and stuff from people if I was in the war."

"The Castellani family helped ship all the supplies directly to Officer Suydamand the other soldiers," Battagliola said.

As part of the project, the students drafted a speech and visited other classrooms in the school to deliver the message and gain support for their cause. The students then appealed to the community and were amazed at the support and generosity of those who pitched in to help. Dunkin' Donuts on Union Hill Road, Marlboro, donated a case of coffee.

"When we were collecting food for the soldiers, I was amazed by the results," said Lois Ko, a pupil in Battagliola's class. "It was fun helping the soldiers, and when the soldiers received all of the food and cards from us and the school, we got a present from them, which was the flag they raised in the enemy territory. I had a great time helping the soldiers!"

Emily Chung said, "I really enjoyed helping the soldiers and writing cards to them. I was so happy knowing that I helped people trying to protect us."

Lori Podos, an instructional assistant in Battagliola's classroom, said, "I think it's a wonderful learning experience. They were really excited to get a response fromOfficer Suydam.Mrs. Battagliola is a great teacher and she incorporated this into a wonderful lesson for the class."

"As a teacher, I feel it is important to show the children the remarkable impact they can have on the community when we work together," Battagliola said. "Through this activity, the students were able to gain an understanding of being a good citizen. I believe it was a wonderful opportunity for the children to appreciate others, especially those from our community who are risking their lives for us. The students were so excited to correspond with the soldiers and were delighted to receive a certificate of thanks as well as an official American flag, which was flown over enemy territory."

"It was very exciting knowing that the soldiers were going to get our letters and everything we donated," said Alexandra Bongiovi. "So when they wrote back and sent us a picture, it was very pleasant and everyone in the classroomwas cheering and clapping."

"We are looking forward to Officer Suydam coming to our school when he comes back so the students can put a face with the name," D'Anna said.

Manalapan Police Chief Stuart Brown has been corresponding with Suydam via e-mail.

"He's been in theArmy and the Reserves for a total of 20 years," the chief explained. "He is expected to be back in September and hopefully back in the schools by January 2009."

Brown received the following message from Suydam this week:

"We are very appreciative of all that Pine Brook School has done for us. To watch a hardened man's emotions change when he reads a card from a kid in New Jersey that he's nevermet has been truly amazing. To see their faces when they receive something as simple, and yet so treasured as candy is a sight to behold. Ultimately, it is the support frompeople at home that keeps us strong and helps to see us through the dark hours."