Clarke School Letters Bridge Thousands of Miles This Fourth of July

A Swampscott father is deployed a world away from home this Fourth of July.

But Patrick Burke has 75 letters and drawings including one of a small child  holding the hand of an adult with the caption: “Me and You.”

The letters and pictures came from Clarke School children, two of whom are his boys Quinn and Aidan.

“I really appreciated the notes, questions,

drawings and best wishes the kids sent me,” Patrick said. “It's well over 110 degrees each day and we are working long hours but letters like these lift all our

spirits!!”

He also wants to thank Clarke School for keeping an eye on his children.

“We are blessed to have such kind and caring professional educators in our

schools,” he said.

Before he shipped out thousands of miles away to the Middle East Patrick visited the Clarke School.

He asked the kids to keep an eye on his boys. To cheer them up if they look sad. 

In the letters he got comments from the school kids saying that they were taking care of Quinn and Aidan.

“It is sooooooooo cool,” Patrick said of the comments.

The soldier plans to visit the school went he gets back. He wants to thank the kids for the letters and pictures and to answer their questions

Questions/comments:

        -What's the food like?

        -Are the people nice?

        -Are you scared?

        - Thank you for protecting us

        -Your sons are awesome

        -We are taking care of Aidan and Quinn

        -I love you (my favorite)

        - Lots of Bruins updates (they were still playing)

        -please write back ( I will for ones that wrote address)

        - please come visit when you get back

        -what is it like being a boss?

        -Drink lots of water

        -is the water hot? (I told them sometimes in is 100 degrees or more and we have to drink)

        - you are brave

        - my grandfather was in army too

Pictures:

        Many, many, may  drawings of "Bruins Bs". They know I'm a big, big Bruins fan.

        Some airplanes

        A few "army guys"

        Lot of flags and narratives on the history of the US Flag (the older kids)

        A picture of a small child  holding the hand of an adult with the caption: “Me and You.”