Students support hometown Marine

Tommy Howell and his class made this banner for the homecoming of his father, Sgt. Thomas Howell. (Courtesy Oceanside Schools)

Courtesy Oceanside Schools

Students at School No. 4 kept in touch with Sergeant Thomas Howell, the father of third grader Thomas [Tommy] Howell, for a year year. Sgt. Howell is a Marine with USMC 6th Division Communication Division, who was deployed to Bahrain shortly after the start of the school year.

Throughout the year, students in each grade at School No. 4 would send cards and letters to his troop to show their support. They tracked Sgt. Howell’s journey as he traveled from Bahrain to Kuwait and finally to Jordan. The class under the guidance of their teacher, Jami Rosario, received a picture of Sgt. Howell’s troop holding the cards that were sent to them. The students were very excited that their efforts had made a difference.  

Under the leadership of art teacher Jeanmarie Toy, the students at School No. 4 created a beautiful welcome home banner for the Howells to bring along to his homecoming on July 24. Along with the banner the entire student body and staff from the school signed a card. 

Happily Sgt. Howell was able to return home earlier and surprised his family on July 19, safe and sound.