Christian School first-graders meet the soldier they adopted

Dena Shelton's and Sybil Whitworth's first-grade students at Cape Christian School adopted 1st Lt. Todd Nordman, a United States Marine, during his seven-month deployment in Iraq. The children e-mailed Nordman with all types of questions and sent him care packages and handmade cards.

The students made sure to include Todd's wife, Malia, and their dog, Duke, in their thoughts, gifts and cards while the soldier was away.

At Cape Christian School's career day, Clayton Deimund, a student in Shelton's class, dressed up in camouflage. He explained that he was Todd Nordman protecting his country.

Upon Nordman's return to the United States he visited his family in Cape Girardeau and included a visit with the first-graders.

He let them know how much he enjoyed hearing about their lives and told them that while in Iraq he flew an American flag just for their class at his base, Camp Korean Village in the Al Anbar Province. Nord¿man presented a certificate and the flag to the class as a thank you for keeping in touch with him and his family.

Nordman is a 1994 Central High School graduate and 1999 Southeast Missouri State University graduate.