Students hear from soldier

By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff Writer
Dr. Seuss wasn't in Russellville this week to celebrate "Read Across America," but another hero of sorts was.
Sgt. Chris Nichols of the 115th Signal Battalion spoke to Mrs. Deanna Hollimon's first grade class at West Elementary Thursday afternoon as part of the week-long celebration of Dr. Seuss' 92nd birthday. Nichols corresponded with the class during his company's recently completed one year stint in Iraq.
Nichols gave each student a five-cent money piece that the soldiers used while they were stationed in Iraq before talking about the reasons why America is involved in the war.
When asked about being in combat, Nichols reassured the children that the local soldiers were never in any trouble.
Nichols told the students that while he was stationed in Iraq he had plenty of free time in which he spent reading.
The "Read Across America" campaign brought people from all across the community into local schools as guest readers all week long.