Fairmont Newsroom

Citron Kindergarteners Receive Thank You Note for Candy from OC Marine

January 2010

ANAHEIM, CA – January 4, 2009 – Fairmont Private Schools Kindergarten teachers Patsy Bauman and Janet Molina (of Fairmont’s Citron Street campus in Anaheim) received a pleasant surprise to kick off the New Year.  Upon returning to their classrooms after the holiday break, they checked their emails and found a note and photograph from Captain Tin Nguyen of the United States Marine Corps, a fellow Orange County native.

What was the email all about? This past Halloween, Fairmont students saved their trick-or-treat loot for a good cause and collected nearly a ton of candy as part of a Fairmont tradition called “Operation Candy.” The sweets were sent to US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and for the children in these war-torn regions.

Nelda Gow, a former Fairmont Parent Association officer, started the Halloween candy drive in 2006, and the tradition has held ever since.  In addition to candy, students include personal letters and artwork expressing their appreciation for the sacrifice of service men and women.

This morning Fairmont students and teachers were pleased to hear that the candy and letters arrived after receiving Captain Nguyen’s email and photo:

Mrs. Bauman, Dr. Molina and Fairmont Kindergarteners,

My name is Captain Tin Nguyen (also from Orange County!) and I am the Executive Officer of Charlie Company, 4^th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion here in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Just recently I received a WONDERFUL gift to help me celebrate the new year, your cards and candy!! Thank you so much for your generosity and support. It makes my Marines and I feel so incredibly proud to hear such encouragement from the youngest citizens of our amazing country. You put a lot of hard work into your cards and it shows!  Also, just so you know, some of the glitter from your cards sprinkled onto my desk so now I’m constantly reminded of your wonderful cards!  

All of my Marines have gotten some of the candy and I took my share out on patrol the other day. I hope you don’t mind, but I shared some of my candy with some of the local Afghan kids. Your kindness made some kids on the other side of the world VERY happy! It’s better than me eating it anyway, my mom would have a fit if she knew I were eating so many sweets! I’ve attached a photo of me passing out some of your candy and some other toys to some of the local kids so you can see how you’re making the world a better place!

Please feel free to send me correspondence via this email address at any time! Once again, I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have shown my Marines and I. You are true patriots and I salute you!

Happy New Year!

Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful,

Captain Nguyen, United States Marine Corps

PS. Be good and listen to your teacher! =)