Photo by Angel Cochran

Lake Highlands Elementary students received an unexpected gift yesterday during the school’s Veterans Day celebration when the soldier they’ve been writing and sending care packages to arrived at the school to greet and thank them.

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Sgt. James Williams is the brother of LHE teacher Christina Fuller, and he had sent a flag from his outpost in Iraq for the kids to raise at the school. The ceremony drew LH dignitaries and was to be punctuated by a live Skype conversation with Williams from Iraq. The kids couldn’t wait to “meet” Williams over the airwaves.

Photo by Angel Cochran

Suspense built when then kids, waiting out front at the flagpole, were told there were technical difficulties, then out walked Williams himself in full dress uniform.

“The kids went bananas when he came out of the school in person,” said LH resident Angel Cochran, who works in the LHE front office. “He talked to the students (a bit tearful himself) and then raised the flag with his family and cub scouts.”

You can see more in this CBS 11 story by LH resident and LHHS dad Steve Pickett.

Sgt. James Williams poses with the LHHS drumline, who came to play for the big surprise. Photo by Angel Cochran

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.