Richland Northeast staff member Cheryl Lausi works with David Pietras to make a pen for the Freedom Pen Project. David Pietras is no Luddite – except when it comes to putting pen to paper. “E–mail has its place,” he said, “but it doesn’t compare to a handwritten letter,” especially when that letter comes from a deployed soldier.

With two sons in the Air Force, the Richland Northeast High School woodworking teacher has long been making pens to send overseas. Now he’s involved RNE’s students and staff.

“My sons have always enjoyed the pens that I have made for them and their buddies,” said Pietras. “I know that getting pens from back home makes the troops happy.” One of Pietras’ sons is now in Iraq; the other served four tours of duty there.

Pietras met the couple who set up the project at a seminar in October. “That’s when I made plans for our school to participate,” he said.

So far, RNE students have completed 25 pens and RNE teachers have completed six, all using a wood called Purple Heart. “It seems like a good wood to use because of the Purple Heart Medal that so many of the troops have been awarded,” Pietras said. “We’re also engraving the pens, and each student will put a note in with it. They hope to get letters back from some of the troops.”

To help cover the cost of materials, Pietras has received donations from CPA firm Bauknight Pietras and Stormer as well as from several individuals. In addition, each teacher who stays after school to make a pen also donates $5. “I consider it a privilege and an honor to create something that an American soldier will carry while protecting our freedom,” said Bill McCormick, RNE’s advanced placement economics teacher.

By mid–December, Pietras hopes to send 100 pens to the Freedom Pen Project, which has shipped more than 89,000 pens to members of the military since 2004. For more information about the Freedom Pens Project, see www.freedompens. org.