Soldier gets standing ovation from Island Lake school

The nearly 660 students at Cotton Creek Elementary School in Island Lake gave a standing ovation to U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Colon, of Lakemoor, after he spoke to them about perseverance.

But that's not all they gave him.

Colon, who grew up in Lake Zurich, returned to thank students for the care packages, cards and letters he and his unit received while serving in Iraq.

"They really helped us out over there," Colon said. "They really boosted our morale and gave us comfort."

Colon was deployed in February 2009, and served for a year in Qwest and at the Joint Base Balad in Iraq.

"Every time we sent a package, we had the kids write letters and cards," school secretary Jean Musser said.

Students were eager and excited to write to Colon and hear back from him, teachers said. Some students spent recess time writing letters or making pictures for him.

"It's something we can give to our students beyond the classroom," Principal Darlene Baker said. "They learned about the contributions the soldiers are making."

Colon's visit to Cotton Creek was part of a monthly assembly on a character value. March's focus is perseverance.

"No matter how hard things get in life, you just have to be strong and persevere." he told the students.

Musser began sending care packages to Colon this summer. The school sent six to 10 care packages a month to him and his unit.

Colon said he and his unit especially appreciated the Christmas care package because of its size, and because it reminded him the community knew he was there.

"Christmas was a very lonely time. It was like a boost for all us," he said. "And when Jean baked cookies, that was always a treat."

Musser has been active in organizing the care packages and letters - some school employees call her Grandma America. The school has been sending care packages to servicemen on and off for 10 years.