Every soldier carries a heavy load. But it's a lot lighter when it comes covered with miniature handprints, and miniature hands.

Children at Frisco Montessori Academy worked together for weeks, writing letters and gathering 15 boxes worth of personal items to send troops in Iraq. "They don't get to hug their children, so we just kind of wanted to send a little bit of that to them," said Ashley Novotny, assistant teacher.

One child brought teddy bears when he heard soldiers often sleep in the sand alone. Sloane Blakely, 5-years-old, added a few of her candy, Tootsie Rolls, too. "When we get care packages, it's such a big morale booster, that it'll make the strongest guy break down," said Lt. Jose Romero, Texas Army National Guard.

National guardsmen picked up the packages personally, and savored the thanks too. "Thanks for being so brave in defending our country," said Preston Cook, a 6-year-old.

The kids say they just want soldiers to know they're not forgotten, even after all this time. The soldiers say there’s no chance of that, with support like this.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com