COVINGTON, Ga. — The Marine Corps JROTC hosted a letter writing drive, for troops overseas and across the country, at the Newton County Theme School on Monday, Dec. 16.

The letters were written “in the hopes of alleviating some of the homesickness and sadness many of [the] service members endure during the holiday season,” MCJROTC Cadet James Wilson said.

“They aren’t going to be here for the holiday season,” Wilson said. “They aren’t going to be here for the new year or Valentine’s Day. These letters are an act of love — for us to give them some sort of comfort, some sort of love from their community.”

More than 100 letters were written and will be sent to Operation Gratitude in California, where they will be dispersed among the American soldiers.

“Even though we don’t know where they are going, we know whoever gets them will love them and cherish them for years to come,” Wilson said.