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Student's story touches vets
Troy 7th-grader reaches Vietnam veterans, readers worldwide
Baker Middle School student Sabrina Stidham, 12, of Troy wrote a short story about soldiers in the Vietnam War that's been circulated worldwide.
Sabrina, with Baker Middle School Principal Larry Hahn, says she's surprised her essay has such a strong impact on people.
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TROY -- A short story Sabrina Stidham wrote this spring has made her a hero of sorts among the very people she looks up to.
In February, in Maryellen McKnight's seventh-grade language arts class at Baker Middle School, Sabrina and her classmates were asked to choose a picture from a pile the teacher provided and use it as inspiration for a short story.
Sabrina gravitated to a photo of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a small American flag in front of it.
"I've always been interested in history, especially the Vietnam War. It's my favorite subject to do research on," said the 12-year-old from Troy.
"I'm a history buff about the war stuff. I don't have any normal books. On my shelf it's all war books."
Using what she had learned from books about the Vietnam War, Sabrina crafted a one-page story titled "Heroes Carved in Stone" about the images of dead soldiers that the wall evokes.
Her work quickly captured the attention of Vietnam veterans and their families.
The story has become an example of how a routine homework assignment can turn into a piece that can make a lasting impression beyond the classroom.
"Before me, a great wall, with the names of Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Daughters; Soldiers; Heroes ... carved in stone," her story said.
"As I looked at the granite I saw behind it. A scene of tangled jungles, mud covered boots, people crying, as their lives came to an unwritten end."
The scene she created moved several readers.
"The emotions generated in me ... were of sorrow and pride," retired Army Brig. Gen. Donald F. Schenk wrote to Sabrina after he read the story on the Internet.
It was just one of more than 100 letters and e-mails Sabrina has received. Touched by Sabrina's work, her teacher and father felt compelled to share it with others.
"It was just so deep and moving," said McKnight, who retired at the end of the last school year.
"No one can read the story without tears coming to their eyes."
Sabrina's father, Bryan, shared the "Heroes Carved in Stone" story with the Marine Corps League of Troy around Memorial Day, and the group posted it on its Web site.
From there, it spread quickly through military circles, making its way into the hands of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, who in turn sent it to every general officer in the Army.
"That thing went all over the world," Bryan Stidham said. "It's more than just a story to a lot of people."
At first, the e-mails just trickled in.
"I got like two or three of them, then the next day I got eight, and they just kept coming in. It just kind of skyrocketed from there," Sabrina said. "I was really surprised. I didn't think it would have that much of an impact."
But it did, and the story lived on and was posted on several Vietnam veterans association Web sites and newsletters.
"They were amazed I could understand what they went through and how it was," Sabrina said. "I didn't realize I can write like that. It came to me as a shock."
It was no surprise to McKnight, who called Sabrina one of her most talented students.
"She's a phenomenal writer," she said.
"I hope to see her become a published writer one day. She has the talent for it."
Sabrina plans to join the Marine Corps after high school and wants to be a combat journalist.
You can reach Joe Menard at (248) 647-7429 or jmenard@detnews.com.
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