TUSTIN – Sixteen soldiers in the 2nd platoon, Unit 73711 received "In-N-Out Burger" paper hats and stickers after children at the non-denominational church Healing World International decided to do something to show appreciation for soldiers in Iraq.

Lauree Godwin, a church member, recently spoke to the children about a co-worker’s son who is doing his third tour in Iraq. One of the things the soldiers missed from home was In-N-Out burgers, Godwin told them.

The children decided to send letters and drawings to thank the soldiers for their service.

"The children’s hearts went out to (the soldiers) and they tried as best as they could to love them and encourage (them)," Godwin said.

Children sent drawings of watermelons and Mexican chicken salads with a note underneath that read "When you come back, you could eat this!"

Tustin resident, Mikayla Feldman, 12, wrote: "This isn’t just a thank you letter, it is the words of a child who really appreciates what you do."

Feldman, a seventh-grader at Columbus Tustin middle school, told the soldiers that they were in her prayers.

"Instead of writing an ordinary letter, I just decided to write something from the heart," Feldman said in a phone interview.

Contact the writer: 949-553-2918 or etorres@ocregister.com