To any soldier

    I served as a second lieutenant (少尉) in a war thirty years ago. Married for only a year and a half, I missed my wife and baby daughter a lot. In the years before cell phones and Wi-Fi, we had limited opportunities {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (communicate) with loved ones.

    One night while sitting by myself, I investigated the "Any Soldier" mailbox, a cardboard box with letters and packages from Americans. I chose one shoebox-size package. Inside I found about 20 greeting cards {#blank#}2{#/blank#} children. At the bottom was a letter written by their teacher  {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (explain) how her kids had put the box together and how they supported our efforts in the war. Truly touched at that very moment by this gesture, I decided to write a letter of gratitude. I thanked the teacher for  {#blank#}4{#/blank#} her children had done—its impact on my patriotism, my morale, and, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (significantly), my uplifted faith. For security reasons, I was able to sign only my name.

    Around 2013, I received a Facebook friend request from a woman with  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} I shared no contacts. I replied that  {#blank#}7{#/blank#} we were friends, I could not accept her request. She responded with one question: "Are you Second Lieutenant Bartholomew?" I replied that I had been at one time.

    "Dear sir," she wrote. "We have never met, but thirty years ago I was a second-grade teacher at a school in Ohio and our classroom sent a care package  {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (address) to Any Service Member.' The thank-you letter you composed was framed and it  {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (post) on the wall of the school for more than 20 years. I wanted to again thank you for your service to our country."

    We never spoke again, but this gracious teacher strengthened my belief in doing what my mother always taught me: Write thank-you notes— {#blank#}10{#/blank#} never know how many people your kindness can touch.

    According to Chinese speaking practice, lion is a special animal to Chinese people. A pair of stone lions, a male {#blank#}1{#/blank#} a female, are {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(common) seen in front of the gates of traditional building.

    The lion {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(regard) as the king in the animal world, so {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(it) images represent power and prestige. The stone lions are also used to indicate the ranks of officials.

    It is interesting to note that China had no lions originally. The earliest stone lions were sculpted {#blank#}5{#/blank#} the beginning of the Eastern Han Dynasty from A. D. 25 to 220 with {#blank#}6{#/blank#} introduction of Buddhism(佛教) into ancient China. In the Buddhist faith, the lion, {#blank#}7{#/blank#} can protect the truth and keep off evils, is considered a divine animal of nobleness and dignity. In Chinese folk tales, the lion has become a symbol of {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (brave), power and good luck.

    It was also popular to decorate bridges with stone sculpted lions for the defending reason. The {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(well) known of bridges is the Lugouqiao, {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(build )from 1189 to 1192.