PRINCETON HOMECOMING: It was a homecoming of sorts when Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan M. Mann of the United States Navy traveled to Princeton to visit children in Susan Frenchu’s kindergarten class at Johnson Park Elementary School. The kindergartners had written to Mr. Mann as part of a Veterans Day class project last November and were delighted when he came to see them on March 16. Mr. Mann, who is stationed in Africa, brought the students a hand-carved cheetah in tribute to their class name, “The Golden Cheetahs.” They learned that “their veteran” grew up in Princeton where he went to Littlebrook School.

When kindergartners in Susan Frenchu’s class at Johnson Park Elementary School wrote to a member of the military last November, all they knew about “their veteran” was his name: Ryan M. Mann.

“They knew only the officer’s name, not his rank, his location or where he was from — or even if he was actively enlisted,” said Ann T. Kovalick, who volunteers as a class parent at the school, where her son is in Ms. Frenchu’s class.

So the children, who had chosen to name their class “The Golden Cheetahs” after the famed African cat that is the fastest on the planet, had no way of knowing that their letter would travel all the way to Africa to reach Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan M. Mann of the United States Navy or that their project would one day bring Mr. Mann all the way to their Princeton classroom.

Mr. Mann made special arrangements to visit “The Golden Cheetahs” on his next trip home to the United States. He thanked each of his young correspondents in person on March 16. Not only that, he presented the entire class, with a hand carved “Golden Cheetah” from Africa.

In their letter, “The Golden Cheetahs” shared their favorite things with Mr. Mann. They each drew him a small picture. They also asked him questions, including what his favorite color is, what his favorite shape is, and what his favorite food is. They hoped to get a letter back and they were not disappointed.

In his reply, Mr. Mann revealed that his favorite color is red, his favorite shape is a triangle, and that he thinks spaghetti with meatballs is delicious.

Although Mr. Mann now makes his home in Maryland, he grew up in Princeton where he went to Littlebrook Elementary School at a time when Robert Ginsberg, now principal of Johnson Park, was the principal there. The former Littlebrook student ran into Mr. Ginsberg in the hallway and while he may have felt the urge to salute, he settled instead for a warm handshake with his former principal whom he recognized immediately.

Johnson Park School prides itself on fostering a warm and friendly environment and the contact between these young students and Mr. Mann was prompted by the initiative of a school aide who is also a former Navy officer. Rick Kelly reached out to teachers asking if they could supply the names of any veterans they knew of. He hoped to facilitate letters from students as a way of marking Veterans Day, the official November 11 holiday honoring people who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As a result, teacher Bonnie Walker, who lives next door to Mr. Mann’s mother, made the connection. Mr. Kelly was therefore the guiding hand bringing “The Golden Cheetahs” into contact with their veteran in Africa.

One more thing that the kindergartners might like to know about Mr. Mann is that he was so touched by their letter that he keeps it on display in his office for all to see.