Bermuda soldier Jason DiGiacomo is still waiting with his unit in the US Army at Fort Sill in Oklahoma to be called to Kuwait.

And although his mother, Mount Saint Agnes school teacher Margaret DiGiacomo says the suspense is frustrating for her son, Jason did receive some cheer and good wishes recently in the form of letters written to him from the MSA grade seven literature class. "He was really happy that people are aware of the problems everyone's facing," said his mother.

While in much of the world he may be regarded as a feared dictator and madman, the MSA students did not seem very much in awe of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein.

For instance: "Even though it might be kind of scary Saddam's kind of a chicken so he won't be there when you conquer Baghdad," wrote student Sean Bouchard.

And Amanda Martins finished her letter: "Before I end this letter I would like to try to make you laugh. Here's my joke: Why does Saddam Hussein like worms? Because he's a chicken."

Just about all the other children also wanted to reassure Jason he was in their hearts as well. "I know you must be nervous and I know you might be scared, but I just want to say good luck, I'll pray for you," wrote Megan Mahoney. "God Bless America."

The children seemed very curious about Oklahoma. "School is going alright with me. How is it in Oklahoma?" wrote Matthew Sinclair. "I was just wondering how it feels to be in the army and maybe go away to fight for your country? If you do go to Kuwait, I hope you remain safe, and fight your hardest to `be all you can be'."

"My name is Sabrina and I "I am in grade seven," wrote Sabrina Caton. "I am 12 years old going on 13. I enjoy riding horses, talking on the phone, searching the internet, and other things as well.

"How is Oklahoma? Do you like it? Are you nervous about the war? Well I'm writing you this letter because I want to wish you luck in all your journeys."

"I was born on December 3, 1990," Kristina Amaro wrote to Jason. "I love to dance and play the piano.

"On Friday, March 21, 2003 I read the article about you being in the army getting ready for the war ... I think that you are a good person to be completely committed to your work. I admire you a lot."

Erik Pimental shared with Jason his own dream of joining the army. "How are you doing in Oklahoma," he wrote. "I hear you're going to Kuwait. I hope that nothing happens to you. I hope when I'm in the army this does not happen to me.

"I'm going to tell you a little about me. I like sports, like basketball and soccer. I go to school at Mount Saint Agnes. I hear that you went there too. I hope you have a good time and kick some butt."

Meanwhile, some shared their own `war stories' with Jason. "Tomorrow is my birthday," wrote Amanda Martins. "I've always wondered if there would be another war. My Nana told me that her cousin dropped a bomb and saved hundreds of people from the jaws of death."

Many of the students expressed awe at what Jason is doing. "I have heard about you in the Bermuda newspaper," wrote Matthew Ties. "An ammunition team chief in charge of the crew supplying rounds to a self-propelled Howitzer tank. Sounds very important."

And all offered Jason prayers for he and his family. "I don't think you know me. I just started MSA this September," wrote Janice DeBraga.

"But I know you very well. Just this morning I heard about you. I think you are very brave for what you are doing for the United States of America. Although I don't know what you look like, I have a pretty good idea of your personality.

"I went to church today (like I always do). I said a special petition for just for you. This is what I said: For the young gentleman who is serving as a soldier in the war, God watch over him, Lord hear our prayer."

"My name is Melissa, I am in seventh grade," wrote Melissa Lima. "I was writing to you because I read an article about you fighting... My prayers are with you.

"I just started MSA this year. I am enjoying it so far. Be careful."

The children were full of questions about the type of guns Jason would be using in Kuwait. "I hope you are brave and try to have some kind of fun," wrote Ashley Kiernan. "If you do go up there I hope you also meet some friends.

"I wanted to know what kind of guns you would be using over there. I am very proud of you to be doing this. Not very many people could have the courage to do this."

Sean Bouchard wrote: "I've heard that Oklahoma is supposed to be really nice. You must feel pretty proud of the fact that you're representing our school in a way. I would be interested to find out what type of gun you use. I can't wait to see the war end."

Thomas Pugh said: "You were in our newspaper. I hope you don't have to go over there but if you do, keep safe. I have a few questions like what type of gun do you use, and are you nervous about going over?"

And Kevin McCallum, who said he supports Jason "100 percent", wrote: "I never wanted it to come to this, but something had to be done.

"If it's not too much trouble, I have a few questions for you. 1) What's an ammunition team chief? 2) Do you support the war? 3) What's Oklahoma like?"

Some letters were short and sweet. "We are all worrying about you and I think that everyone is praying for you," wrote Alex Martin, while Reid Perinchief said simply: "We are all hoping and praying that you don't go to war. We are praying with your mum."

And Alexis Trott wrote: "Lately I have been listening to the news on TV and the newspapers, and I heard that you are going to go and fight and I support you all the way."

The children, who wrote with obvious enthusiasm, were delighted to receive a reply from their new class hero, said Ms Pugh. "When I went in yesterday I said, `I have a surprise for you.' Naturally, (at) first they thought it was candy, but then they saw the envelope and they said, `Oh, he's replied!'"

"Even though most of you do not know me it was very thoughtful of you to do this," Jason told the students in his letter. "For a group of young kids like yourselves you all write so well and I enjoyed reading every single letter," he added, before giving them a detailed description of what Oklahoma is like.

In the two-page letter, Jason also described his role as the ammunition team chief and some of the weapons he used.

Then he said: "Some of you asked me if I was scared. The answer to that is `yes'.

"Everybody who goes to war gets scared and nervous, not knowing what to expect," he explained, adding that his main fear was the use of weapons of mass destruction. "However we are well-trained and equipped to deal with these threats. It is good to be scared because it keeps your adrenaline going which will help to stay aware and keep you alive.

"In closing I just want to once again thank you for your letters. Each and every one of you needs to be the best that you can in school and be successful at anything that you do in life, no matter what it is."