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Sandra Yi reporting Governor Mike Leavitt took time this morning to reassure Utah children of their safety, and encourage them to talk about their feelings about the war against Iraq.
War is on the minds of the kids we talked to today.
Many will keep up with what's going on, as some teachers plan to incorporate news coverage in their lesson plans.
Other students are so against the war, they're speaking out.
Alaina Stone/Teacher: "WHAT MATTERS RIGHT NOW IS WE ALL NEED TO BE UNITED. WE ARE ALL AMERICANS."
The lesson in many Utah classrooms today wasn't from books, but from television.
Governor Mike Leavitt: "OUR COUNTRY AND 35 OTHERS HAVE DECIDED TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAQ SO WE CAN FREE THE IRAQI PEOPLE AND MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE."
This morning Governor Mike Leavitt addressed all Utah school kids to try and calm any fears, and garner support for the troops.
Aime Boyer/8th Grade Student: "I THINK WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS REALLY IMPORTANT."
Alaina Stone/Teacher: "JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY PERSONALLY?"
Nearly half the students in this seventh grade class said they had a family member or friend in the military.
And those without loved ones overseas fear that could change at any time.
Kelly Peterson/8th Grade Student: "THE LONGER IT GOES ON, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT I KNOW BE IN IT AND THAT WOULD JUST BE REALLY SCARY."
Aime Boyer/8th Grade Student: "NONE OF MY FRIENDS I'VE HEARD THAT HAVE FAMILY IN THE MILITARY, BUT I THINK THAT THEY FEEL THE SAME WAY I DO IN THAT WE KIND OF NEED TO GO, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT THEY MIGHT BE DRAFTING PEOPLE."
Meanwhile, some East High School students took their anti war message to the streets, joining other protesters at the Federal Building.
Matthew Steele/East High School Student: "IF SADDAM HUSSEIN IS A THREAT TO WORLD PEACE, HE'S A THREAT TO THE WORLD, NOT TO THE UNITED STATES. WE NEED TO RESPECT THE UN AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT AS A WORLD TO DISARM HIM."
But with a war against Iraq well underway, many students hope the battle is short and successful.
Scott Goldsmith/8th Grade Student: "I JUST HOPE IT WILL BE A QUICK WAR AND NOT LAST TOO LONG."
Kenneth Damron/8th Grade Student: "I JUST WANT IT OVER WITH. THE SOONER IT'S DONE, THE BETTER."
Many of the students we talked to say they didn't have any anxieties or fears because of war. But schools do have counselors on hand for those who do.
The Salt Lake City district has discouraged its elementary teachers to show war images, so as to not cause younger kids any anxiety.
