Fifth-graders at Wohlwend Elementary School recently received a special visitor.

While at home for a two-week leave, Sgt. Floyd Hill thanked the students for sending him a box of goodies and a stack of cards during the holidays, according to a Mehlville School District news release.

Hill discussed his service in Iraq, stressing that it is very hot, the food is quite spicy and most of the locals are very friendly, the release stated.

Hill is a graphic designer in the Army and promised to send the Wohlwend students some samples of his work when he returns to Iraq, according to the release.

Before leaving, Hill signed autographs, posed for pictures and promised to e-mail the students when he returned to the Middle East.

Pupils gave Hill balloons and Wohlwend souvenirs to remind him of his visit and the students who had “adopted him.”

Wohlwend fifth-grade teacher Dianne Richter learned about a local radio station’s “Adopt a Soldier” program and shared the idea with other teachers during a faculty meeting. The project received a hearty “thumbs up,” the release stated.

The teachers then set up a smart board to allow students to view information about various soldiers. The students selected three soldiers, including Hill.

After a short collection period, Wohl-wend pupils mailed three large paper boxes of items and letters to Iraq in December, the release stated. After returning from winter break, the pupils received a reply from Hill and soon received a visit.