Cape Coral students put to the test during boot camp

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- The strength, endurance, and mentality of students at Oasis Elementary were put to the test by some of America’s bravest during a boot camp on Thursday.

Wounded veterans with the Wounded Warrior Anglers organization acted as drill sergeants.

“They are being tough on us because they want us to be tough,” said fourth grader Katy Jones.”If we want to join the military, we have to be strong people.

The kids pushed through army crawls, a battle of tug-o-war, and rescuing a wounded soldier.

“Me and my sister, when we were little, would say we wanted to defend our country and this is helping me think about it,” said fourth grader Saige Sanders.

Organizers behind the event said the boot camp was in part meant to teach students more about our military heroes and what they do.

“They work so hard every day for our country and they never stop,” said Jones.

Savannah Lynch, another fourth grader, added, “I’m really thankful because they go through a lot and they do it to save our country.”

The students are also raising money by selling t-shirts for the Wounded Warrior Anglers to help veterans use their passion for fishing to cope with war injuries.

“We wanted to find a charity where all the money went directly to the veterans and that’s what it does,” said Wendy Hearyman, boot camp organizer.