Submitted photo From left, Jackson-Milton fourth grader Zach Black, and sister Abbey Black, and fourth grader Shawn Miller share a laugh at the school’s Purple Star Luncheon in March while viewing the video of their brothers, U.S. Air Force Airman Don Yates and U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Mike Black, meeting in Okinawa, Japan, in February.

NORTH JACKSON — As a Purple Star Designated district, the Jackson-Milton Local School District is spending April, the “Month of the Military Child,” celebrating the resilience of its 14 military-connected students.

This year, that celebration included a surprise that bridged the 7,000-mile gap between Ohio and Okinawa, Japan.

The story began during a January Purple Star Luncheon, which is a monthly gathering for military-connected students and staff. Robert Zanni, an Elementary Title I teacher and the district’s military family liaison, discovered a unique coincidence: fourth graders Zach Black and Shawn Miller both have brothers stationed in Okinawa, serving in different branches of the armed forces.

With the help of English language arts teacher Daniel Blake, the boys wrote letters to their brothers — U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Mike Black and Air Force Airman Don Yates — in hopes the two might find a way to meet in person.

The result of those letters was revealed at the March luncheon. Zach and Shawn were stunned to watch a video of their brothers meeting face-to-face in Japan in February. In the video, Mike Black, who was recovering from a broken leg, took a moment to personally thank the Jackson-Milton students for the handmade get well cards they had sent him months prior.

“The kids were absolutely thrilled,” Zanni said. “Seeing that connection come to life shows our students that even though their loved ones are far away, they are never out of reach.”

Before the luncheon concluded, Zanni filmed a response video of the students thanking the brothers for their service and for taking the time to connect with them from overseas.