Troop 53 - Thank you

Dear Troop 53, September 21, 2004

I am writing to thank you for your most generous gift of a "Pocket American Flag".

Unfortunately, in the deserts of Afghanistan where I am stationed it is often very hot,

which causes us to sweat through our uniforms. Because of this, I decided not to keep

the flag in my pocket, but instead hung it on the wall in my room in our new barracks.

I tell you, when you are so far from those beautiful seas of Iowa corn, when there is nothing

around for miles but grey desert wasteland, when you haven't seen your wife or family for 8

months, there is nothing, NOTHING more beautiful than our American flag. She's like a

small piece of home - a large piece of hope.

Thank you for the kind gift.

In the card that came with the flag you wrote: "Thank you for defending our country and

our freedom." What I am about to write I wish I could share with every American like you who

supports the war and our soldiers. Please remember that the war against terrorism, the war to

protect our home and our very lives is not fought by soldiers alone. But rather, we are all in

this fight together. And you , with your gifts to soldiers, are every bit as important in this

fight as we soldiers are. You keep us going and you remind us that America is every bit

worth defending as she ever was.

So I thank you all again, and I will remember your kindness for years to come.

God bless you all!

Sincerely,

Corporal Brent S. Reedy

Iowa Army National Guard

God Bless you Troop 53 and all the other packs and troops out there that take time to remember the men and women out there, anywhere, far from home and loved ones, defending our GREAT nation.

May God bless our service men and women and their loved ones as well.

Carol

My thanks go out to Troop 3.

My eternal gratitude goes out to Corporal Reedy and the men in Afghanistan.

Keep up the hunt, gentlemen. Our prayers are with you.

Unc.

And may God Bless the United States of America.

May my family's motto also inspire you. It is "In pugnam pro patriam." Latin for "In combat for the fatherland."

GO USA!!!

Unc.

Our troop adopted a soldier for Christmas last year. This year we were thinking about adopting local soldiers or a nearby NG unit. How did you go about getting names and shipping addresses?