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Letters from Families & Troops | |
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I just received your gracious Easter "basket" of goodies. I will share them with everyone here in my office, which includes Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, as well as a few government contractors. You may not realize this, but the Army's 18th Airborne Corps just recently assumed command of Multi-National Coalition-Iraq (LTG Austin is the CG), so it was fitting that you included the little plastic toy soldiers with the attached parachutes. I couldn't wait until Easter, so I went ahead and gave them to the senior Airborne Colonel here in the C-4 shop. Have a blessed, peaceful Easter. God willing, we'll do the same! (I'm attaching a picture of the Chapel here at Camp Victory, Baghdad, which you may appreciate). Respectfully, P. McC. Col, USMC
Dear Ladies, I received your generous package the other day and distributed the contents to the troops at the 325th Combat Support Hospital. We all thank you for this and for all you do for our troops. We thank God for people like you! Gary L. D., LTC,MC,USAR 325th CSH Camp Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq
Dear Ladies, I want to thank you again for all your messages for me it gives me the strength to go on and defend my country. I have never taken a step back from that responsibility nor will I ever. Again thank you your your words. I keep them in a file I have have named ON THE HILL. Thank you from a soldier, Pedro
I just want to give you ladies a big THANKS for doing such a great job. My husband Stsgt S. stopped in Bangor on his way to Iraq and mentioned the Freeport Flag Ladies. Thank you for giving them such a warm welcome and sendoff. It definitely made me feel better that ya'll made it a nice experience and I enjoyed the pictures on the website. Again Thank you so much for all you do for the troops. D.S.
Ladies, Please let me start by saying 'Thank you'. I wish I was in a position to do what you do. I would like to reiterate my appreciation for your work. It means soo much to people like me. My fiancé left for Afghanistan on the 16th and he was so excited to let me know that you were taking the pictures and I would be able to see him again before he left the states. As a former Marine, I can also tell you that it means the world to us. It really makes us feel good to know that we, as Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coasties are appreciated. Thanks again Semper Fi- A.C.
Hello!! I was on your webpage looking for March pictures from March 16. My boyfriend called me and let me know that you guys had pictures and I was just curious when they were going to be up? But I really appreciate what you guys are all doing!! It helps me a lot since I can not be there for him, that you awesome ladies are there to greet them!! Thank you so much and if you could let me know when you put them up I would greatly appreciate it!! S.C.
Dear Elaine, JoAnn and Carmen, What an honor to stand with you on the hill this frigid morning! It was a profound hour in my life and it brought to mind how important the Flag and our Troops are to all, from the children on the school buses, the kids in the cars in back seats waving back at us, the truckers giving the air horn blasts, all the folks just giving the "V" sign and horn toots, the police and fire departments blinking their lights for us was such a refreshing reminder at how much we all appreciate our troops protecting America all over the globe! Being able to share that special hour with you all along with Lorrie and Bonnie brought such joy and I thank you for giving me that opportunity and I do look forward to joining you on the hill soon! I am sure the Troops get great vibes from that special hour, I know I did! You are all a breath of fresh air, true American patriots and an inspiration to all! I thank you again for the opportunity to wave the Flag for this great nation and our Troops! Hugs and all best, C.P.
Thank you and have a blessed day as you go to the hill. We are preparing for our son's visit and are so excited for his return on Fri. or Sat. You welcomed him so graciously in Bangor when his group made a stop in Mar 07 in route to Iraq. I will never forget the joy I felt in my heart as I looked at those photos on your web site for the first time and the warm cozy feeling is still there everytime I visit the pictures. We are so grateful for your love and compassion for your son and all the soldiers. Thanks and thanks again. God bless you too. Judy In NC
My son just called from the airport in Maine. He gave me your website and email address. He said that the ladies had taken pictures. As you know any pictures I can ever get of my son are tremendously important. I thank you so much for being there. To know that he got such a great reception and to know that he will forever remember your kind words, deeds and faces means the world to me. This is his second deployment and in my opinion the most dangerous. I will continue to check your website for the pictures. Thank you all for your tremendous work you are truly appreciated. Proud Mom of Corporal J. C. A., 2nd Marines
My daughter shipped to Afghanistan yesterday and you were there to greet her in Maine. She called me from there to make sure I would go to the website and see the pictures. She said it would make her feel better to know that I saw her as she continued her journey. She only turned 19 in January and is the youngest in her unit. Needless to say this is extremely tough for all of us. I know that she is an excellent medic and will be a great help to many while she is gone. I look forward to seeing the pictures you took of the 602nd. Thank you so much for what you do. B.R.
Ladies, It was great to receive such a warm welcome in very cold place at a very late hour. Thanks for reminding us what we are fighting for - the freedom to live as we wish, say what we want to, and be proud of our great country. I hope to see you again on our way back to the States! Respectfully, "Paddy" Colonel, USMC
Dear Elaine, JoAnn & Carmen: Thank you very much for forwarding the photo of our son. We believe you efforts are exceptional, both for the troops and families. You and our son Lee share a common philosophy in that your strive to help our soldiers from a positive reinforcement standpoint and Lee helps them from the medical side as he is a doctor. What a great combination. Thank you again. What a huge contrast from those who choose to picket and protest, even appearing at the funerals of these boys. God help us. Jim P.
Dearest Freeport Flag Ladies and Friends, Thank you so much for taking care of us in Bangor! I was on the flight of the first wave of Marines on the 29th of January and you put a few pictures of me on your website. I am going to share them with my Mom and Dad who will appreciate them the most, and I am also sharing this message, and your website address. Your organization is very special and I think it's important for you to hear from us in uniform how we recognize that you really make a difference in our lives, if only for a few moments together at the airport. Sometimes, as these commitments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom press on, (this is a third OIF deployment for me personally since 2003, and the longest to date for one year), it can start to feel by watching the news and going about working in our profession that so much of our own free nation would prefer to not deal with these commitments at all anymore. However, I am part of a group of Marines who still sincerely believe that our work overseas can impact a great long term service to America, improve the state of affairs of the world at large, and naturally support America's strategic goals that are honorable, despite the critics. Even though I miss my own family dearly while doing this job, the work we Marines are responsible for in Iraq is certainly no longer dealing with the removal of an evil regime, those days are long over. The work of the Marines today is two fold. The first piece of hard work is squarely centered on maintaining a continuance of security and tolerable peace for the people, unified in this effort by partnerships with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi Army, and even the citizens of Iraq stepping up to the plate to participate in neighborhood watch programs. Through the improved security successes of these partnerships working together, a second and most exciting goal is to see the country of Iraq settle into a return to normalcy, but a normalcy that perhaps is also a new promising life ahead for future generations. This second focus is for us Marines collectively doing everything we can do to help the citizens of Iraq find their own path towards self-governance, to help them establish a justice system that works, to help them support a national government that works for all, and most importantly to participate in their journey of building for themselves a better quality of life. This is only possible because of the first goal of security being achieved. As we all know, it has taken patience and tenacity to get there with the first goal, and it will continue to be an ongoing effort for all. From the grass roots community precinct levels, the needs of the people for essential services like water, food, electricity, better hospitals, better schools for kids, and all around town infrastructure are being addressed. They are being consolidated with the help of Marines like me and making the slow but promising journey of addressing these issues to city council members, who in turn directly affect their communities but also communicate upwards to provincial leadership, who in turn communicate ultimately to the new and developing Government of Iraq. Today, deployments that just started for our waves of Marines that came through your airport are settling into challenging periods of deliberate effort. The mission for us every day is to work as hard as we can towards what carries the potential to be a promising future for a people who had no hope of living a better life before decisions were made for America to get involved, regardless of America's original intent or causes of world wide concern at the time this all started. It is time of hope for the future. Way down at my level, Marines like me are going to community precinct meetings, listening to community members coming together to make improvements, and directly assisting in that effort to unify themselves and forge a better quality of life for their children. None of it seems perfect, but to watch businessmen and contractors come together in concert with community leaders and set priorities for improvements is an exciting thing to witness. For me personally, I especially like seeing the elementary schools in my sector get renovated, rebuilt, or improved so that the children can be promised a brighter future for themselves through education. This is just one example of the desires of the Iraqi people. These desires are not our own. It is their cause. It is their future. There will come a time when America will decide that we have helped enough, so in the meantime, we are making sure that every moment counts where our involvement in these efforts are focused on helping them to take the opportunity to help themselves. We are their guides. And we are very proud to be a part of that. This is a noble cause for military men and women of America to show that we care about other people's success in life. To you, the Freeport Flag Ladies and all of your friends, I write this letter to you today to with great emotion because the fact that you all take your own energy, your own resources, your own sincerity, and especially your own time to show us that YOU believe in us and our work, this touches our hearts. Thank You So Much, God Bless, and Semper Fidelis, CW02 S. M. D. 2d Battalion, 11th Marines Civil Affairs Team Leader Camp Baharia, Fallujah, Iraq
Hello - First, thank you for all your hard work and effort. I can't tell you the comfort seeing our Marines in such good hands is to those of us at home. I am humbled by the time and energy you and your colleagues put in to this is remarkable effort and we are truly lucky that there are people out there willing to dedicate themselves to such an endeavor. Again, thank you. This means so much to many people C.B.
Elaine, JoAnn and Carmen, Thank you. You are exactly right. Sadly, I wasn't even able to see him off. We live on the East Coast and he deployed from the West Coast. The date he left/was leaving changed a dozen times before he actually left. It changed 4 times in the last week. I work also and didn't have the luxury of waiting it out in a hotel room with an infant somewhere nearby for the week(s) or so before. So I said goodbye Jan 2nd from home at the end of his Christmas break. I am grateful for that break; at least, he's been on the West Coast since August training. It was nice to see a few more pics of him in the USA. I have very few of him in uniform. It's thoughtful that you would travel so far as much as you do. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. God bless. Deb
Dear Freeport Flag ladies: I want to thank you from my heart for being there when my son left on his second deployment to Iraq. When he left the first time. I was so sad because I could not be there to see him off and give him my blessing. I just saw the pictures you took of him on his January deployment and he looks great, was smiling and I can tell you made him smile with your awesome presence! May God Bless you always! A proud mom M.S.
Thank you so much for taking care of our sons/daughters as they leave our country! It broke my heart not to be able to see my son off myself but you'll never know how much seeing his smiling face in these photos lifted my spirits. I know that you volunteer your time to do this and I cannot thank you enough. If you can email me these photos that would be great. God Bless you for all you do and giving my son such a wonderful send off. Again, thank you, your time and effort is greatly appreciated. M.O.M. (Mother Of a Marine) R.E.
Hello Freeport Flag ladies: My husband just left to Iraq. On his way there, in Bangor you were there to greet him. Thank you so much for the support and for being there to see him off. He told me about the calling cards, I am so grateful to you for granting us the opportunity to hear his voice. My boys and I are indebted to you for what you have done. Thoughtful and caring people like you make waiting for him more bearable. Today I saw his pictures. The joy you brought us in these moments of uncertainty has no price, since letters, pictures, and phone calls are all we live for now. This was the first time since he left that I was able to wipe off my tears in exchange for a smile that started all the way from the bottom of my heart. Please know that for mothers, spouses and children this means everything. I can't thank you enough for what you do. Your name should be Freeport Flag Angels. May God always bless you and keep you safe. A proud Marine wife.
Hello, I just wanted to write to you and tell you what a wonderful thing your organization is doing. As I was looking at all the photos, and seeing all the smiles that you brought to the service member's faces, it brought tears to my eyes. I can't tell you how thankful I am that there are groups like yours out there that do such great things for our service members and the families. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You! S.V.L.
Ladies! I don't even know where to start. You are all TRULY AMAZING. I am a Marine and am also married to a Marine that just deployed. I thought being a Marine would make it easier to understand him being gone but it hasn't. When he called me the other night and told me that you had taken a picture of him and I could view it online, I can't explain the joy I felt. It was really the only thing I can think of that actually made me feel a little better. A bit closer to him. I could see a glimpse of where he was and what he was doing. Without you I would have never had that. I went to your website and after reading about you three, I was almost in tears. I felt compelled to write and say thank you for your selfless efforts. I will research the website more to see how I can make a donation, or help in any other way. You are truly three wonderfully beautiful women and the Marine Corps and the military families are lucky to be blessed by yourselves. Respectfully Signed, LCpl K. T.
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, (I should address you by your individual names but I love the collective name!) I would be most appreciative to have any photos you have of my sister. … I'm so very proud of her. My sister was in the first group of women to graduate from the Naval Academy. She is a continual inspiration to me in her dedication and positive perspective. I am an Army brat myself. My Dad is from Maine. He was born in Augusta and graduated from West Point. He served two tours in Korea and two in Vietnam. My Uncle, in Maine, was a POW in WWII. Those who serve in the military have my utmost admiration. I cannot imagine sending your spouse off to war as my mother did then I marvel at them both sending their daughter off. Again, I thank you so very much for the support you give our men and women in the services! K. W.
Thank you so much for these pictures, they are a treasure for me at this time, I must agree with you that it is nice to have a picture of him smiling I know they are very brave and do everything possible not to make it too hard for their families, he called every time he had chance to do so on the day he was deployed and he those last messages he left before leaving I cherish so much. Thank you for capturing his laughter. Love L.
I checked your site today because my husband deployed on Tuesday and I was hoping to get a glimpse of him departing. Though I did not see him, I did look at everything on your site and I became overcome with emotion. God Bless you for everything you do.
My husband is a Master Sergeant in the Marine Corps and we are stationed in Hawaii. Sounds nice doesn't it? Well, we couldn't be more isolated if we were living in the North Pole. We arrived here in August with our 2 school-aged children. Our baby was born in September. My husband is now deployed to Iraq for 13 months. Not only is he deployed for 13 months but also he just spent almost a month in Camp Pendleton until he deployed. So I'm in Hawaii with our 3 beautiful children, in Hawaii, alone. That is life in the military and deployment is a part of life. I myself am a veteran of the United States Navy.
All that said, I am bursting with pride for my husband and every man and woman that defends this country. I fully support our mission in the Middle East. Thank you so much for supporting our troops. By supporting them, you support their families too. Respectfully yours, M.W.
Thank you so much for these pictures, they are a treasure for me at this time, I must agree with you that it is nice to have a picture of him smiling I know they are very brave and do everything possible not to make it too hard for their families, he called every time he had chance to do so on the day he was deployed and he those last messages he left before leaving I cherish so much. Thank you for capturing his laughter. Love L.
Hello Flag Ladies!!! I wanted to take a moment to send you a note of gratitude along with a big huge hug!! My friend and I were catching up on our Marine's recent deployment and she sent me to check out your site. Our husbands are in different companies with 2/24, you greeted them January 25th. My husband was greeted by another great group but my friend's husband was greeted by you wonderful ladies. I could see the joy pouring out of my computer screen when she messaged me saying she found his picture on your site. We both are first time mothers of beautiful little girls, hers is 7 months and mine will be 3 months, this has been a more difficult deployment as is any. People like you cushion the ups and downs of deployment and I only hope you know how much of a difference you make. I am happy to know that when our men and women leave here to serve others they are in turn being served. I could never thank you enough for the happiness you brought to my friend and I and our girls through one picture. Keep up your hard work and while you do remember: the stranger’s hand you are shaking or picture you are taking will be forever grateful and so will their families. Thanks again, Andrea
Hello Flag Ladies!!! I wanted to take a moment to send you a note of gratitude along with a big huge hug!! My friend and I were catching up on our Marine's recent deployment and she sent me to check out your site. Our husbands are in different companies with 2/24, you greeted them January 25th. My husband was greeted by another great group but my friend's husband was greeted by you wonderful ladies. I could see the joy pouring out of my computer screen when she messaged me saying she found his picture on your site. We both are first time mothers of beautiful little girls, hers is 7 months and mine will be 3 months, this has been a more difficult deployment, as is any. People like you cushion the ups and downs of deployment and I only hope you know how much of a difference you make. I am happy to know that when our men and women leave here to serve others they are in turn being served. I could never thank you enough for the happiness you brought to my friend and I and our girls through one picture. Keep up your hard work and while you do remember: the stranger’s hand you are shaking or picture you are taking will be forever grateful and so will their families. Thanks again, Andrea
I love this one! Thank you so much. My son, Pfc H., is in Iraq right now and I have great peace knowing that all of you are praying for him and his safe return. K.W.
I hope you are flooded (well, not so much as to be a hindrance), with messages that express thanks for the effort put into your marches to the hill and getting these messages out every Tuesday. I am sure those in the military and their families appreciate your support more than you will ever know. Tat's It, Mary in SE Iowa
Ladies! I just wanted to write and thank you sooooooo much for all you do especially your weekly emails to me. I wrote to you a year ago (wow I can't believe how fast it went by) when my brother-in-law was on his way to Iraq he met you ladies who took pics and sent them to us. (How wonderful that was) this week he will be on his way home to my sister (thank god) I just wanted you to know how much we appreciate everything you did and still do. You are truly a godsend. Keep up the good work.
Good Morning Ladies.... You truly are an inspiration to all who have loved ones in the military. My son left for Iraq in January 2007 and he just recently returned a few weeks ago. It was a joyous moment to see him walk through the doors at the airport safe and sound back on American soil. I just wanted to let you ladies know that while him and 6 of his very close friends were there.... every Tuesday I would paste and copy the "On the Hill" poems to all of them on there myspace. They so appreciated them. And as a tribute to all that are still there, I still post them for the few remaining that I know are still there. God Bless you all and may God keep our soldiers and their families safe... Thank you again R.C.
Dear Ladies, As always your messages hit home with us but this morning was the most dramatic. The child Katie is a reminder of one of our Blue Star Mother's granddaughter whose Daddy was in Afghanistan last year and whose uncle will go there soon. Thank you again for your constant prayers and honor for our heroes. You are an inspiration to our group and pride in the American Spirit. We wish we could meet you and thank you in person someday. You would be most welcome in the "Sunshine State". Our motto, Psalm 91, sums it up for us. God Bless America, "Until they all Come Home". A Florida Blue Star Mom --ps Hope the change in the sender doesn't mean that Elaine is sick again. We will send up a prayer for her this morning. D.C.
Ladies, Thank you so much for posting the pictures of my son and his fellow Marines, you are doing a wonderful thing. Our group was there in Bangor on Jan. 25, 2008. This is my son's first deployment and it has been very hard on those of us left behind. His new wife just called me tonight and told me of the website, it was so great to see him and some of his best buddies. I can't tell you how great it is that there are people who will give of themselves to take care of our boys. God bless you.
A Grateful Marine Mom My son called me to inform me that you nice ladies were at Bangor taking pictures. My son is with the troops that just left for Iraq. They departed on Jan 24, 2008. Please let me know when the pictures are available for viewing. I'm looking forward to seeing them. Also I wanted to let you all know that you are doing a wonderful job. All of the things that you are doing is making a difference in all of the service people lives. It reminds them of home and all of the loving support that we are trying to send their way. Thank you for all that you have done. S.M.
You are such strength and testimony to our shared convictions. Just like our fighting men and women overseas, you will not be stopped, not even by a nor'easter. May God bless you and keep you warm and well! Thank you so much! M.A.L.
Dear Ladies, Thank you so much for greeting our Marines, as they went on to fight for our country. My son, let me know that he was in Maine on his way to Germany.. Knowing that someone was there to send them off in the middle of the night, no less, makes it a bit easier. Again Thank you for all that you ladies have done. Mother of a Marine.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You can't imagine how wonderful it was to see pictures of my son on your website. He was one of the Marines deploying out of Pease on January 12th. He is currently in Iraq and is going to look up your website so that all the guys can see themselves. He was able to call me using the phone card you gave him! I also passed on the website to all my family. You are wonderful people to do so much for our boys. It makes my heart swell with pride to not only be the mother of a United States Marine, but to be an American. Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My God bless you and keep you. OOOOORAHHHH!!!!!!
Gail Proud Marine Mom to L.Cpl. J Thank you so much for your faithfulness to our troops. I’ll never forget the send off you all gave our son at the Bangor airport in January of 2006. That was a tough time, but you’re kindness brought smiles to our faces. It was so wonderful for you to provide cell phones for the troops to call home one last time stateside. The picture of him talking to us was absolutely the best. In less than three weeks we will be traveling from Maryland to North Carolina to welcome our son home. It has been a long year, but your weekly message always reminded us that we were not alone. God bless the Freeport Flag Ladies. With gratitude, N.F.
You are such strength and testimony to our shared convictions. Just like our fighting men and women overseas, you will not be stopped, not even by a nor'easter. May God bless you and keep you warm and well! Thank you so much! M.A.L.
Hi ladies, Just to let you know mike got your Christmas package in Dec. and was very happy, and enjoyed it, and shared with all his buddies. Mike should be getting out of Iraq sometime in the middle of May 08 please keep him in your prayers, and all the troops. Keep up with the good work that all you angles do. Mike is doing fine, just can't wait to get home. I’ll keep you posted on mike. Thanks again G.Z. Armymom882
Hello, My name is Paula. I have 2 sons; Scott who is currently serving in Iraq and Michael who left for Iraq today. They are both in the Marine Corps. Michael just called from the airport; He said that your group greeted him and his fellow Marines as they came into the airport. I just wanted to take a minute to say Thank You. In this election year there is not a lot of patriotism actually being shown to our military. So many people say they support the troops but your group actually makes them feel it. It meant a lot to him and me. Thank You from a Marine Corps Mom, P.J.
How sweet of you to reply to my message. I never expected it...I feel very proud of you ladies also for your showing support for OUR troops. My grandson has some medical problems but will be ok...he is alive and home. My heart goes out to all the families and our service men and women. May God send His loving Angels to keep them safe... Keep up the good work...Lovingly, Rosalie
Hello To All I am a Army Retiree My son Left For Iraq Jan 8 th with the 3rd ID …He called me from there before he left and he was so happy and surprised he said that you people made him feel wonderful. I told him I know how he feels When I came back from Iraq in 1991 It was the greatest feelings in my life I want to thank you all very much for showing our troops that we are all behind them till we can get them all home well thank again and god Bless Paul
Hi there! I was wondering if I could have the pictures of my husband forwarded to me. I and the troops whole heartedly appreciate what you do. Thank you for taking care of my husband on his way to his third deployment. I miss him already and I love seeing the pictures of him. Again, thank you so much. Sincerely, L. T. - wife of Sgt. USMC
I want to say thank you for all of your prayers. You were there to see my son off when he left for Iraq and you gave me strength when things got tough. You also where there to greet him yesterday when he came back. I guess I just want you to know that what you do is so important and I for one am very grateful. Happy New Year to all. SincerelyJ.H.
Dear Elaine, I appreciate so much what you do!! And your letters and poems and pictures have been appearing on my screen for a couple of years now, and it is so wonderful. My husband was in Iraq from January 2004 to February of 2005 with the Big Red 1! Our son just got home last week with the 1st Cavalry out of Ft Hood. I am so thankful you and others could be there in Bangor to send them off, as well as welcome them home. Thanks again, I do appreciate your efforts. I keep you in my prayers and close to my heart. I wish we lived closer to a military installation so I could do something half as wonderful as you do. Sincerely, S. Q.
Thank you for taking time from your families & friends this busy Christmas to remember the military and us (their families!) who are separated this Holiday season. My husband is in Iraq and very missed this month and always. He's been gone nine months now. It means a lot to me that you went to the hill on the 25th. Bless you & yours! Let's all pray for Peace. Take care, Jodie ~A proud Army wife~
Hello Freeport Flag Ladies, SGM Paul Easterday and I would like to thank you for sending the Christmas care package and card. Our Soldiers appreciate the goods and we appreciate what you are doing for all military personnel. Have a blessed holiday season and, again, thank you. MAJ Mi. M. Commander Task Force 106 / Troop E 105th CAV
Elaine, Thanks for each weeks inspiring update. I look so forward to seeing what your going to say and what you think of our GREAT Land where we live and how thankful we should all be for our freedom. I really appreciate all that you do, as you're the last that see many of our soldiers leaving the US soil. Thanks again, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming year. T. M. MSG/Ret
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, I can not tell you how grateful I am that people like you take the time out of your busy lives to support our troops. My son called me a few days after arriving in Kuwait to tell me that he had been greeted at the airport in Maine by a group of people. He was touched by this outpouring of kindness, and he could not believe that people like you would be waiting to greet him and his fellow soldiers at 3:30 a.m. He told me that you handed him a coin that he now carries with him in his right breast pocket. My heart almost exploded with pride when I searched your web site and found pictures of my American Soldier. There are no words deep enough to thank you for the kindness that you have shown and continue to show our troops. Proud Army Mom of the 10th Mountain Division (Climb to Glory)
Greetings, I don't know if you will remember me, however I recently came through Bangor Maine with my organization, 94th Brigade Support BN. There are no words that can express my gratitude for what you and all the others did when we came through. My battalion commander and I truly appreciate the warm welcome. Anyway, wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. CSM O. W.
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, An army wife from Fort Polk, LA who just said my goodbye to my husband for a 15mo deployment to Iraq, I was quickly notified of your website through fellow wives and had to check out your site immediately. And I must say, it is truly inspiring what you do. To see people take time out of their lives and devote to a purpose such as this pulls on my heartstrings. Unfortunately my husband skipped Bangor but I know of wives here at Fort Polk who have caught pics of their husbands and it made them happier than you can possibly imagine. Or maybe its because you can imagine what joy this brings to people and that's why you do it. I truly applaud your generosity of time and money to support the cause you do. Thank you for this site, and for taking pictures of our men and women as they pass through. They often times don't get the due respect and honor that they deserve and it’s nice to see a group of people who do. You are true angels. And may God bless you. Thank You, Sincerely,J.O. wife of SGT N. O. 4-10th Mnt Division - currently Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-2009
I want to thank you guys for your support and caring for our marines and corpsmen. My husband flew out of Bangor on September 15 (my birthday) for Iraq. And all I could do was cry, it was the worst birthday ever, but when he called me from the airport and told me about you guys and the pictures you took it cheered me. I went online and saw many WONDERFUL photos of him taken by yall. It is so nice to see strangers caring for them the way that their families do. I know that several of the marines were amazed and talked about yall for a long time. I know it has taken me a long time to write this email, but I do want you all to know that those photos were the best thing I could have gotten for my birthday this year. Thank you soo much for the support your provide all of our troops, and know that we appreciate it. Your work does not go unnoticed! Thank you again. Semper Fi, M.R.
God Bless! As I desperately searched each page looking for my son's face and not finding him, my heart sank in despair. How could he say they were snapping his picture and yet none were found on the web pages? How could he leave the safety of this county and the love of his family and not even a picture of him on the last truly safe ground? Perhaps if I wrote to the Flag Ladies they might have some they just weren't posting. They couldn't post them all could they? The site would be huge. What do you ask? Do you have a picture of a tall, bald young man that is my son? Aren't they all tall, bald sons? It was worth a try. And God bless the Flag Ladies!! You did it! You came up with the most handsome picture of my tall, bald, son. He's never been quite so handsome and I've never been quite so proud and certainly never so grateful. To the Flag Ladies - there are words to express the heartfelt gratitude of the mothers left here on the safe soil. I pray he darkens your doors once more and you get to take his picture yet again. Until that time, know that his father and I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Your valuable work is beyond measure. Proud mother of PFC J.T.
I just wanted to Thank you ladies for all that you do for our Troops. As a Mother of a deployed Soldier it is a blessing to know we have people like yourselves who devote your time to Support our Troops. God Bless you all. I loved viewing all the pictures on your web site. God Bless our Armed Forces! Kudos to Elaine, Carmen and Jo Ann....Hugs from an Extremely Proud 10th MT Army Mom
I wanna say thank you for all the support you give to our troops and also wanna thank you for taking a picture of my brother…I can't begin to tell you just how much that meant to me and my family. Him and I are very, very close. I think we are closer then any other brothers could be. When we are together there is no stopping us. Again I want thank you from the bottom of my heart. We need a lot more people like you all in America. These troops are what it is all about. God bless each and every one of you. Ed
Hello, First I would like to say appreciate all that you do for our soldiers. My husband deployed Nov. 25th from Fort Polk. C. Co BSTB 4/10. I was wondering if you were able to get pics of his unit when they came to Maine. Spending our first anniversary, and our first two Christmas’s alone is really going to hurt. But as a military wife, it is a sacrifice that we must make for operation Iraqi freedom. Again thank you so much for supporting our troops and making them feel like everything they are doing for our country is well worth the fight. God bless all of you. Keep up the great work! Yours Truly,T.C. Proud Army Wife
Good morning ladies- I just wanted to send a thank you for the pictures that you took of my husband and his counterparts in 10th Mountain 2-4 Infantry Division on November 27th. Since I could not be there it really helped me feel that I was closer to him just by seeing those pictures. Please keep doing what you are doing because it is a great thing! Thank you again and God Bless, M.B.
What a wonderful thing you are doing! We're fairly new to the military. This is the first deployment we've been through. I don't know if that makes it easier or harder. I had no idea people did this sort of thing for the soldiers and their families. I cannot find the words to express my appreciation. My husband called from the Bangor area at about 3:30 am so the kids weren't able to talk to him. I told our children that someone took his picture while we were on the phone - now they've seen pictures of it. This really is a blessing. Thank you so much! I would love it if you could send me the pictures: Thanks again for everything you're doing. Sincerely, P.M. Proud Army Wife
Freeport Ladies, I want to extend my sincerest thanks for all that you do. I am an Army wife and my husband passed through there a week ago on November 26th at Bangor. There are some really great pictures of him and his fellow 10th Mountain soldiers out of Fort Polk Louisiana. It was such a blessing to be able to see at least one last picture before he departed for Iraq. It is so refreshing to see people so thankful for his service. The deployment has been really difficult for the both of us and seeing others thankful for our sacrifices eases the painful separation some. May God bless you all, T.C. Proud Army Wife
I just wanted to say a big heartfelt "Thank You" for posting the pictures of the 10th Mountain guys from Fort Polk. It brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face to see our guys. Also, the use of your cell phones was wonderful. I really didn’t expect to get a call from my husband. So, that was a definite unexpected surprise. I cant thank you enough for what you have done for us wives back home. God Bless you, D.F. D CO 2-4 INF Family Readiness Group Leader
Hello, I just became aware of your website and I have to thank all of you for what you do for our soldiers. It is a wonderful thing you do. It also means so much to all of us family members to hear from their soldiers once more before they go "over the pond". It is hard for those of us who stay behind but knowing that along the way our loved ones have the opportunity to meet with wonderful people like you who show them how much they are appreciated, means so very much. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hi ladies, Even though I didn't catch a full view glimpse of my fiancé. I wanted to thank you for giving all those soldiers support when they really need it. I know that when anyone goes up to my fiancée shakes his hand and says thank you, the biggest smile shows up on his face and he really feels great about himself and proud. Thanks for shaking his hand and saying thank you before he got on that plane. Sincerely, K..
Thank you so much for what you do!!! I had no idea! It helps to see all the guys going through the airport and looking somewhat normal anyway..... If you could email me that would be great. It was nice to actually see him smile again.... Although I am pretty sure you must have caught him off guard to get him on camera..... Thank you so much!!
Hi ladies, I wanted to take a moment to let you know how appreciated these little anecdotes are every Tuesday... I haven't seen my soldier in eight months, with eight more to go, and it gets very difficult sometimes... your words are always a little bright spot in my day and they remind me that many people are facing these same challenges, and it's all for a greater good. Thank you. -A.S.
Hello, I know you are busy and I cannot thank you enough for what you do! My brother came through your airport today and was greeted and photographed by you guys. It meant more than words can express to him and my family. Do you happen to know when the pictures will be posted? Again thank you so much for everything you do. God Bless -Seth
Hi. First I would like to thank you for your hard work and support of our troops. It is nice to see Americans that are so appreciative of the service they provide and compromises they make for our freedom. My husband deployed today from Fort Polk and he had a layover in Maine. He told me his picture was taken and that a copy would be put on your website. How long does it take before pictures are posted? I would love to have a copy of the picture...especially since it was a photo of him calling home and talking with me.... Your kindness is greatly appreciated at this time. Thanks again, T.R. | ||
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