Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on December 21, 2008

By Vicki McClure Davidson * Frugal Café Blog Zone

I received this moving email this week. I can’t get it out of my mind. It’s from one of the soldiers I correspond with in Iraq; it made me dig deep into myself and I found unexpected inspiration in his simple words.

Just wanted to say thanks for your support. And thanks for your gifts that you sent. Because believe it or not, as a Soldier being deployed as far and as long or even as many times as some of us have, even a small thing like a card from someone saying that they really do miss and support us really helps.

Some people think that they have to go and spend alot of money all the time… But that is not necessarily true. Don’t get me wrong – it is also nice to get a package from someone out there that truly cares for what they got…and know what would happen it we did not do what we are doing… and if they had seen some of the things over here, I think that some of the people that say they don’t support the military for what ever reason… would probably change their mind, once they had seen how these folks live or have been forced to live by their own people… and I know that I don’t ever want my family or yours to have to live through this time of stuff… So I am proud to serve my country, so that we never face things like this lifestyle over here.

Anyway – Thanks again for your individual support, no matter what it is you do for us.

Staff Sergeant Swader

God bless you, Staff Sergeant Swader. Thank you for your courage, your patriotism, and your sacrifices. We appreciate all that you and your team and thousands of others do in the name of freedom. The dangers that you face daily are real. The terrorism you fight is real. Sometimes, even your most ardent supporters forget that when we get wrapped up in our own petty problems.

We also appreciate the difficult sacrifices made by your spouses, children, and other family members. Often, the sacrifices they make are forgotten or ignored.

You remind me of all that is good about America. Merry Christmas, Staff Sergeant Swader, and God bless you all. You are our heroes.

Related reading:
Michael Mandaville, Big Hollywood: Remembering Our Veterans: My Best Fourth of July

Categories: Bless Our Troops, Holidays and Family, Media & Communication, National Security, Social and Political Climate
Tags: America, Christmas, family, heroes, Iraq, military, patriotism, sacrifices, soldier, terrorists, troops, war