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Letters from Families & Troops | |
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Hello, I was apart of the flight that landed in Bangor Maine just last night. I really appreciated the support that you Ladies and your Vets showed. It was amazing. I’m glad that there are people like you in the great USA. It’s a breath of fresh air. Especially with the lack of support that we receive as it is. I believe that no matter what you should always support the troops, not always the political leaders. My family greatly appreciates it. All of ours did. Keep doing what you do for as long as you can. I know that one day I will return the favor and bring a smile to some troops when I'm retired. Again thank you. People like you make what I do for this nation worth it. A1C S. R.
Thanks so very much! You ladies are wonderful! I have talked to some of my fellow Marines that have come across you wonderful ladies before and they told me the things you do for our Marines when they are there and you are truly a GODSEND! This world needs more wonderful supportive people like you! I know that among all the Marines that you ladies meet you probably don't have the opportunity to keep in touch with them and their families Because there are so many of them. Well I will keep you updated on this group of guys and make sure that you are aware of their safety, or God forbid, injuries that they may need prayers for. I have enclosed a picture of my husband and I so that you might know what we look like in civilian attire and when we are well rested (he looked mighty tired in that picture). I love my husband and miss him so very much, he is the epitome of what a husband should be and I thank you for your support and prayers for his safety. ~Lance Corporal A.D.
Ladies, I just wanted to let you know that your commitment to our great country is an inspiration to us all! Keep up the great work. God bless, CPT DJ C.
Hello this is my husbands unit. Thank you so much for doing this. I would like to know if you could send me the picture from April 20th in Bangor page 9 third photo down the one on the left of the blonde ( handsome) guy on the laptop... with the yummy lips and... ok never mind hahahahahaha could I have this picture of my husband. I want to put it on a t-shirt for our 4 year old. Daddy is his hero. Even more then Batman he says. I want you to know how much seeing these pictures means to me and the rest of our marine families. Thank you again so much. A. B. KVC
What a nice surprise this note was this morning. Our son is doing fine. He won't be home until early next March because he is doing a 15-month rotation. He is a military intelligence officer and is stationed east of Baghdad at FOB Loyalty. We are so very proud of all our men and women in the military and my heart soars when I see them here and there. But, like you, we are so proud of his wife and two children who carry on at home as all the others do. Thank you for your support. Those parting pictures of our son are on our refrigerator and on our computer screen and they also are on all of our extended family refrigerators and computers. And, I know those pictures mean as much to all the military families out there. What a wonderful service. If I lived in your area I would love to be a part of your work. The least we can do is make a donation. And, those Tuesday morning thoughts and poems make each day that Patrick is gone just a little easier. They are so appreciated. Thank you! K.M.
My son just returned from Iraq. I only recently show the photos and became aware of the wonderful things you do. I want to let you know how much I appreciate you. And I want to thank you for being there for my son as well as the many others. You are truly a wonderful group! May god bless you! Thank you sincerely, J.T.- Joplin, Mo
Hi ladies, I want to thank you for all of the support you have shown our soldiers. It means a lot to us, our families and the people that love us. Keep up the good work. C.D.
Hello Ladies, I just got off the phone with my husband (from Rome NY) who was in Bangor and on his way to Iraq and he told me what you did for the soldiers. I can't thank you enough for letting him use your cell phones to call home. I wasn't expecting to hear from him and it was the best surprise!! I was put at ease knowing he had arrived safely and it meant a lot to hear his voice. My son who is four is having a really hard time knowing he won't see his Dad for so many months. It meant so much to us that my husband was able to say goodnight to him, when we don't know when he will be able to do that again. My husband couldn't say enough about the people that were there to send them on their way, the love and support was greatly appreciated by him and the soldiers in his unit. \ I work at the local V.F.W. and I would like to let our Commander know the great work that you do, so if you have specific donations that you are looking for please let me know. I am definitely referring him and our Auxiliary President to this site! Thank you again for doing what our soldiers family members could not be there to do and my son and I will look forward to seeing his picture on the site. God Bless You Stacey
I am so happy to know that my daughter had a motherly face to see her off at the airport on May 6,2008. My daughter was one of the Alabama soldiers you met Tuesday. I would like to request the print of her for my family. … We would like to make a donation to the Flag Ladies in Honor of The 25 APS of the 908th from Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, Please let me know where to send it to.. Thanks again for all you do, as a first time deployment mom you are special to me. Sincerely,Brenda
Dear Carmen, Elaine, and JoAnn, I wanted to express my appreciation to each of you for all you do to support our military and their families. Words cannot express how it touched my heart to see the picture of my son and his fellow Marines before deployment in April. Thank you for taking the time and being so dedicated to do this for the military families. May God bless each of you. Sincerely, B.B. proud mother of 1st Lt S. McD. P.S. I will be sending a donation to help with your efforts and noticed your mailing address. Freeport seems like a wonderful place with wonderful, caring folks. Oh yes, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!
Greetings from North Carolina, Would you please email me the photo of CMSgt S. It was tough for him and all of us to have him leave on this trip knowing it’s for a full year and our 2 teenage daughters and I miss him already. Thank you for all your support there in Bangor, to not only my husband, but also all the troops who pass through there. I know how much they appreciate your outpouring of love and support at a rather stressful time. Kind regards, N.S.
Hello Flag Ladies Thank you very much for greeting us at Bangor prior to leaving for the Middle East. Your heartfelt warmth brought many smiles from the Soldiers. Also thanks for taking pictures and posting on the Internet. The Soldiers enjoyed them. With Warm Regards, LTC M. C. and the 311th ESC (headquartered from Los Angeles, CA)
Congratulations on being in the issue of Readers Digest, what an honor. I will be on the lookout for the July issue I have always enjoyed reading the articles in Readers Digest. I am so excited for you ladies and what you are doing. Being in an article in one of their books will bring home to the American people that we are still in a war and that we as Americans are still supporting our troops. Thank you so much for bringing that fact to the forefront. I know from personal experience that we tend to forget what is going on over in Iraq. Actually, I had not heard about the explosion until my son called and I went online to search for some articles that I found a few small articles on the explosion. Even from last year the news of our men and women being killed is not making “the news” the way that it did a year ago. Our men and women should not be forgotten and the sacrifices that they are making along with the date of 9-11 which cost many American lives I can’t wait to read the article and see the pictures in the Readers Digest about you ladies and what you are doing. Once again Congratulations
Hello Ladies, I am writing from Southern California, I just got off the phone with my dad who stopped there in Free port, and I wanted to say thank you on behalf of my mother, brother and sisters, for allowing my father to use the cell phones to call us and to let us know that he was okay landing from North Carolina. This is his first trip out to the Middle East for a year and we are all very nervous, he has been there a week here and there to see where he is taking his troops, since he is the Command Sergeant Major of his unit. So any little bit of time that we get to hear his voice is very much appreciated and treasured, So thank you, thank you, thank you! for what you are doing, I cannot say thank you enough! You are all amazing! Thanks again! We will be keeping up with your site as well; He said a picture of him will be on your site in a couple days. Thanks again! J.A.
Dear Ladies. I want you to know how thankful I’m to have heard from my husband of how wonderful it was to be greeted by you wonderful and caring people. I was amazed to hear of the show of love to my husband and all the other military members from complete strangers. I want to tell you how much it meant to my husband and myself that he was welcome with cheers, applaud and loving hugs. I was very impressed. My husband just forwarded me the site where his picture was found and I was amazed to see all that love combined in one small area. I am so pleased to be able to see my husbands smiling eyes, how I miss them so. Thank you all for the wonderful love that you show my husband and all the other men and women of the military. I’m so thankful for this truly amazing gift of love. This shows of the true example of Jesus Christ in each and everyone one of you. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I know that our five children will be so overjoyed to see their daddy on the Internet. I thank you for making my day a better one while my husband is so far away. Sincerely, R.J.
Thank you from the bottom of my children and my hearts. First I cannot tell you how your dedication and support has touched my heart and all those who I have shared your site with! Thank you so much for loving my soldier enough to spend your time ministering and loving on these soldiers! May the Lord richly bless you for all of your encouragement to others! I will never forget the peace it gave me to speak with him during his travels, and the opportunity you provided for him to call home! In His love and service, Lisa, Army wife
I also really would like to say thank you for what you are doing! I am also a United States Marine and it really means a lot to me that there are people in this world that are willing to dedicate there time and efforts to make sure that the Marines feel at home, comfortable, and welcome. Thanks so very much and I look forward to receiving those pictures from you! Have a blessed day! A.D.
I want to thank you and all the people who come out to see our boys off. It was very comforting to know that they are appreciated and taken care of to and from there appointed destinations I was fortunate to be able to see my son one more time. It made me feel good to know that the ones without family there where seen to. The whole operation at the airport was very impressive and well appreciated. You give your time at all hours of the day and night. God Bless you and your group for all you do. I will never forget it and hope to see you on their safe return home. Many thanks, P.A.
Thank you so much for all you do and to drive 2 hours just to do it as often as you do is amazing. We love you for being so wonderful. We completely understand that you cannot be at every flight and we are grateful for the ones you make. C.G.
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, My husband left this past Monday, April 21st 2008 from Fort Campbell, KY to Iraq. This is his second tour. They told him he would probably be in Iraq for about 15 months. We have been married for a year and a half and are pregnant with our first baby. I am due in October, and he hopes to fly home for the delivery. He told me that his picture was taken by mainetroopgreeters.com when he was connecting flights in Bangor, Maine. I looked up the site, and there was his picture, along with his unit! He was on the phone with me when they took it. J I keep it up on my computer at work and at home. They also took video of his flight arrival to the airport. I replayed it over and over for about an hour. Lol I went thru their site and also thru yours, and saw all those amazing pictures of the group of ladies who volunteer their time to send the troops such wonderful care packages. As I looked at each picture, they made me tear up because of the love and care you put into them. I just wanted to say thank you so very much for all the support you show the troops. It is so great to know that we still have people who care for them. Keep up the great work Ladies!! May God Bless you All.
US ARMY Wife, J.H. Dear Flag Ladies, I am anxiously awaiting the homecoming of my U. S. Marine son, along with all of his Battalion. Some of them have already arrived home, so I was checking to see if you had posted any photos of them. As I browsed a few of the photos, I was brought to tears ... I am so happy for them that they are home! And happy for their families! And I can hardly wait until I can again see photos of my son's company on your site! What you do to welcome our troops home as they first arrive on U.S. soil is something I am so grateful for. I am grateful, and I thank you, for being there to greet them, thank them. What you do on behalf of your patriotic fellow Americans is appreciated. So in the next few days, I will thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the warm, friendly faces that my son and his fellow Marines will encounter when they first step off that airplane when arriving back on U.S. soil! Thank you Flag Ladies!!! ~Patty Very Proud Mom of LCpl Patrick 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
Dear Ladies, Thank you for what you are doing. I know the guys really appreciate the support. My husband was one of those that flew out this past Monday. This is his second time to Iraq. I just wanted to let you know how great it was to see the love and support strangers can have. We have three children and they, along with myself very much enjoyed seeing the pictures of him and his unit. You in a way allowed us to be there with their daddy. Thanks again Ladies for what you doing. M.H., Tennessee
Thanks for being so welcoming to my husband's group as they were being deployed to SouthWest Asia last week. You all do a great job of making the troops feel welcome at a time when they are likely feeling some anxiety about their upcoming mission. Thanks! C.B.
I can't thank you ladies enough for what you do. Two years in a row, you have posted photos of our son as he leaves the states for Iraq. It is always nice to get just that one more photo. I know you give lots of things to our guys, and we appreciate it very much. But this Mom wants to say thank you for taking time to go to the Airport and take photos of our military families and post them for our families to enjoy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Blessings to each of you K.T. Very Proud Marine Mom from Kansas
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies -- Just wanted you to know that my son returned to Camp Pendleton safely from Iraq on Friday, April 25th! He is coming home to Fort Collins Colorado in a few days! I want to thank you for giving me so much comfort with the uplifting pictures you took and sent of him on the day of his deployment and for all of your subsequent messages. You are all wonderful and appreciated! Love,C.M. Proud Mother of 3 U.S. Marines (now all home and safe)
Ladies, I just received another package of goodies from all of you. Thank you so much for your continued generosity and selfless support. It is truly heartwarming, and I can guarantee you that all of it goes to quick and good use. As I had just coincidentally received a care package from my family, I decided to share your treats with some more junior troops who are working near here, exposed to the elements much more than we arehere in our office-type environment. The box (unopened, so all I know is that it had "Candy and Toys" inside) was b rought over to the 4th Sustainment Brigade Convoy Support Team by MAJ Maria G. (Thanks, Maria!), so don't be too surprised if you receive a Thank You from them as well. G.D., LTC,MC,USAR
Elaine, JoAnn and Carmen, Thank you for the compliment and for the kind email you sent to my wife, Kathleen. As far as the morale boost… I’ve been in 23 years and almost lost my composure when I arrived in Bangor. I’ll work that much harder now to make you guys proud of what we do here in Iraq Please look at the included pictures. I carry your “penny” as a good luck charm when I fly. It’s a special personal reminder to me that there are caring people in the US. Take care, Respectfully, CW4 ,E.K.
Dear Flag Ladies, Hi! My name is Megan, and I am a big supporter of what you are doing for our troops! I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the totally honorable things you ladies do every week! My boyfriend is one of the many Marines you welcomed into the Bangor airport on March 30 of this year! He was a bit nervous when he was at the airport, and when he called me to talk to me about it; I was pained deeply over the fact that I wasn't there to ease his fears in person. This is his first deployment, and this has been my first time being separated from him for such a long period of time, so we were both very nervous. But both he and I wanted you to know that you eased his worries by just being there for him and giving him the slightest smile and hug. It means a lot to the both of us. He was giving me his 'final call' from the States at the same time you ladies were taking pictures with him! It was so exciting to find his pictures on the Internet, and I have to say that I have held onto them and cherished them ever since! I just wanted to speak for the both of us by saying "Thank you" for all you do! I can't tell you how overjoyed it made me feel, knowing that someone was with him and supporting him when he needed it the most. When I couldn't be there, you were. You ladies do a very special service for the military and their families, friends, and loved ones. I just want you to know that both Jeremy and I are very grateful for all you do, and we respect you a great deal! God Bless You! Sincerely, M.O.
Oh, thank you so much for your reply. The work you do is SO special and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You were my lifeline when my son deployed the first time last year. I cannot tell you how I felt when I saw his photo and that of the other guys in his platoon. It helped us through the dark times. I totally understand that you cannot meet every flight. I was just checking to be sure there was not some other place I was to be looking and missed it. Thank YOU for all that you do to make the troops feel loved and supported. No words can express our gratitude. Our son was so deeply moved last year by the reception, the love, and the support you showed him. How can we support your efforts? With much love and gratitude, Pat, Proud Marine Mom
Our son deployed recently and this is a very emotional time for his wife, Dad and I. He called us from the airport at Pease and was so excited about the welcome they received. We received notice of your website and pictures taken that day and we got to see our son in several of them. I just want to express to you all our gratitude for the sacrifice you make for our troops. We will save your website and share with all of our families and friends. Thank you so much for sending our son off with many gifts and the greatest of them all was the giving of yourselves and making them feel appreciated. You all are the greatest, thank you for all you do. S.R.
Freeport Flag Ladies, I happened across your website today on accident but I looked through it thoroughly and had to write you to express my gratitude. I am truly in awe of your patriotism and I pray that there are others out there as dedicated to our troops and our country as you women are. It brought a smile to my face to think that every week for 6 six years you've waved our great flag for all who pass by to see. I want to thank you for you're enthusiasm and commitment to our young men and women fighting to keep us safe. God bless you! S.T. Torrance, California
I would like to thank you so so much for what you all do. It is such a beautiful thing, May God bless you all for the love and the support you give to these man and women that serve higher ideals. My husband passed through Maine, he didn’t get into any of the pictures, but looking at all the other soldiers, sailors, airman and marines made me feel so pleased and thankful for what you have been doing. They need a smile and a pat on their shoulders. Thank you again I.B.M.
Hello again Ladies and men, I feel I have a firm grip on what it means to be patriotic, but each of you example patriotism with as much grace as you do consideration, our brave warriors of freedom are blessed by each of you. My young son who is a hard-core infantry Marine and relies heavily on intellect and logic to sort out the dangers and complexity of humanity, so needless to say Jon is baffled by your hearts in action. Thank you for doing the work of many when it comes to exampling love, as God would share it. Jon will be landing on American soil next week and will be as overjoyed about that as he will be to experience your generous reception. My prayers are with your teams for I see all of you as leaders. M.J.
Dear Ladies, I can't thank you enough for all of the dedication that you have to our troops. I recently saw 2 photos of my husband on your "troops at Bangor" (My husband was returning to Iraq after his 2 wks R&R. We have 2 small boys, ages 3 and 5 and we know it is just as tough on him to leave us, as it is for us to see him go. It makes me feel good knowing the he sees support from others across this wonderful country, and not only from our local military town. The news does not show how much good we are doing overseas and I think that at times, the military is under appreciated. I know that you are in only a few locations, but know that your kindness and support reaches us all across the country. From all of the military families here at Ft. Hood, TX and across the country. THANK YOU!! May the Lord Bless you ladies and the work that you do. Sincerely,
Hi, I also wanted to write to you and say thank you. I say this with tears in my eyes, I truly want to thank you for the welcome and send off that you and the other ladies have given our boys. There are so many that say they support our troops but not what they are doing. It does this mom good to know that there are others out there that truly support our boys. Thank you once again, VPMM of LCpl AJ (deployed K.K.
I want to thank you for the reply. I also want to thank you for the pictures you were able to take. It still does a mothers heart good to know that god has angels on earth. I would like to share a short story with you. This is my son's second deployment. I went to the first deployment and his return. I will tell you know that the day he came home and I saw him walking on American Soil was equal to the day I saw his face for the first time. All of the boys were so happy. As a mother I expected my family to be excited but I never expected to see so many people that didn't not know our boys to be lining the streets. I have attached a couple of pictures that were taken on the drive to base. I went to the airport to follow the buses home. Thank you for the things that you do. VPMM of LCpl AJ
To The Freeport Flag Ladies: On behalf of all of the Marines of 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, I want to thank you for the very welcome Easter package. It was given to the Marines of Headquarters and Service Company that staff the Combat Operation Center here at Camp Habbaniyah. You ladies are amazing!! I’ll never forget the greeting at the airport on the way over, and here you are still finding ways of bringing cheer to us so far from home on a special holiday. The box went quick and I made sure to put your card on it so the Marines knew where it came from. We are doing well as we start our third month of the deployment. We continue to run counterinsurgency operations, including endless combat patrols, in partnership with our Iraqi counterparts. We also have done several Combined Medical Exercises where we work with local health officials to encourage citizens to come in for free health care. We haven’t had any combat injuries or deaths, although there have been close calls. Our companies are doing the heavy lifting as they cover the large area of ground assigned to the battalion, and it gets bigger as units leave that aren’t replaced. Morale is very good, and the Marines feel like they have a purpose. Although all Marines are trained for more kinetic type of combat operations, we are thankful it isn’t necessary here and hope it stays that way. There is great satisfaction in knowing that no matter the political and cultural factors, we are keeping the radical fundamentalists out of this part of the middle east and force them to distribution their operations, spreading them thin and making it much harder to recruit and train agents of terrorism to be deployed to Europe and America. Thanks again for your kindness and unwavering support!! CWO4 M.W. USMCR
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, I just want to say how much I appreciate what you do. I recently passed through the airport there – twice in two weeks, going and coming – and even though we were not going to “war,” you still came out early to greet us with the warmest welcome I’ve ever witnessed. It was so refreshing after seeing all the negative publicity regarding the wars, and a real boost for morale. We will be deploying later this year and I can only hope that we’ll pass your way again. Once again, thanks for what you do. K. S.
Good morning Sir/Ma'am I would first like to start off by saying thank you very much from the Men and Women of the 35th Security Forces Squadron, Misawa AB, Japan for all of your support for not only our unit but for all of the troops deployed or at home locations. This is a very trying time for not all our military families whether they are spouses, children, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, retired military, civilian supporters or friends of the family we are all affected in some fashion. I will just like to add, you continued service you do is above and beyond and I applauded you for that. But once again, thank you for the job you do……..!!!!
Our son deployed recently and this is a very emotional time for his wife, Dad and I. He called us from the airport at Pease and was so excited about the welcome they received. We received notice of your website and pictures taken that day and we got to see our son in several of them. I just want to express to you all our gratitude for the sacrifice you make for our troops. We will save your website and share with all of our families and friends. Thank you so much for sending our son off with many gifts and the greatest of them all was the giving of yourselves and making them feel appreciated. You all are the greatest, thank you for all you do. S.R.
The dear Freeport Ladies, I am a wife of a soldier that passed thru on March 31,before deploying to Afghanistan. I am writing you send you our deepest thanks to all of you who still remember our troops. It lets all of our families know people we have never met think us of everyday. I am grateful for people like yourselves who put others before your personal lives. Yeah you could be doing something superficial but you choose to do selfless deeds to uplift the 18yr old that is going to fight his first fight and maybe his last. Your support is heartfelt and needs to spread across the U.S.I feel as thou some has forgotten what to be a proud American is. This is my husband’s second deployment and to have a warm send off or welcome from nice people is a surprise blessing. I can't say thank you enough for all you do, God Bless You All. Sincerely~The R.Family~
Hi, Thank you so much for meeting my husband and all the other soldiers at the airport. He called me and was so happy that you were there. You got some really good pictures of my husband. I was so happy to see the pictures of him. I would like you to email me three of the pictures of him if you have time. I really appreciate everything. Thanks again for everything. Seeing him on the website really made my day! Take care, J.C.
Dear Flag Ladies of Freeport, My son was one of the soldiers you greeted on March 31st on his way to Afghanistan. Your website was forwarded to me by our FRG. When he called me to keep me informed of where he was he commented that this was the best greeting he had ever gone through and was thankful that there were phones available since his cell phone battery had died. His picture is in several of the photos on your website. You have touched my heart and made me smile this Friday evening. I am grateful to you for your support of our fine young soldiers. Thank you, again, and God bless you. P.K. Meigs, GA
Dear, Dear Ladies, Thank you for taking pictures of my son and his group as they came through you most gracious town. My son is with the 101st Airborne. Seeing him with a group of supportive and loving citizens as he takes off across the ocean and into Afghanistan was very heartwarming!! Thank you very much! L.P. Portland Oregon
Our Son is pictured on March 31, 2008 at Pease. Thank you for helping to send him off in such a joyful and upbeat way. We are very grateful to see all of the pictures of his send-off. We live in Richardson; a suburb of Dallas TX. We were not able to be present when he left Ft. Campbell Ky, though he was able to come here and visit with us in February. We give the men as good of a welcome back home as we can muster at DFW International. It is so nice to see the other coast of our great country feels as proud of our boys as we do. Once again on behalf of the C/ V Family. THANK YOU!!
Thank you SO MUCH for posting photos of the March 30 Bangor stopover of the Marines on their way to Iraq. We loved seeing our son – he was in 3 photos. You are doing a wonderful service for the families – it was comforting to see him with all his comrades and being so well taken care of and welcomed! It helps alleviate my worry. I miss him very much. V.S.
Ladies, You have no idea how much what you’re doing for our troops means to their families. I was tickled to death to get one last glimpse of my son before he headed out of country but more importantly, it makes me feel better knowing they’re all getting some more love before heading out. Thank you again for sending them off knowing their being supported and loved. Michelle
Dear Sweet Ladies, My son recently had the pleasure to meet you and all that gave him and his men of the 101st Airborne such a wonderful reception on their way to Afghanistan. I want to thank you for you love for our men and women who proudly serve our country and your commitment to making sure that the troops know that someone still cares. Thank you so much . Proud Mom of 2 Proud men who serve in The United States Army
Thanks for your message today and it helped me as we said goodbye this morning to our son returning to Iraq. Our military certainly is trying to do right, they are certainly giving and our love and support to them with keep them going day after day. Thanks ladies, for all you do, give and love for our country. Have a blessed day. JH in NC
Our daughter flew out of Bangor on March 30 and we enjoyed seeing her picture along with her friends. Thanks so much for your efforts on behalf of our troops...it brings a tear to my eye each time I'm on your site. T.V. proud father of LCpl O.V., USMC
My dear Freeport Flag Ladies, Last week my son came home from his first tour in Iraq. I thank our lord that he appears healthy and well. As we welcomed Matthew home, my heart wandered back to last august (07) when I wrote to you all and asked you to seek out my son and send me a picture. My heart was aching with dread of the unknown. I was sending into harm's way my youngest child. With an eternally grateful heart my husband and I studied your gracious reply and the attached photo of our son, big smile in tow, with one of you kind ladies. Your thoughtful act sustained us until we could hear our son's voice telling us he was okay. My son is safe at home stateside for now. He re-deploys in august '08, but your work continues. As a grateful mother I would like to participate in some way in your effort. Since I live in Florida, distance is a factor. Perhaps you could suggest some manner in which I could share in your work of the heart. Thank you, again, for the peace and joy you brought to us last summer. Blessings to you all, G.V.,proud mother,cpl. M.C. 2nd radio bn aco, usmc
My dear new friends, how generous you are with love you have for our children. I am deeply grateful for the warm send off that you bestowed upon my daughter, Sgt.J. C. USMC. I felt a quiet peace knowing that there are special people who care so deeply. That you were there during her departure. She has finally arrived at the first leg of her journey in Kuwait, tonight should be Iraq. This is her second deployment. My heart is full. I am consumed with her well being and spirit. She's an amazing woman, and a terrific daughter. I must thank you all again for your support ....and undying committment..SEMPER FI LOVE, D.C.
Dear Freeport Flag Ladies, Thank you so much for sending me the photo of my son. He is the Marine on the right with the Pepsi cup in his hand. He left for Afghanistan, on Sunday, March 16. This is his second tour. He called me from Maine late on the 16th and told me that someone from your group had taken a picture of him. He was pretty excited about it when he gave me the web site. I want you to know that if my son was excited about it, I am sure that many others are, too. It seems like a very small thing, but something so sample as a photo taken in the airport can mean so much. Please, keep doing what you are doing because it does make a difference. Thank you, A Mom from Virginia S.M.
Indeed, Elaine--that's how Jesus works! I cannot thank you all enough for the faithful witness you give. What a quiet but firm statement you make for freedom! My son now is due to return to Ft. Riley, KS, after 14 months in Iraq sometime soon! I remember when you all helped send him off on 2/8/07 in Bangor. …I don't know whether our men return the same way, but if so, I'm sure you'll be there to greet them, and I thank you again! He plans to come home to Atlanta on May 12, and I rejoice and thank God for keeping him safe there, even as I pray for all those who are there now. I will continue to be with you in spirit as you continue to keep your vigil. Thank you all, Freeport Flag Ladies, and may God bless you richly for your faithfulness! With deep appreciation, M.A.L.
Dear Flag Ladies, My son was deployed on March 16, 2008 as one of the 3200 marines heading to Afghanistan. I found your website probably the next day, but it wasn't until 2 days ago that his girlfriend called me to tell me that she found his picture on it. I can't thank you enough for the work you do for these boys. I have been very fortunate in being able to find his picture online when he has been away. Even though the only other time I did not see him for a long span was boot camp, a father visiting his son there took pictures and low and behold I was able to find him. Besides to thank you, the other reason I am writing is with regards to one of my students. She is doing her senior project on providing care-packages for this particular unit that left. The entire platoon signed a marine flag before they left and we have that posted in our classroom. I would like to put up the pictures of the guys that did the actual signing along with the flag. My son took many pictures for me on his disposable camera but they weren't developed before he left so there are very few faces I can put names to. Your welcoming of the boys that day has helped greatly as I can match my pictures to yours and see their names on their uniforms. …. Again, I thank you for your time and efforts. It makes a mother feel good that there are so many people that are also caring for her son. M.C.
I wanted to thank you for sending the pictures and for what you all are doing. My husband sounded so excited and encouraged by your visit. It meant a lot to see him after he left with a smile on his face. Please know how much your efforts are appreciated. I think what you are doing is wonderful. Thank you again, S.N.
I'm sure you do not get enough "thank you's" so here is one from the parents of a Marine that was lucky enough to make it home a year ago next month. These men and women are the real heroes of this country. You ladies helped us get through last year by showing us that there were others that cared. M.F. The proud dad of a U.S. Marine
Dear Flag Ladies, Thank you so much for being there when my son left for Afghanistan. I am sure that it means a lot to all of them to know that there are people who believe in what they are doing. I am so proud of him and all of the young men and women that give up so much so that you and I do not have to. I would really appreciate if you could forward the following pictures of my son to me. Thank you so much and keep up the great work. D.P.
Hi, first of all, I want to thank you for the warm wishes the troops received when they arrived in Bangor. I was not able to personally see my son off in NC when he was being deployed. He called me from the airport in Bangor and was near tears when he told me of all the people that were there to welcome them and to wish them well. It really made him, and the others, feel special. He was feeling quite anxious about going so far away from home and into enemy territory, but knowing that total strangers cared so much made him feel so much better. He realized just what he was doing meant to so many and he felt so proud to be part of the team. Thanks again. Thank you so much and God bless you for all you do! K.M.
Thank you so much for what you do. My son is leaving his pregnant wife and will be missing the birth of his first child while he is gone. It means so much to have you supporting and befriending him. I am so proud of real Americans like you. God Bless you all. Deborah McDaniel, mother of Sgt. Sam McDaniel, USMC.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for what you do. Not only for giving the families of the military one last look at them before they move into harm’s way, but for going out of your way to give the troops the support and morale they need. I wish all of America could be as patriotic as you ladies, myself included. Thanks again. Thanks you again for all of the time and energy you put into this great cause. A.B.
I want to thank each of you for what you do. Our son is a US Marine and deployed to Afghanistan March 16th, you all were there to greet him and his unit. This meant so much to my wife and I, Our son is the 7th Marine in the family, he is married to a wonderful wife and they just had a son who is now 4 months old. As I reflect back almost 40 yeas ago when I was a young Marine, the attitude of some people was sure different. You all have made us very proud; keep up what you are doing it is noticed. I am Security Manager for TSA at Pittsburgh International Airport, working in the Emergency Operations Center, if there is anything we can help out with please let me know, we do assist with many deploying and returning vets. God Bless all of you R. R. | ||
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