Dear "Dave"

Update: 12/20/07: Please go over and welcome "Dave" home...

Our friend "Dave" is on his way home from Iraq -- this most recent deployment done. As he says, he's one of the lucky ones that get to come home for Christmas. So I'd like to share this open letter from us to Dave and his family:

Dear Dave,

We are so delighted that you have come home safe to your wife and children. They have missed you every single minute you have been away!

We'd like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for serving this Great Country. Thank you for accepting that you would miss all those minutes and hours and days with those you cherish most in life. We are so sorry for the holidays and birthdays and anniversaries you have missed (once again), but we understand as we know you understand, "that some must go to fight..." Thank you for being willing (all these years) to leave the comforts of your home to work for noble ideas and causes... and not just because someone gave you orders. We have a new grandchild and there is great, great comfort in knowing that there are armies (and air forces and navies) of people like you that stand guard to protect him... and us.

Thank you for taking care of your troops and making every effort to see that everyone of them made it back to their wives and children... and their Mommas. Thank you for fighting the good fight. Thank you for doing your job so well!

Thank you for working with the Iraqis to improve their lives and for believing that it can be done... for not listening to those in our government who day in and day out told you that you could not win, would not win... and did -- and still do -- everything in their power to steal the successful Mission from you.

Thank you to your inspiring wife and your children... for even after all your years of service, they still find it a miserable experience when you are away. They carried on and I know, Dave, how proud you are of them all, but don't fool yourself thinking those frequent calls made up the distance. Their smiles this week... the frequent hugs... the renewed laughter... will tell you all you need to know.

So welcome home, Dave. You are their Hero... and ours, too!

WELCOME HOME!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO YOUR FAMILY FROM OURS!!