From the Front Lines

May Totals

NEVER FORGET

I’ve been sitting here for the past several hours and I think that I’ve re-written this post several times. I’ve struggled to come up with some poignant mind-message that is beyond measure, and yeah well that’s not working so I’ll just go with Plan B.

Memorial Day, Not to be confused with Veterans’ Day is the day that we pause to remember those who have given their lives while in service to their country. But sadly to most, it’s more become all about a long weekend or cookouts.

All along in the journey I’ve been privileged to write the most amazing people who are part of the best fighting force in the world. ALL of them prepared to lay down their life for me, and you and countless other people everyday.  Some of them write back, most of them don’t, but that’s okay. Some of them have also paid the ultimate price.

It’s my deepest hope that for those few, that in their final moments they knew that their sacrifice was not in vain and that their friends and family love and miss them dearly. It’s also my hope for those that I have written to know that it is for them, and their brothers and sisters still serving that I will keep writing. Because today, someone gave their life for me, so that I can live my life without fear. So today and everyday I will do everything in my power to honor that.

So, as you head out to be with friends and family, don’t forget to remember those that paid with their life to give you peace to do so.  Have fun, Have a drink in their honor, but most importantly, remember them today. NEVER FORGET the price they paid.

From Downrange • April 30th

April Totals

A picture is worth a thousand words

From Downrange: April 6, 2014

Hi Leslie,

First I would like to apologize for the late response. I had the littler in my wall locker because I wanted to reply back to but somehow it wasn't in the spot where I initially put it. I would like to thank you for everything that you do. If no one else is appreciative I would like you to know that I am.

 

Posted with Blogsy

From Downrange: 9 April 2014

    Hi leslie! Im doing fine here, just working quite a lot. But also missing home just as much. I do appreciate you taking the time to send a letter out to us in regards of our deployment. It is quite nice of you to do and very respectful! You are welcome for my service, its always a hard decision to join the military and fulfill what you want to do with it but it's the sacrifice that makes us the 1% of the nation. 

This is how I spent my Sunday

Ft Hood

In light of yesterday's tragic events, and after a lot of thought(I was not originally going to post anything other than the normal thoughts and prayers) but I feel compelled to so here it goes.
Yesterday was a tragic day, for all involved, those who lost their lives, those who were wounded and their families and the entire Army Community and Ft. Hood. It's easy to think the worst and assign blame and be angry, but after hearing everything so far yes, this was a senseless act of violence BUT, at the same time I feel for the family of this soldier. There are so many things that we do not know. But one thing is clear, the need to support those far from home is more important now than ever. It's been proven that those serving with proper support systems have a easier time transitioning back into post-deployment settings. We also need to do more to assist those who are having a hard time when they DO come home. My letters might not be much, but they are a vital part of the support process and I'll continue as long as there is a need. 

From the Front Lines: April 2, 1014

Leslie,

  

  I want to begin with a big, “Thank you for your support!”  To be honest with you sometimes, we think the American public forgets that we are at war, and that our sons, brothers and sisters are still out here fighting for our Freedom, protecting our American way of life. You are not one of them, and for that I thank you. It is an honor and privilege to serve and is more rewarding when we get letters from great people like you.

I really appreciate the opportunity to have met you through this letter and thank you for allowing me to write back. I am proud to serve our country even more when knowing; that our country is full of amazingly kind people, like you.  God Bless you and your love ones.

Thank you,

 SGT Rodriguez

 

From The Front Lines April 1, 2014

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to write a letter. It’s always a great feeling knowing that we are supported by persons like you

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

March Totals

Morning Motivation!

Free mail!

From the Front Lines 3/28/14

From SFC S:

"First thing I would like you to thank you for taking the time out just to write me. I would like to also take the time out to thank you for all the hard work you do by supporting this great Nations finest. Its great people like yourself that put smiles on FAR AWAY SOLDIERS faces. Just a warm thank you goes a long way. "

From The Front Lines

Your whole first paragraph was thanking me for what I have done for this Country and how much strength, honor and courage it takes to do so. I would like to turn the table though and thank you for all the YOU are doing for our Country. It takes just as much Strength, Honor, and Courage to support our Troops here overseas the way you are doing. It takes Strength to get the determination to send a letter, setting aside a part of your valuable day to send mail or email to someone you don't even know. Most people would end up just brushing something like that off as an inconvenience. It takes Honor because of the WAY you are supporting us. You are not one of those eccentric individuals slamming those that oppose Soldiers with rants of profanity but instead are taking the time to console those that are overseas and rightfully choose to pay no mind to those that are just exercising the Right to Free Speech that me and my Brothers and Sisters have given years of Service to protect. It takes Courage to support us Troops overseas even though at times the War on Terror is not the most popular of choices made byour Government. So once again, THANK YOU!