Do Sumptin For A Soldier - UPDATE

[Minnesota_boy]

When Mark moves that house back to Minnesota, he can probably leave the tree there.  ;D

[WoodChucker]

Mark, a letter is on it's way.

[pappy]

Mark,
A letter is on the way, I feel honored to send a B-day card to one of our brave soldiers!!! We also included a picture of my wife and me holding our first granddaughter. It's because of the past and present soldiers of our country that we are able to enjoy the freedoms of today.

On another note I've been surfin' the Forestry Forum the last couple of weeks and this is going to be a great place to hang out at, sounds like the folks at the local coffee shop.  


Gram, Pappy and Baby Kate.

P.S. Pics of the mini mill coming soon!!

[Jeff]

Welcome Termite. Jumped right in with a photo, how about that!

[Ed_K]

 Mark, we sent out a b-card this morning 8). I remember how nice it was to get something in the mail, when I spent time in Thailand, in 75. Trucked water to refuge's at the tent city at Utapao,AFB.
 Ed K

[Jeff]

2 more days. I wonder if he started getting any mail? Hope he gets some of it in time for his birthday.

[Bigdogpc]

I was a little slow gettin' a card in the mail but I would imagine the stragglers will be just as much fun.  I'd like to claim a "senior moment" for being slow 'cept I ain't quite old enough...just almost.

[Mark M]

Today I got a letter from Bob and thought I would share some of it with the group. This was written on Aug 19, the day before his birthday. Thanks again to everyone for writing.

Mark


...I received 52 letters today along with 4 packages. I will write back to all these people to thank them. I needed the support now more than ever. The combat has increased this past week, along with this comes combat stress. I was to the point of breaking. The support you have given me is almost unimaginable. I can' thank you enough...

...I even got a picture from one couple holding their grandchild. They said I was the reason they had a grand child - because we stopped the terrorists..

...Just last night we got hit real bad. I had a few bullets come within inches of hitting me. You may thing thats crazy, but this is what I live for... I told my mother on the phone that I was still trying to make to see my 23rd birthday. Even though my birthday is tomorrow [Aug 20th] I am still trying to make it. There is a very thin line between life and death in my world.

[shopteacher]

Wow Mark,
     There's some powerful sentiment there.  I really feel for those guys and don't believe we even belong there.  Every soldier lost in this war I feel is one that never should have happened.  I served 68-72 and never thought we belonged there either.  In the end I think my belief prevailed.  Wish Bob all the luck you can for me and a safe return.  Glad all of us could brighten his day just a little.

[Fla._Deadheader]

  For once I don't know what to say  *DanG memories :(
  Good going guys.

[Patty]

Mark,

The letter from Bob was really moving....brought tears to my eyes. Our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers...all of them serving us are so brave. They make me proud. 8)

Let him know we are thinking of him, and pray for his safety.

Our fight for freedom and liberty will never be over as long as there are evil men in this world. I think our cause is noble and worth fighting for, I just wish we didn't have to die. It is a terrible price to pay, and I wish they would let me (an old person) serve our country instead of our children.

I'd really rather be dead than not have my freedom. I guess that is what being an American is all about isn't it.

Tell Bob we are very proud and forever grateful to him.

Patty

[CHARLIE]

Mark, thanks for sharing a portion of Bob's letter. It really makes me stop and be very thankful for men like him. What those men are doing is taking the war to the terrorist and keeping them from bringing their war to us again as they did on Sept 11th a couple of years ago. I'm a believer that a problem must be solved at it's source and can't be solved by reacting to it's symptoms. That is what our men are doing. Solving the terrorist problem at it's sources. We owe them a lot for doing this for us.

[RavioliKid]

Mark,

What a moving letter! Thank you for sharing it.

I wrote down your future son-in-law's name and address, but then didn't get anything out to him. I wasn't home much this summer.

I'd like to send him a belated greeting. Is the address you gave in the first post in the thread still good?

[pappy]

shopteacher,Fla._Deadheader,Patty,CHARLIE,RavioliKid,

DITTO!!!

Mark, thanks for giving us a chance to thank one of our brave ones, I'm sure he shared his cards with his fellow troops and all were better for it!!

Gods speed Bob.


  

[Mark M]

About a year ago I mentioned that my future son-in-law was in Iraq fighting the war. A lot of you wrote to Bob and sent cards. I thought I would let you know that he got to come home a few weeks ago. He was supposed to return this week but he got an eye injury when a mortar exploded close to him. He was airlifted to Landsthul <sp?> in Germany where he spent about 2 weeks. It looks like his vision will be OK and he is now back on duty and doing well. He got to come home for about a week and had fun surprising everyone. Bob really appreciated all the support he got from everyone and said it was what helped him through the rough spots. I want to thank everyone again for writing to Bob.

Mark

PS - Bob reenlisted for another 4 years!

[Patty]

Glad to hear he is ok, Mark.
He sounds like a good man, one you'll be proud to claim as your new son-in-law.   ;)   and a man we all can be proud to claim as one of our heros.  8)

[Wes]

Mark,
 I just saw this thread for the first time, I'm sorry that I didnt get to send him a card. Please tell him thanks for me, and keep up the good work.

Wes

[Norwiscutter]

Believe it or not, I had eye surgery at Landsthuel about 6 years ago. It is the largest military hospital outside of the U.S. and has some of the best doctors in the world.  The primary doctors in the eye department when I was there were Lt. Colonels or better, so he can be confident that he got the best treatment available.  Hope that he enjoys the rest of his trip and the eye heals up good as new.