A dear friend of mine from Wyoming has a son-in-law in Iraq - a Black Hawk pilot. She and her daughter set up a special "program" enlisting friends to devote 2 weeks to sending something to him in Iraq. The idea was anything goes - it could be letters or postcards or a little gift.
Not knowing anyone personally who is serving in Iraq - and seeing as how this was a favor for a faraway friend who I love - I took this mission seriously. I went out and bought lots of little Alaska souvenirs such as a bear bottle opener, two metal coffee mugs - one with a carabiner handle, a metal bookmark, some tins of mints with names like "Bear Breath" and "Fish Breath," and a t-shirt with bears on it that reads "Homeland Security." I also purchased a dozen postcards with Alaska animals and scenes.
Trying to send something out daily while running a business from home and juggling baby was a feat. I ended up missing some days but managed to get out over half a dozen postcards and the gifts (sent the last batch yesterday, a week late but better than never).
I wasn't sure if he received anything or what he thought of the things I sent. Since I didn't know him, I was uncertain what to write about so just told him about our life here in Alaska, my husband's recent hunting accident and surgery to repair his arm and the story of how my husband and I met.
Then I received this email yesterday from my friend. These are quotes from her son-in-law about what "Operation Hero" has meant to him - the letter was addressed to my friend.
When I read this to my husband, I started to cry. This is what it is all about.
"I have recently been inundated with packages from all over the United States. I have just got to tell you that I am completely blown away with how many people have sent me things and written me things. I just want to thank you for setting all of that up and having such great friends that love you so much that they would love me so much just because I am associated with you. You know some pretty amazing people."
"Let me just report to you all the other people that have been giving me support. You have amazing friends and that speaks well for you. I have never known so many incredible people since I have been lucky enough to become your son....
The Risdahls from Alaska have been so completely generous. They have sent me probably ten postcards, four packages full of Alaska memorabilia, photo CDs, really nice coffee mugs. What really touches me is that they just report their family news to me as if I was their family. I don't even know them and it took me quite a while to even figure out how they knew me. I just think it is so incredible that they are treating me like family, talk about a way to support one of the troops. I am just so touched by all of the attention I don't even know how to thank them.
....
I guess that I didn't really know how the effects of your efforts in "Operation Hero" would hit me. I wasn't sure that I needed that kind of attention in order to complete my mission here. My mission was to get here, be safe, get through this and return home to my girls the same person as I left. The problem is that it can't happen like that now. I will continue to be safe and return home in one piece, but I have a much larger agenda and I can't be exactly the same as I left. The way that everyone has included me and supported me makes me widen my motivation towards my mission. These great folks have helped me put a face to the citizens of the US that deserve to be protected by someone like me. I can't stand being away from my girls and that will never change, but since I have no choice, I am happy to serve in this war and expand the list of people in which motivate me to serve.
I am working slowly on properly thanking everyone that has been so incredibly generous to me, of course I am extremely behind on that endeavor. I just thought that I should begin with you and Whitney for putting this together. I want you both to know that I am blown away and it is hard to feel worthy enough to be so loved by such incredible people. For all of that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know if I will ever get out to all of these folks the kind of thank you note or letter that would ever represent exactly how touched I really feel, but I know you will be able to help me advertise my true emotion."
(Excerpted with permission from his wife.)
Wow...what efforts! This is amazing. My friend died in Afghanistan...loving what he did, serving his country, and defending this nation against great threats. I'm proud of what these people do, and it's people like yourself that make big differences in these soldier's lives, and the greater impact it has on those supporting them. I only wish that my friend Jamie was still alive to know that people still do care about the our soldiers who are serving, even if they don't approve of this war. God bless you.
Posted by: Russ | October 17, 2007 at 08:54 AM