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Hi FRiend.

Art Commanded an Aviation Battalion for the Gaurd. He sent troops to Desert Storm where they performed brilliantly. I set up a great support system for the spouses, that thankfully, we never had to use much. We were prepared to take care of frozen pipes, cars that broke down, and a host of other every day problems, should they arise. We supported the spouses whose loved ones were deployed until they returned. It worked beautifully. We were ready for anything and I have no doubt we would have accompished our mission even if it was needed for a long time. That was the spirit of our "Gaurd Family".

The Gaurd has done an outstanding job in Iraq and Afghanistan. Art has a fellow pilot whose in the Gaurd who has already served there and come home. He flew daily in and out of the Baghdad Airport. One of his pilots from his Battalion has also flown into the same airport. In fact, they ran into each other! So Iraq became a "small world" as the saying goes. They shared the care package we sent them. And the magazines we sent them to pass the time.

We know active duty regular troops and Gaurd troops who are active too, and they are all serving us with honor and dignity. None of them would do what these people did. I'd stake my life on it.

It is always the "one or two" bad apple that give us all a bad eye.

It is our fervent hope that people will realize that these few, are not the majority. How we wish the media would show all the "good" that is being done on a daily basis in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world by our Gaurdsmen and women and our Active Duty around the world. Instead, this kind of stuff gets all the publicity. It's a shame and we mean that in every sense of the word!

You are so right in your sentiments. Some people are only conservative in words, certainly not in their actions or deeds.

Take care FRiend. Good to see you again. FRegards, VH&W