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Hope all of you are doing well!!!!!!

I got my letter out today. Thought I’d post it. I know I haven’t been around much lately. Thanks for all you do.

The American fire service stands behind our troops and their mission.

To Col. Simcock and all our fighting men and women who might read this,

I write to you as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day.

I can not express the depth of my family’s gratitude and pride in our fine marines, soldiers, and sailors fighting this war. Your strength, professionalism, and courage are the finest this country has ever seen. You are constructed of the same fiber and substance as those who stepped up to secure our independence over 200 years ago.

I will remind you that only 38% of the public was on board with the revolution as our brave men fought and died for the vision of freedom. Where would our great nation be if the revolution’s leadership had rested its fate on the shoulders of a random poll or some weak kneed public opinion? The great leaders of our nation had a vision of freedom and the courage to organize the rebellion in the face of what were insurmountable odds. Our independence was won by those dog faced, tired, dirty, frozen, hungry, men who hadn’t seen their families in years. The American fighting spirit was born by those who understood that freedom, and the future of freedom, was worth fighting for.

I speak to you as a common man. I’m a firefighter of fifteen years and an Infantry vet from the cold war days. The loss of my brothers on 9-11 is still fresh in my heart. The loss of each of our soldiers and marines is honored, recognized, and grieved. Don’t mistake my words to diminish the deaths of the civilians and others we lost, but as you know all too well, loosing our brothers in arms holds a closer, more personal, and deeper wound. That may also be why I never left this little military town. We never loose our bond to our fellow soldiers, marines, and sailors.

Myself and most of those I know, understand the long trend of terrorist activity leading up to this war. We understand the warring nature of Islam dating back many centuries. Osama Bin Laden’s Fatwah issued in 1998 declaring war on the U.S. is posted in our truck bay. We understand that Iraq is a key element of a larger war on terrorism

It’s my firm belief that your mission is critical to our nation’s future. We made a commitment to the Iraqi people, and like good men, we honor our commitments. We don’t leave a job unfinished, and by God we honor our fallen by making sure the job we came to do is a success.

If you want to know how much we support you, talk to my four year old. He sees you in uniform and he will command his daddy to catch you so he can tell you Thank You!!!!!

If you want to know how much we support you, listen in on our prayer before each meal. You are honored every day in my home and in public. The sacrifices and hardships you and your families share are noticed, appreciated, and can never fully be compensated for.

You and people like you are the reason we have this great country. You and people like you won, secured, and defend this great capitalist, democratic, and free society. We are at the forefront of this war because our freedom stands in the way of those who would oppress individuals as well as nations. There is no greater way I know of to show our undying gratitude than to support you and to value, charish, and defend the freedom those like you have bestowed upon us.

God Bless You and Thank You,

The XXXXXXX family carries you in our hearts and prayers