Note from two boys make the day for Tampa airport Guardsmen [AP]

AP, via The Naples Daily News ^ | AP

[summer]

Florida front | Florida archive | help Note from two boys make the day for Tampa airport Guardsmen

Wednesday, October 10, 2001

Associated Press

LAKELAND — Two National Guardsmen on patrol at Tampa International Airport were approached by boys, about 4 and 6 years old, who handed them a piece of paper.

It was a note that said: thank you.

Lakeland-based Florida National Guard Spc. Billy Halterman and Pfc. Steve Meredith were in a terminal corridor when the boys came up to them.

"They both walked up and the little one stopped and gave me a salute," said Halterman, 20, of Haines City. "We saluted back. The older boy then said, 'We have something for you,' and handed me the note."

The boys saluted, walked back to their parents and left to board a plane Sunday.

When the guardsmen unfolded the notebook paper they found the boys had drawn an American flag and a smiling solder. The message read:

"Dear armymen and policemen. Thank you for keeping our country safe. Your freinds (sic), Murphy and Hayden."

"It made everybody smile," Halterman said. "We pull long shifts and are on our feet for hours and then when something like this happens, it makes you feel like you've done it all for something important."

[All-American Medic]

A big hooooooooooooooooooaahhhhhhhh, and stay safe from NYC!!

[summer]

Hey -- bonesmccoy's post #97 was for you guys! :)

[summer]

If you got a "mess of kids" also see post #26, as we have another serviceman here on FR, poster "bosniajmc" from Mississippi.

[esther2]

Awesome!! very, very cool

And that's a great story about the two little boys. Thank you very much for sharing that.

[summer]

Always great to hear from you, esther2. Thanks for taking the time to post. :)

[Lucky]

Salute and God Bless!

[Aerial]

Thanks for the flag.

Bump

[bosniajmc]

Actually it is pretty close. About 15 miles. I've only been a couple times, though. Just not my thing.

[bosniajmc]

Thanks for all the kind posts. Y'all have really lifted my spirits (and they weren't low to start with). I really feel blessed to have the opportunity to serve. Big thanks to all the FReepers! I'll try to print this whole thread and post it in our office, this needs to be shared with everyone here.

[Chapita]

Ain't my kinda thing either, but my son-in-law was a construction supervisor on the Tunica job. Can't remember which casino. Homeplace is in Tallahatchie County!

[summer]

You're welcome; thanks for the bump! :)

[summer]

Re your post #109

I'm so glad you enjoyed the thread and will print it out for others. I'm sure your fellow service men and women will get a kick out of it! :)

[homeschool mama]

I 'met' David on FReeper during the time when some of the Guild Gals were planning on mailing items to our military. He has a big heart for the Lord and welcomed any mail, especially from the kidos..said he'd pass it out when it arrives.

Thanks for the tip on the other serviceman, summer. I'll FReepmail him. Anyone else?

A friend's daughter is on the Carl Vinson. Ordinance loader. She's included on the list as well.

[dixiechick2000]

Bump for troops everywhere!

[summer]

Hi HM, Thanks so much for your post above, and for freepmailing the other service person here on FR, "bosniajmc." If any other service people freepmail me, I'll certainly introduce you to them as well! Thanks again. :)

[summer]

Thanks for your good wishes for our troops! :)

[summer]

Hi future gov, re my post #41 -- I realize I made a typo, and the correct abbreviation for your state, Mississippi, is not "MI" as I mistyped in my post, but: "MS."

Since you're a future gov, I hope you will forgive me and post something uplifting to one of your citizens over there in Bosnia, "bosniajmc"! :)

[Triple]

I second that. (or is that 54th that)

[JudyB1938]

YOU GUYS ARE THE VERY BEST!

The President salutes you and FReeRepublic salutes you!

And all the little children feel safer because of men like you.

I know that for a fact, because I remember how I felt as a little girl during WW II. I was so scared, but I knew "our boys" were keeping the enemy away from America. And now "our boys and girls" are doing the same. Thanks!

[dixiechick2000]

I wish you guys and could see the outpouring of patriotism here! I don't believe it has been like this since Pearl Harbor! Flags are flying everywhere...it's really hard to find one. And, as the icing on the cake, the people that always want to cut the military budget are hiding under rocks!!! You (the military) are popular...'bout time and thank God!

bosniajmc, I'm in Oregon now, but I was born and raised (my folks are still there) down the road a piece from you in Meridian. Nice to know Mississippi is being proudly represented over there.

Thank you both, and the rest of our guys over there, for your service to our country. God bless you! ;o)