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."

[summer]

Re your post #11 -- I'm glad you found this post! Where is home for you in the States?

[summer]

Hi David! I'm so glad you logged on today and read this! :)

[summer]

Thanks for the bump! :)

[summer]

Thanks so much for your post #19! :)

[bosniajmc]

Hernando, MS (about 15 miles south of Memphis, TN)

[Incorrigible]

HA! It wasn't long ago a boy got suspended from school for drawing a picture of his uncle. His uncle was in the army and was depicted carrying a rifle.

[bluetoad]

Brought Tears to my Eyes.

[CheneyChick]

[Jhensy]

Great post, reminds of when my brothers and I were kids; we worshipped and idolized our soldiers. Come to think of it, we still do.

[ez2muz]

"Thanks for the bump! :) "

You bet. Good for another one too. It's good to hear stories where it's obvious the parents are doing something positive; keeping their children's mind and heart pointed in a good direction.

I thank you as well. ~:)

[summer]

THANK YOU, CHENEY CHICK! And, check out David's great photos of his own kids on his web site link up on this thread!!!!! :)

[summer]

Thanks so much for YOUR uplifting post #25! :)

[summer]

I'm so glad you liked this post.

And, God bless you for posting the flag. I may have to do a photo thread in the future of all the flags all over my neighborhood. I must see 1,000 American flags -- on houses, cars, trucks, street corner entrances to communities, building entrances, etc. -- when I make the shortest trip, just 2 or 3 miles to the mall.

I'll keep you posted! :)

[summer]

Thanks for your post #30. Our soldiers and other military personnel have the toughest job in the world -- and, the most important. :)

[GuillermoX]

Just wait til they get to the Government Schools!! That'll teach 'em.

[summer]

My pleasure, and BTTT for your comments about parents, as I couldn't agree with you more! :)

[summer]

Hey you MI Freeper types -- see post #26 on this thread, and say something uplifting to FR poster "bosniajmc" as he calls MI home, and he all the way over there in Bosnia!

Thanks, love, summer :)

[N. Theknow]

According to Fox News not here in NY...not at the airports or the train stations.

Au contraire...

Dropped off a passenger yesterday at LaGuardia and spoke with a guardsman with a slung AR15 and "they ain't rubber ones" response to my ammo query.

[NeoCaveman]

Love the screen name.