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]

Thanks so much for sharing that love story in your reply #50! :)

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I'm so glad you folks liked this post. Thanks for your bumps! :)

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Re your post #54 - UG, You're very welcome, and so nice to see you here! :)

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Hi wardaddy,

What a fantastic message you wrote to bosniajmc. Hopefully, you'll put a big smile on his face! Thanks so much for taking the time to post.

With love to you,
summer
PS So, bosniajmc -- big smile, or what? :)

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Hi Saundra,

Thanks for your enthusiastic bump on post #56! :)

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Lady J, Thank you for your wonderful post #58! :)

[Walkin Man]

That was a wonderful story, thanks for posting it. God bless the little guys.

[Fiddlstix]

C
(Click the Pics ) J

[summer]

Hello again David,

Check out these warm and wonderful new replies to our nation's service people in posts #55, #57, #58, and #60, from wardaddy, Exeter, Lady J, and SouthernBelle.

I wrote to some FR Mississippi folks, and told them bosniajmc is from their home state; and some of them already responded, above.

Since you are over there in Bosnia as well, I thought you'd like to read these great messages too, as you know the same wishes come to you from your friends back home here in Florida.

What a great bunch of people showed up on this thread, throughout this entire thread! If you have a printer, maybe you could print out this thread and tape it up on a refrigerator or something, and make someone else's day over there in your corner of the world in Bosnia.

With love to you and your family, and love to all our nation's service people, all around the world,

from your friends at FR, and your friend here in FL,

summer :)

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WOW! Thank you! That picture is truly divine!!!!!!!! :)

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WOW, AGAIN, Fiddlstix!!!!!!!!

I just clicked on the picture and heard: the song I actually needed to hear all day long today! THANK YOU! :)

David and bosniajmc, you gotta click on that great picture posted by Fiddlstix, and turn up the volume -- you'll love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Fiddlstix]

You're Welcome J
Your Post is very nice and Thank you for posting it J

[summer]

My pleasure. And, I LOVE seeing people smile. Thanks! :)

[summer]

See posts #68 and #71. And, be ready to sing along! :)

[summer]

See posts #68 and #71. And, be ready to sing along! :)

[summer]

See posts #68 and #71. And, be ready to sing along! :)

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Walking Man, Thank you so much for your kind words. :)

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Happy news,
summer. Hugs. (^:

[summer]

Great message! You're welcome! :)

[maranatha]

Thanks for the post. To read a story like this makes us feel the same as when we see a big flag on a car or house; each event builds layers of patriotism within us.

God bless our military and protect each one. I, as a mother of an Airman son, pray for all many times a day and feel so good knowing so many of you are praying for their safety too and that my son is included in those prayers.