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Kathy, and the entire Canteen,

Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful support while I was deployed during OIF.

I want to make it very clear that I had a cushy job "in the rear with the gear". Other than a few convoys through Indian country, my stay in Kuwait/Iraq was all gravy. The men and women who really deserve the credit are all the incredibly young, and incredibly professional, grunts, MPs and support Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coastguardsmen who had it a lot rougher than me. I am an old man by military standards, and watching those young servicemen do the outstanding job they did, and continue to do, makes me confident in the future of our nation. If you could see these steely eyed killers with hearts of gold in action, you would be as choked up as I am right now just thinking about them.

It is very humbling to acknowledge the kindness and gratitude of you and the rest of the folks in this great county. I want you to know that your efforts and kindness have had a very real and lasting effect on myself, my family and my fellow Marines. Ronald Reagan said that some people wonder if they have made a difference in life, but Marines don't have that problem. Believe me when I say the same about the FR Canteen.

God bless you for what you do. My thoughts as I make my way back to my family are with my brothers still deployed, and the folks like you who give meaning to what we in the service do. I am thrilled to back in the USA, but without folks like you it would be just another chunk of real estate. Thank you so much.