Take a peak at Roy Emerson's post today. If you've ever wondered it your one little package makes a difference, you'll have no doubt! What a moving tribute he wrote.

Shelly

Yes, I read his post and was just blown away. Very touching!

And yes, you will need a tissue to read it...

 

Wow is right.

For those who don't read the whole thing, how's this graph grab ya? We could memorize it and reply to all who ask why we are supporters with the following:

4th Platoon has been through a lot these last almost 7-months. When we had losses you shared in our pain, and when we laughed you helped us laugh harder. You see THAT is the most amazing thing about the letters and packages from home-for that brief moment you can forget. Forget that you are sleeping in a shipping container, forget that there are those who want nothing more than to end your life-forget the daily horrors that in your universe seem so “normal,” and most importantly, perhaps, put out of your mind for a brief moment how those around you died. The morale boost that your letters and packages bring can not be over-emphasized.

 

Yep.  Tissues required for reading.   

Mnemonic processes now engaged for total memorization.....

 

I wish we could print some of these updates!  They would be great recruiting tools for AS,  and some of these guys are so eloquent I'd love to keep their posts.  They can really inspire me when I'm overtired to keep on going just like they have to.

Anita

In the early days, you could.  You could even save individual soldier's threads to your favorites files (oh, how I miss that...).  I was probably one of the rare ones who asked permission to download a few pictures to make a pitch to a local group.  Marty gratiously gave that permission at the time, which is how the Anysoldier.com video got created (but the pitch never came about).  Unfortunately, protections had to be put in place for the soldiers (and I'm sure for copyright reasons, too).  As much as I don't like it, I would not change it back.

WOW is right! That is touching! And I do wish we could copy info to use. That would be awesome, although we can still point people to AS and have them read for themselves! The more I read, the more touched I am. Wish I as a zillionare [read that in a post somewhere!] so we could support them all!

If you haven't seen it, check it out. I'm not going to comment on it, as I think he says all that needs to be said...

 

Jenifer I just read that one too.  I also noticed he had been requested 299 times and that should be 300 now since I just requested his address to send a letter of support.  Don't they have enough to worry about/focus on without having to defend themselves against stuff like this?  If it irritates me, I can just imagine how it makes them feel.

Anna 

Make that 301, gang!

Exactly what you said, Anna!

Jenifer -- sent you a PM

--Marilyn

This young man is phenomenally articulate. I'd LOVE to see everything he's written somewhere in print.

I am stunned by the reading of his words.

Reta

The article 1LT Emerson is referring to is in the Feb 08 issue of Men's Journal, titled "A.W.O.L.: A Decorated Hero's Tale of Honor, Patriotism and Betrayal".

I haven't read the article yet, but I fully intend to...

  What an outstanding soldier. 

I completely agree!!  I'm just wondering -- does anyone have Lt. Emerson's e-mail address?  I know several of us (including myself) plan to write letters of support in response to his post, but I'm thinking in the meantime, if someone has him as a contact, maybe you could let him know we're all behind him 2,000%!!!

--Marilyn

I was going to bring this one to the forum's attention, but I see you beat me to it Jenifer.  This post needs to be sent to the editor of the magazine where the offending article is being published.  I'm left speechless....