Greetings from IRAQ,

    Wow, what can we say- We received all your personally made cards and it truly reached the core of our hearts.  As we endure the normal aspects that come with war, it is such a blessing to know we have young people that are truly working on becoming great citizens of the best country in the world – the United States of America.  As we sat and read each of your cards, I could actually see the emotions of sadness as well as honor coming from so many of the soldiers.

    I know you might not understand at such a young age, but to know we have Americans supporting us back home, means the world to us.  The days are very long here, and at times they become very nerve racking due to the bad guys trying to bring harm our way.  We truly thank each and every day we awake and are able to enjoy the world, even though it may be IRAQ.  We travel a lot throughout the country here, and it is amazing how poorly the people of IRAQ have lived.  The kids here, for the most part, are without shoes, clean clothes, and just the basic needs of life to include school.

    As you awake each day and truly can enjoy freedom, we ask that you stay in touch with us, how can you do that you ask?  Well, each night we will go out and look above and admire the stars, the same stars you will see, and as you look at them possibly as the everyday way of life, we will look at them as the stars each and every one of you are!!  Take the extra moment each day to stop and smell the roses, ocean, and really try to be nice to your fellow Americans, for we are truly blessed to be able to call ourselves Americans!

God bless each and everyone of you, may you enjoy each and everyday, and know while we may have to work hard here, and enter many dangerous situations, we are proud to be friends of the true elite group, that group is you – the future leaders and heroes of our great nation!

PS – As you lay your head down to sleep, never worry of the freedom you enjoy, for we as American soldiers are honored to stand guard from afar, to ensure you have the right to grow and prosper as true Americans.  If we may fall, we will fall in body only, for we will always live in the mind, soul, and heart of every American, for we are the silent warriors, warriors for peace, warriors for you , our heroes.

God Bless

First Sergeant Carl G. Downey