Appreciation gives troops a sense of mission in Iraq

Editor's note: The following is a thank you letter from a serviceman currently in Iraq. The Goldthwait's wanted the letter printed so that everyone would understand the impact of gifts to our troops abroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Goldthwait;

Thanks so much for the card and gifts that you sent. We have just received them, and our spirits are lifted. I am writing on the behalf of all of us with Troop "E", and as a fellow Whitefish resident.

Things here are tense but fortunately we have accrued no casualties. As a combat medic, this makes me very happy.

No matter what any of our own personal viewpoints leads us to feel about this warm, in the end we are here for each other. Our goal is "Home alive in 2005." However, when the folks back home show appreciation, it emboldens us all with a sense of mission and resolve to bring this war to a successful conclusion. No soldier who has ever gone to war has ever wanted to be part of an unsuccessful campaign. But it would be far worse to win and to lose the trust and respect of our great Republic.

I thank you for shedding some confidence onto us during these very trying times. And on behalf of Troop "E", 163D CAV, Thank you.

With Respect;

Bret D. Rijke

Troop "E" medic