LETTER: A letter from home

This letter was sent to Ryan Alves, a Healdsburg youth who is
stationed somewhere in the Middle East.
Dear Ryan:
I saw TJ the other day as he was bringing your most recent
letter to your Mom at her work. Believe me, she’s as happy to get
mail from you as you are from her.
On the eve of what will most likely be the beginning of this war
I wanted to write because I’ve been thinking about you, and, well,
every one of you deployed in Kuwait and the Middle East. I have to
remind myself about mail delivery times, because by the time this
gets to you, your Combat Support Battalion will most likely be in
Iraq. I hope this letter finds you well and with some time to
relax.
In these days of emails, cell phones and instant communications,
its odd to think this letter could take weeks to get to you, but I
know from my own experiences how much a letter in the mail can
mean. I remember when I was stationed overseas what a rush it was
to get letters from my buddies and girl friends. I’ll slap Colin,
Grant, Brett, and Jordan upside their collective heads to write
you. I know you want to hear from them.
Your mom told me how nervous you and some buddies felt about
coming home on leave just before your unit was deployed. She said
you weren’t sure how people would react to your serving in the
armed forces given the public debate over our country’s position
toward Iraq. Well, I want to tell you something, and feel free to
share this, there isn’t a person that I’ve talked to that doesn’t
hope for your combined safety, wish you all the best of luck, and
pray for your speedy returns when your mission is accomplished. We
think of you all with the highest regard and esteem. I can only say
that if America didn’t have heated debates about such issues (and
let’s not beat about the bush, this one’s a whopper), it wouldn’t
be America.
Please take heart, and, when needed, courage, from the thoughts
and support we here at home have for you all. Keep my dad’s
colonel’s wings and Colin’s great grandfather’s anchor and globe
insignia close because our family’s strength and best wishes go
with them.
Stay sharp, keep the faith, and, in all matters, put your best
foot forward — put our best foot forward.
George Erdman, Healdsburg