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"Thank you so much"

Thank you so much for the opportunity to tell why I think entertainers can be so important and have such a positive impact for service personnel overseas.

Jude, Thank you so much for the opportunity to tell why I think entertainers can be so important and have such a positive impact for service personnel overseas. What a great idea you have! Please allow me to thank you on behalf of all the members of our Armed Forces. I am not sure I can do justice to just how important these visits are, but I'll try. Conveying the idea that most Americans appreciate the sacrifice servicemembers make is critical. Members of our Armed Forces willingly make many sacrifices almost daily. They travel on short-notice, to all manner of places; endure separations from loved ones, and risk personal safety and potentially their lives. To be willing make such sacrifice requires a special type of person. Like most people, the servicemember would like to know his or her sacrifice is not in vain. That's where you come in. When entertainers (any American for that matter) takes the time and effort that you do to show support for the troops, it validates that those sacrifices are not in vain and that someone appreciates them. In short, by showing you care enough to do a show, you prove to servicemembers they are appreciated and you validate their usefulness.The importantance of your support is highlighted lately because, normally, servicemembers don't often "see" support. When one watches TV news or reads newspapers these days, most pieces are more apt to be critical of the American government. Military personnel are particularly subjected to criticism during combat operations. Even though the majority of Americans feel diferently, what most of the military members "see" is the opposite of support; criticisim of what they have chosen to support. The majority of Americans support US servicemembers, however that support is not generally depicted in the major news media markets. Shows, such as yours, are even more special in light of the media's slanted presentations. All people enjoy knowing what they are doing is worthwhile and that they make a difference. Your shows prove to servicemembers that what they do is important and that Americans care.
Thank you for all you do.
Robert D. Harvey, Col, USAF Deputy Commander for Operations 56th OG Luke AFB, Az DSN 896-5950