Great to Hear From You!

As you might have noticed, blogging is a new experience for me. A week or more goes by and I suddenly realize it's been too long since my last posting. I owe a thank you to my co-workers Emily Cyr and Stephanie Wilson for being on the look out for stories related to our patriots and their loved ones. They keep the e-mails coming while I am out covering news reports on other subjects.

Of course, if the zero comments on most of the postings are any indication, I'm not sure many people know about Phyllis' Patriots. I hope more of you will let me know what you think or share information about deployed troops and their families.

Still, sacrafices are made every day by our military personnel and their families. We lost five more Americans soldiers from a roadside bomb attack in Mosul, Iraq. A CBS News report tonight had exclusive video of a fire fight in the Mosul area and what U.S. soldiers are doing to try to defeat the insurgents.

That is why getting an e-mail like the following one matters to me. It is an example that people are thinking about the men and women far from home. I received this from Carolyn Dillon earlier this month:

Hi Phyllis...

I was just reading your blog about the military troops. My name is Carolyn Dillon, and I live in Lusby, Md down in good 'ole Calvert County. My daughter Taylor is in seventh grade and back in the fall she was very pre-occupied with the wars going on and the safety of our soldiers. She came to me and asked if there was anything she could do to help the troops. I thought about it, and borrowing the idea from another organization, I talked to my local Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) chapter. I filled out the necessary paperwork from Adopt A Platoon, passed the screening process, and our H.O.G. chapter hooked up with the Adopt A Platoon organization. I was given the option of a small (20) or large (up to 50) platoon. Of course being that the H.O.G. chapter is large and has many military (Pax. River Naval Air Station) and patriotic members, I chose a large platoon! I gather goodies and donations at our monthly meetings. The outpouring has been tremendous. It has been a wonderful experience for everyone who has helped me out. Our platoon has 40 men and they are deployed in Iraq until May 2008. We have sent them numerous packages which have included chocolate (after November), Little Debbie snacks, candy, heat & eat meals, mac & cheese, socks, toiletries, t-shirts, Christmas decorations, signed cards, letters, pictures from elementary and middle school children, and also blank Christmas cards that the troops could fill out and send home. My platoon contact periodically emails to say hello or thanks for the goodies. I am so glad my daughter came to me, this has been the most rewarding thing I think I have ever done! She still thinks a lot about the soldiers and their safety, but sending packages on a regular basis has given her some piece in knowing that a gift from home is something that boosts morale and lets the troops know that there are people at home who think about them everyday!
Your efforts in keeping us informed through the news and your blog are a wonderful thing. I will be a loyal reader from now on!
Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Dillon



Did any of you check out the "Grace Is Gone" link from my posting about Nicholas Kirven? I received a beautiful note from his parents, Michael and Beth Belle. It really means a lot to know they appreciated the story we aired about Nicholas and the special screening of the movie.

It would be great to hear from someone who attended the event at the National Press Club on January 9th. I would like to know what you thought of the movie.