You have always heard about the organizations that sponsor different units during deployment. You always hear all the good things that they do to support us, the many gifts that are made by the young, the old and the Veterans. During this deployment, my company had the pleasure of being sponsored by the Coquina Crossing Any Soldier Program, and as the time passed and sponsors became friends we, the Soldiers, realized that most of the members of this organization were Veterans. It is amazing how much those that came before us gave to us during this deployment. 

As I sat one afternoon in front of my computer, I saw the announcement for the Soldier Show that will be going to Ft Campbell, KY and with it was the announcement that Freedom Team Salute was a proud sponsor. I immediately went to your site, because I have been looking for a way to let those Veterans know that all they had done for us was appreciated, welcomed and always treasured.

As I planned the ceremony with the program director, I learned that their little slice of the program is currently sponsoring three other Army units, two here in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. The Freedom Team Salute afforded me a way to thank them for all the Soldiers in all the units that had ever received a care package from them. For all the wounded Soldiers that received hand knitted blankets, sweaters and socks. For all the emotionally wounded Soldiers that came back with a smile because they were able to share their gifts. For all those Soldiers that received letters, candy and chips during the holidays. For all of us, I thanked over 41 Veterans and 10 civilian Supporters in Coquina Crossing.

I received pictures back from their ceremony, and there was not a single dry eye in the crowd. For that great gift I would like to thank Freedom Team Salute. I know I will never forget the faces of those Veterans captured by the photograph, and I know, deep in my heart, that they will never forget that we have not forgotten them.

Sincerely thankful,

— SSG Ardys J. Favaro
Deployed

I found the site by chance on the internet and had a commendation sent to my mother for all the support she has given my fellow Soldiers and me throughout my career in the Army. She was so moved by the [Commendation], she broke down and cried, she has been a single mother since my father passed away in 1988 and never before realized what an amazing part she played in my becoming the Soldier I am today. I thank you so much for your site and what a great gift you have helped me give to my mom to show her in a way I never could how much she has meant to me and how much I really value all she has done for my career.

— Teryn Zech
Fort Hood, Texas

It is amazing how much you receive from your loved ones when you deploy, but what is even more amazing are the Veterans and volunteers that send out packages, books, cards and letters. One chapter of the Any Soldier Program is located in Elkton, Florida. This chapter has sent over 60 boxes to our company, and has taken the time to send us pictures, messages and more importantly their love. I am honoring every single one of those Veterans that has given up their time and money in order to make us feel loved. They are the heroes, they are the ones that bring smiles to the faces of the young Soldiers. They make defending our great nation worthwhile.

— Ardys Favaro
Fort Campbell, Kentucky

My husband and I received our Freedom Team Salute when our oldest son was at Fort Benning going through Basic Training. I have placed the letter in a scrapbook I started for him and wear the Army Parent pin every day. My husband has the bumper sticker on his vehicle… We are so proud of our son and this recognition meant so much to us.

Thank you,

— Vicky Evans
Richland, Mississippi

Thank you for the certificate, letter, and lapel pin to salute and honor my years of service to the Army and this great nation. I was honored to serve in 1984-1992 on Active Duty and IRR. I fondly recall my Army days working on the radar equipment of HAWK ADA in the snow of Germany during those Cold War years protecting the skies of Germany and our freedoms. Thank you for the token and acknowledgement of my time of service. I am proud to be an American and U.S. Army Soldier. I will forever be Army strong.

— Andrew Crow
Hartselle, Alabama

I wanted to say a very special and heartfelt “Thank You” for being honored as a Veteran by your organization, and of course the Army… Hope we can all do more to support our troops who are still in harm’s way.

— PFC Michael Anthony Stahl USA (Veteran)
Huntsville, Alabama

Thank you very much for this honor. It means a lot to me that my modest service is remembered. I plan to frame the certificate and will wear the pin with pride.

— Joseph Vaughn
Clarksville, Arkansas

I was surprised to receive a Freedom Team Salute certificate in the mail a few days ago. I was on active duty from July ’61 to May ’64, in the Reserve until June ’67, and in the Army National Guard from 1974-1976. I feel honored to have received the certificate, lapel pin, decals, and letter. I’ve already placed the pin on an Army ball cap, and I’ll frame and display the certificate soon. This is a very nice gesture on the part of the Army, and I thank those responsible.

— Michael Norman
Lake Havasu City, Arizona

I received a Freedom Team Salute and feel very honored and thrilled. Although my time in service was over 40 years ago, I still feel the honor and pride of being a part of the Army family. My son is now serving in the New Jersey Army National Guard in Iraq and his father served in the Army in Vietnam.

Hooah!

— Joan Butler
Albany, New York

It blew my mind. I loved it and felt honored for the first time after getting out of Army. I didn’t think anyone cared, thank you very much, God bless, take care.

— Leroy Marrale
Doddridge, Arkansas

When I received the Freedom Team Salute, I felt that Cold War Vets were not forgotten. 20 years have gone by and nobody talks about the efforts that were made to hold the line.

— Chris Barzyz
Dallas ⁄ Fort Worth, Texas

I am deeply moved, and proud to have received my Freedom Team Salute. I am proud to be an Army Veteran.

— Steven Ptomey
Porterville, California

My family was amazed that the Army would do such a thing to support Veterans and Army supporters. All of their certificates are framed and proudly displayed.

— Cory Geisler
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

I am responsible for planning our Veterans Day program at our Middle School. I was searching the web when I found this site and felt that I had to submit my father, Charles E. Hickenbottom, who served in Korea. My father has taught me to respect our military personnel since I was a little girl. I want to impress this on my students to help them understand how important it is to thank them for their dedication and sacrifices. …I want them to realize that they would not have their freedom if it had not been for the sacrifices of their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and neighbors. I have a passion when it comes to showing our American Pride.

— Vicky Keever
Media, Illinois

While I was waiting for my bi-weekly IV Chemo treatment, I read [Freedom Team Salute’s] brochure at the VA Hospital. It truly touched my heart and made me wonder how I could help. In March ’08 I was given 6 months to live. It is now 7 months after that Oncologist prognosis. I am proud that I had the opportunity to serve my county. Whenever I meet a Vietnam Vet I ‘always’ shake their hand and say, “Welcome Back.” Whenever I meet a service man or women I ‘always’ shake their hand and say, “Thanks for your service to our country.” I will be looking into the possibility of becoming a Freedom Team Salute Ambassador. If I can help [Freedom Team Salute] by reaching out and honoring other Veterans and service personnel, I would [consider] it an honor to serve. God bless America, and God bless her troops and their families.

— Daniel Kawakami
Wrightwood, California

I was one of the first interns working on FTS back at the Pentagon and had worked on the program since it was launched. Then I joined the Army and hadn’t heard about it for a while. Walking through my barracks yesterday I found an FTS brochure, and I automatically started giving everyone the lowdown on FTS. This program has seriously made a huge impact on the people that have worked on it and the people receiving the thank you package. Keep up the great work!!!

— PFC Leah Kuehl
Monterey, California

I just found this website looking for my sequence promotion number status for SFC [Sergeant First Class]. I will be getting promoted to SFC in October of 2008, but due to deployment my family (other than my husband) will not be able to join me for the ceremony. Although I am highly blessed by having been deployed with my now husband; my children, mother, brother and sister-in-law will not be there. They have not been able to attend any of my other promotions due to deployments and overseas assignments. With your website, I will now be able to show them, together with the Army, how thankful I am to have them in my life.  Due to their patriotism for our country and their support for the military I have never had to miss a training field exercise or deployment.  I thank you and God bless you for having such a great website for all of us people that love this great Country.

Very Respectfully,

— SSG(P) Sonia Anderson
Deployed

The Freedom Team Salute has truly been a blessing to my wife, boss and family by giving credit where it is due. Thank you and God bless you.

— Llewellyn Cooper
Birmingham, Alabama

I just submitted my friend Billy Templeton for recognition and I’m glad this program gave me the opportunity to do so. As a Veteran myself and an American Legion Rider President, I want to say how proud I am of those who choose to serve today and chose to serve in the past. Billy is a Veteran of WWII. As a B–17 radioman on Clark Field he was captured and endured the Bataan Death March, a Hellship to Mukden, Manchuria, and slave labor in a Japanese weapons manufacturing plant. I think this is a great way to honor Billy and Soldiers like him.

— Randy Kessler
Marshalltown, Iowa

When my Parents received the certificate it was a very emotional moment because they didn’t expect it. Now they are more proud of me serving my country.

— Siris Alma
Aiea, Hawaii

It has helped make the whole family appreciate what the people of WWII sacrificed and gave up.

— Wesley Atkins
Stoneville, North Carolina

I have made several presentations in the short time I have served as an ambassador. I have already learned that people simply like this program. The reaction of people is all out of proportion to its cost. It is so easy to forget that many Veterans left their homes, and loved ones and did their best. Many of these Americans have never received so much as a simple thank you for their service. By the same token, there are citizens out there who would like to express their gratitude, but simply do not have the words, or may be afraid of saying the wrong thing. This program gives them a vehicle to thank their Veteran which leaves no room for misunderstanding.

I recently presented a salute package to a WWII Vet in a church in Cleveland, Alabama. He played his last football game at Cleveland High on New Year’s Day of 1942. He left for the Army the following day. This old SSG served in both the ATLANTIC and the PACIFIC during his war. Upon his return he became an educator then entered the ministry, and retired as the Director of the Baptist Children’s Home of Alabama. What a life of service. It was obvious to both me and my wife that everybody in that church was delighted that his country finally said thank you for the example his life has been. His name was SSG Claude Earl Grigsby.

All the Best,

— Sam Nelson
Columbus, Georgia

It really does my heart good to know that we as Vets are thought about in a positive way.

Thank you,

— Wayne Cole
Albany, New York

The commendation was sent to my husband, Robert L. Ruppert. It made him feel proud that he had served and that someone remembered.

— Joanne R. Ruppert
Friendship, Wisconsin

When I got the Certificate of Appreciation in the mail, I first thought that this was some sort of money scam. It then started to look like something different and choked me into tears. It is not very often that this Veteran of Desert Storm hears thank you for serving. I have made it a point to thank Veterans that I meet to let them know that they are appreciated for what they have done for the Freedom of our country. I also keep in mind that Freedom Is Not Free!

— Daniel Quarberg
Amery, Wisconsin