To the editor:

I am the wife of Spc. Dye who is returning home from Iraq/Kuwait in the 778th. The Lawrence Journal-World ran a Nov. 11 story “Fanfare to greet returning National Guard unit.”

First off, thank you Lawrence Journal-World and Mike Belt, for taking an interest in our story. As the story says, there isn’t a community to welcome these soldiers home. They come from all over the state, and as the story states, we have backups from Minnesota and Guam. If these soldiers don’t get greeted at Forbes Field, they will go home ignored and forgotten. We’re trying to avoid that and show these people that Kansans care.

If anyone would be willing to help this unit’s homecoming in any way: cash donations to assist with refreshments, making a banner (individual and businesses), offering services for the celebration or just standing in the crowd and giving these people a true “Soldier’s Welcome Home” please call or e-mail: Brandy Dye at (620) 922-3193, brandydmb@hotmail.com; Patty Newcome at (785) 271-1562, newcome@sbcglobal.net; or Stacy Wolf at (785) 672-3916, wolfsden@ruraltel.net.

I truly believe that Kansas does care and these soldiers will see that when they step off of that plane. Thank you so much.

Brandy Dye,

Edna