Veteran salutes those now serving overseas / LJWorld.com

Archive for Sunday, November 23, 2008

Troop supporters tape holiday messages

Grover Sanders, Lawrence, records a message for troops overseas Saturday at Crown Automotive, 3400 Iowa. Sunflower Broadband’s Channel 6 camera crews were on hand to videotape messages to send to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. People were also invited to drop off items to be sent to troops.

By Christine Metz

November 23, 2008, 12:00 a.m. Updated November 24, 2008, 9:57 a.m.

Photo Gallery

Thumbnails · Gallery

Families videotape greetings to soldiers

As the holiday season approaches, this weekend families sent their messages overseas to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Enlarge video

When 88-year-old Grover Sanders heard that Sunflower Broadband’s Channel 6 was going to videotape holiday greetings for overseas troops, he wavered on whether he wanted to take part.

“First I was going to do nothing, then I was going to do something, then I was going to do nothing,” he said.

But Saturday morning, while reading the newspaper, he decided to take out a clipboard, start writing and a few minutes later have a message ready for the troops.

Wearing his ship cap from World War II, Sanders stood in front of a blue curtain inside the Crown Toyota Pavilion and delivered his remarks on camera.

He told the troops that he saluted them, prayed for them and thanked them. “It seems you have the misery of Valley Forge with IEDs thrown in,” he said. “When the news announces another service person has been killed, tears well up in my eyes.”

Sanders’ message was one of about 20 that were recorded Saturday morning for those at war. Former veterans, families of soldiers and even Santa gave verbal thanks and holiday greetings.

The messages will be put on a DVD and sent to troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also will be aired on Channel 6 and KTKA, Sunflower Broadband Channel 12. Sunflower Broadband and KTKA are owned by The World Company, which owns the Journal-World.

While Sanders’ generation might be dubbed as the greatest one for their role in World War II, he said today’s soldiers are just as brave and dedicated. “I want them to realize they have a lot tougher time than I did, than a lot of us had,” he said.

The messages are appreciated, said the National Guardsmen who stood outside the car dealership displaying their Bradley fighting vehicle. “It’s a huge morale booster to know the family is thinking of you,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Winter, who served in Iraq with the Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion of the 137th Infantry.

Miles Schnaer, owner of Crown Chevrolet, Toyota and Scion Inc., said hosting the event felt like the right thing to do.

“The kids are a long ways from home,” he said. “We care about them and want to keep them safe and want them to come home for the holidays. If they can’t, hopefully they can get a little piece of home.”

persevering_gal (anonymous) says…

Thank you, Grover and others who have served our country and left a message for our troops. Also, thank you to all who are serving today.

November 23, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AprilFool (anonymous) says…

Thanks for posting the info about the Xerox Let's Say Thanks program. I'd like to point out, though, that the postcards they send are NOT just to the soldiers in Iraq - but to all soldiers serving overseas. Please don't forget about all those serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Korea, Germany, Iraq, and many other places that we are all probably unaware of.

November 23, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tunahelper (anonymous) says…

Thank you Mr. Sanders for being part of the Greatest Generation and for your service to our great country. Most people do not know the price of Freedom. God bless you.p.s. If you can read this, thank a teacher.If you can read it in English, thank an American Soldier.

November 23, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lovelola (anonymous) says…

Does anyone know if it is still possible to record a message to our troops? I wasn't informed about this opportunity, and having a fiance currently serving overseas I would've loved to send our heros a message.

November 24, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )