Hello Again From East Texas . . .

A soldier and his dog, a photo by bandstalker on Flickr.

For about four years now, we have been sending a letter each month to update our Troops who are serving our country. A letter goes into each box that is sent. The boxes contain various items that Troops can really use including toiletries, playing cards, cookies, canned goods and other requested items.

This week, we were told there are only 15 boxes going next month.

So, for four years, I have started each letter with,

"Hello Again From East Texas" and have signed it with "Blessings from The Suttons".

What did I write about? Well, I tried to look ahead because the letter would be received in about 3 to 4 weeks from when I took it to the Legion where they packed the boxes. I told them a little about what was happening back home and how everyone was missing them. Because I am keen on dogs, I envisioned that many of these people had left in addition to family, a dog behind.

So, I put comic strips across the top and bottom. Always, there was a Mutts strip and often Red and Rover. Sometimes there was a picture of our dog, Buddy.

So, even though there are just a few men and women still deployed from our area, I did that letter today and we took it to where they assemble the boxes.

Once, they were advised that some British soldiers were with our Troops and we were asked to find some English items. They told me because we Canadians should know approximately what an Englishman might like. I cannot remember exactly what we found - Peak Freen cookies, and Coleman dried mustard - I recall those.

At Christmas and New Years, we inserted the words to songs they would all remember . . . Blue Christmas (Elvis) and some others they would all know.

I am writing this blog today because even though I am glad our Troops are almost all home, I am a little sad.

I think we are generally sad when a routine comes to an end.

Many times, a note has been forwarded to us where a soldier has mentioned "The Suttons" letter. Sometimes, we have been invited to go over for a visit when a Soldier was on leave. Their families were with them and it was not unusual to see a father in the hall crying.

So, this is just about over, writing these Troop Letters each month. It is super everybody will be home, and we hope they adjust well to being back here. But it is a little sad to be finished that project.

God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America!