الأحد، 22 مايو 2011

Gratitude and appreciation

I am going to break from November 10 to throw in an inject from May 11. I was interviewed by Kevin Miller from KIDO 580 AM a local radio station in the treasure valley, Boise Idaho area. He was over here in Iraq for a couple weeks visiting the Brigade. The link below is to the Kevin Miller trip to Iraq part of the radio station's website.


This next link is the link specifically to my interview with him.   


The interview was for the most part "off the cuff", I was informed the day before
that I would be interviewed, but was not told what I would be asked. I prepared for
questions like, "What is it like over here?" or "What is different between Idaho and 
Iraq." Well he didn't ask those questions. Luckily though I had written the below 
thank you note about a week or two prior, so I had already developed some thoughts 
for that letter that I was able to draw from for the interview. Hopefully between 
listening to the interview and reading the letter below, you can make sense of what 
I am trying to express.
 
Treasure valley blue star mothers,
 
My office received two of your care packages and I would like to thank you on behalf 
of the 17 individuals that work with me here. We have greatly enjoyed the many 
goodies inside your packages and are very appreciative of your efforts in supporting
the troops. Times are much different being a service member now than it was in the 
70's. My father began his service then and continued to serve for 33 years. He 
witnessed, as a service member, the changes in attitude and support from the 
general citizens of the US over that period of time. Soldiers back then rarely 
received thanks for their sacrifices. In fact wearing the uniform in public would 
generally get one heckled from fellow Americans. On the contrary, today I am 
thanked regularly when in uniform in the US. At times I have felt slightly 
embarrassed to receive the level of gratitude we service members do now receive, 
because those who served before were not treated as well. I also feel that my 
sacrifice may not measure up or be as great as those who served before. Many of 
the modern comforts service members readily enjoy now were unfathomable to our 
predecessors of just a few decades. Regardless of the time period, I maintain that 
service in the armed forces of our great nation is honorable and it is therefore 
up to me to be honorable. Your packages and appreciation remind me to be honorable 
for the people we are over here serving. Due to the gratitude of great citizens 
such as yourselves the honor is ours to serve you. We think you are worth the 
effort and sacrifice.
 
Thanks again,
Captain Barrett Bishop

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