Mr. Martindale,

I came across your website today and I loved it. It was so comforting to read the Patriotism and Thoughts page. I am a mother of a young Army soldier and I found the writings very touching. When my son entered the Army in January 2007, I actually wrote a song about the experience from a mother’s point of view. I am going to record it soon and send it to my son. It is called Always Forward.

I am telling my son about your website as well. I respect the courage and loyalty of our young American soldiers and I don’t mind admitting they are much braver than I.

I hope to see you on T.V. soon. You were always my favorite game show host and Tic Tac Dough was my all time favorite game show. Keep up the great work on your website.

My son has been home on leave for two weeks and departs tomorrow. Thanks for leaving me with so many positive thoughts before I say goodbye to him yet again. As they say in the Army – Always Forward!

All the Best!

Stacy Howard

Reply

Stacy:

Many thanks for your very kind words regarding the web site.

But more than that please rest assured that there will be two members of the Martindale family praying that your son returns home safe and sound. Please convey to him that, regardless of what he might read and/or hear in the media, MOST AMERICANS are proud of what we are accomplishing in Afghanistan and Iraq. Please tell him how much we appreciate his service to our country. Please give us his first name so we may remember him personally in our prayers.

Best blessings to you, your son, and loved ones,

Wink Martindale

Return Reply

Thank you so much for your kind words, Mr. Martindale.

My son’s name is Private First Class Thomas William Howard. He left this morning from the Charlotte, North Carolina airport enroute to Honolulu. From there he will eventually deploy to Iraq although his exact deployment date is not known at this time. He is 18 years old and a very bright and positive young man.

I wrote down your website address and tucked it into his duffle bag this morning. He is looking forward to visiting your website.

He is very proud to serve his country and his father and I are so very proud of the brave, accomplished young man he has grown up to be. He is very willing and ready to serve his country and he, too is disappointed that many people do not understand the importance of what is happening in the world. He has shared many stories of his friends who have served in Iraq. He speaks of their experience where the children of Iraq hug the soldiers and thank them for freeing their people from the horrible life Sadaam made them live through. Unfortunately, that footage never makes it to the national news coverage. My son is both a soldier of God and a soldier for the U.S. Army and your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for responding to my e-mail and I wish you and your family the very best. God Bless and have a great weekend.

Stacy Howard