Dear Grandma Rae:

 

I am an ordinary Soldier from a big city who was given an opportunity to serve my country in a very unique way.

 

During my deployment I met a very diverse group of people from different countries who never ceased to amaze me with what they could do.  I also met two very unbelievable nice people from the United States who had the act of giving with very Big Hearts.  These people are the kind of people who make the world go round with their knack to give and share. They make you take a different look at what I call REALLY making an effort and taking the time to help others.  My soldiers and I became an object of their kindness when we were in Afghanistan in 2007 -2008, and I became forever changed just knowing there were people out there who thought the way I did.

 

I am a leader and a mentor of soldiers.  I listen, watch and give assistance to all around me.  I look for ways to make things better for the troops, give guidance when necessary and keep my eyes open for any new way of comfort on a daily basis. My eyes were open to a new way of comfort when I found some teddy bears in the back of my vehicle one day.  I let some Soldiers drive my pick-up truck to do a mail run, and when they returned my vehicle there were some teddy bears inside.  I could not get this out of my head.  Where did they actually come from, who sent them, who were they meant for etc....    Then I found a piece to the puzzle in a little sack with a tea bag in it that read GrandmaRae.com.  It was a chance to thank the person who had made so many so happy including myself, so I took a chance and wrote to Grandma Rae. In her reply she lead me to the most amazing young lady I have ever met, Faith Fassnacht,  who is the organizer of Bear Hugs for The Troops.

 

I then set out to Thank her for all the things she had done for my soldiers and to tell her how much she was appreciated.  With the help of her mom, Anna, she was doing more than I could have ever imagined at the age of eleven.  I vowed to return to the United States and met her some day and see what I could do to assist her in letting the soldiers know how much they are truly appreciated, and give them a little comfort while they were away from home.

 

The chance for me came sooner, rather than later when the Pistons, from Detroit played the Pacers in Indiana at Conseco Field.  Faith was being honored that evening, and it just happened that our team was playing her team that night.  So I called my Grandson, Jerome and we packed our bags and went to Indiana to meet  Faith and watch the organization present her with an honor award that night.

 

I brought with me 50 bags each filled with 3 mints and little cards that  I wanted Faith to attach to her bears to help with her effort to put a smile on the Soldiers faces she sent the bears to.  What could be more comforting than a bear hug, candy mints, and a bag of tea from Grandma Rae.  I feel so very special that she excepted my offering and I sent more upon my return home.

 

It is my plan to continue this effort, as the bears that I received some how became like a family, and companion while I was away from home.  I  want to send my thanks to all of those people who pray for and help the Troops overseas, but especially for Grandma Rae, Anna and Faith.  God Bless you for caring.

 

 

(Deedee)