Family, friends, and sometimes even troops themselves send I-Report salutes nearly every day to U.S. military serving their country away from home. Take a look below as family and friends share stories of the troops they love.
Friday, June 22, 2007
'Our first real family picture'
 My husband (Nathaniel Pote) is serving in Iraq right now. He's been overseas for about a month now. This is our first deployment. It's tough being an army wife. My husband has been in the military for about 7 years. He's a wonderful husband and officer. We've been married a little over 2 years. We have no kid's yet, but we have a dog. He's a wonderful man and he's my officer and a gentleman. Here's a picture of our little family. This was taken just a few weeks before my husband deployed. It's our first real family picture. -- Pualani Pote of Ozark, Missouri 'I am so proud of my brother'
 I am so proud of my brother Brandon Shelton. He not only is the wonderful father 3 beautiful children but he is protecting our country and others in Afghanistan. I love you so much Brandon! Brandon had a baby boy named Alexander James (A.J.) Shelton born on March 2, 2007, and his wife Jenny and children are so proud of him and cannot wait to see him again. This is Brandon in front of the helicopters he flies for the Army as a Black Hawk Pilot. -- Kelley Steen of Raleigh, North Carolina 'He is my hero'
 Hi Robin, I saw your "salute" this morning and had to send my son's photo - he is my hero! Cpl. JZ Senbertrand of Villas, NJ is 21 and currently serving his second tour of combat in Iraq with USMC 3/6 KILO. He joined so "others would not have to." He felt he could help protect us from the insanity in that region. We expect his return in August and we will travel to Camp Lejeune, NC to celebrate the battalion! Our brave military deserve the very best salute for volunteering to protect our freedom! God Bless the USA. -- Dianne Scarlett of Villas, New Jersey 'Nathan misses his dad'
 This photo is of Cpl. Daniel Stroud of the United States Marine Corps and his son Nathan who is now 16 months old. Cpl. Stroud deployed on April 10th on board the USS Bonhomme Richard and is currently serving in Iraq. He is due home sometime in November. Nathan misses his dad very much and every day he kisses this exact photo and talks to him. My husband is an avid CNN viewer and especially loves to watch Robin. This would make his day if he was viewed on her segment. -- Lana Stroud of Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday, June 19, 2007
One last hug
 My brother, Brandon Corbett, was just deployed to Iraq. This picture is of Brandon and his mom at the send-off ceremony on June 6th, 2007. -- Crystal Vogel from Des Moines, Iowa 'I miss my son, dearly'
 This is my son, Specialist Nathaniel Magallanez. He has been serving in Iraq since August 2006. He is part of thee 82nd Airborne Infantry Division out of Ft. Bragg, NC. I miss my son dearly. I pray for his safety daily. Please keep supporting our troops. -- Delores Magallanez from Tyler, Texas Best friends
 This is a picture of our son, Spc Robert Huffman Jr, on the left, my daughter Tabi in the middle and Lance Corp. Adam McCullough on the right. This picture was taken just minutes after my son got off the plane from Afghanistan. Adam shipped out for Iraq two weeks later. He is in Fallujah and is expected to come home in October of this year. The boys have been best friends since grade school. -- Jeannie Huffman from Lisbon, Ohio Father of seven
 This is my brother Sergeant 1st Class, Ronnie P. Quetel, Sr. of Squad 651, Maintenance Company. He has dedicated twenty years of his life honorably serving the Virgin Islands National Guard, presently in Fort Bragg and soon to be deployed to Iraq. -- Linda Quetel from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 'My daughter the fighter'
 My daughter Joyell Riley is a translator with the Marine corp. She is embedded with an infantry unit in central Baghdad. We worry everyday about her. She is in one of the most dangerous regions of Iraq. Her unit was recently pinned down by gunfire. There are only a few women translators and only three that we know of are embedded with fighting units. Please pray for her safety. -- Brenda Porter from Bellevue, Ohio 'Happy Birthday Mike!'
 It's my brother’s birthday on June 24th and I wanted to give him a salute for all he does! His name is Captain Mike Erickson. (He's on the left) He is a helicopter pilot with the United States Marine Corps. He's currently serving his 4th tour of duty in Iraq with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. We are all so proud of him and hope he returns safely to us once again! Happy Birthday Mike!! -- Marie Erickson in Richmond, Virginia Can't wait to get back to Oregon
 Our son's name is Casey Kunders. He's serving in Afghanistan. He is 24 and a 2001 graduate of Coquille High School in Oregon. He is a Specialist with the 91rst M.P. Bn. 272cd Co. He has been deployed for the last year. Casey misses the outdoor activities and can't wait to get back to the Pacific Northwest. -- Larry and Londa Kunders from Coos Bay, Oregon Guarding Baghdad zoo
 My husband is in his third tour in Iraq. This is a photo of him at "his" zoo. SFC Herb Mowery with 15th BSB, 1st Cav. Div is assigned as the representative to the Baghdad zoo. He primary focus is to rebuild the infrastructure of the zoo and preserve a good quality of life for the animals. Mowery is pictured with a female cheetah, who belonged to Uday Huessin. SFC Mowery visits the zoo weekly, he also escorts dignitaries and news crews to see the improvements made. -- Angela, Morgan and Chloe Mowery from Harker Heights, Texas |
On CNN TV
Every weekday morning on Headline News' Morning Express, anchor Robin Meade and her team do a shout-out to U.S. troops by showing off photos and videos sent in by their loved ones. Tune in every hour between 6 and 10 a.m. to see the salutes on air, or click through the archives on this page.
Send your own salute
Do you have a friend or family member serving abroad in the U.S. military? Please share your story on iReport.com!
Related
• Audio slide show: 'If not my son, whose son?' • Watch: Marine's Memorial Day tribute  • Gallery: The troops you love • Send your own salute on iReport.com • Morning Express • Special Report: Coming Home • All CNN.com blogs Archive
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