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, July 13, 2007
Sealed with a kiss
 This is a photo of my husband, CPT James Mitchell, our 2-year-old daughter Sarah, and myself when he returned home from Iraq after a 16 month deployment with 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery of the 172d Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Alaska. The brigade was extended at the last minute for four months and moved from the Mosul area to Baghdad to help stop the sectarian violence. -- Kellie Mitchell of Fork Polk, Louisiana 'Serving as a single mom'
 SSgt Candice Pepitone has been serving in the USAF for the past five years as an Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman (or woman) otherwise known as a jet engine mechanic. She joined the Air Force as soon as she could after high school. The past year she has been serving as a single Mom due the fact that I was involuntarily stationed in California 4 months before her birth. Candice has not missed a beat since our daughters birth. She has deployed twice and has continued to progress in her career. I just wanted her to be recognized for all her hard work, dedication, and sacrifice to our country. I love her very much and want to thank her for everything she does to ensure our daughter is well taken care of and hope that someday we can be a family together. -- Cy Eckhardt of California City, California Happy birthday Roberto
 I'm hoping that I am not too late to have a salute done to my brother Chief Petty Officer Robert L. Clark. July 13th is his 35th birthday. I have attached a picture of him. If you are able to put it on CNN please tell him that his family loves and misses him, especially his son Damarea L. Clark, who is 6 years old and living in Kings Bay, GA and we pray that he and every other Person of Honor is safe and protected. -- Tia Hinton of Conyers, Georgia 'Can't wait to celebrate their wedding'
 The attached picture is of my daughter Lindsay Duquette, and future son-in-law, Cameron Maples; they are serving together in northern Iraq. Both are 1st Lt's in the Army and due to come home this October. They plan to marry next May. Our families would like to tell them how proud we are of them, pray for their safe return and can't wait to celebrate their wedding day with them. -- Cathie Duquette of Lutz, Florida 'Good on ya bloke'
 This picture is of Sgt. Ted Pickering, A Btry, 3/319 Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne and his daughter Aspyn Leigh in June as he was deploying to Iraq for his second combat tour. He has served exclusively in the 82nd and was in Afghanistan in 05-06. His wife Brandy is in Fayetteville, NC and is expecting their second child in January. Ted is stationed at Camp Adder, Tallil and is providing convoy security. His dad, Tim in Missouri and his mother, Mary Ann, in Sarasota, FL are very proud of him and his big sis Karen in Sydney, Australia says "good on ya bloke." We all send our love and thank everyone for their prayers and support for ALL of our servicemen and women. -- Tim Pickering of West Plains, Missouri Thursday, July 12, 2007
The sticker says it all
 My brother-in-law, Col. Doug Tucker is currently serving in Iraq. He is the base commander of Kirkuk Air Base. His wife and daughter, Susan and Courtney Tucker remain in Ramstein, Germany, until his deployment is over. Keep all in your prayers as with all the brave men and women on the front lines! WE LOVE YOU ALL -- Beth Young of Eunice, Louisiana 'We have 'adopted' him as our son'
 Brent James is in the 213th Area Support Medical Company of the Arkansas National Guard. He is currently in Mobilization Training at Ft. McCoy in Wisconsin and will be deployed to Iraq in October. His group provides medical support and treatment to injured troops in Iraq... even Iraqis if need be. We have known Brent for several years and have come to love him dearly. We have "adopted" him as our son. He is a fine, outstanding young man. I know he will do his very best to serve his country! Thank YOU so much for the job that YOU do, Robin! -- Doug, Janice & Becky Ware of Hamburg, Arkansas 'Saying goodbye'
 This is my oldest son , SSgt. Joseph A. Robles. He is saying goodbye to is eldest daughter Kaila as he leaves for his second tour in Iraq. he has another daughter Cadance. Joseph is serving in Baghdad. We are very proud and love you very much son. You are in our prayers everyday. Love Mom and Pops Stackhouse. -- Brenda Stackhouse of Rio Rancho, New Mexico 'From a family of patriots'
 This sweet man, Jeffrey Foster, got married last October -- one week later, he left his new wife to serve his country (this is his second tour). He has sacrificed his own happiness (his wife is a brave woman -- I can't imagine how hard it must be to be a newlywed and not see your husband for such an agonizingly long time), but she is upbeat with positive energy. Oh... Jeff's tour has also been extended, meaning he won't be back this October (in the illustrated time limit of one year) but it could extend to November... or even January 2008. He comes from a family of patriots and soldiers and I am so proud of him. -- Charlotte Rice of Dallas, Texas 'Proud of my brother'
 SFC James Taylor assisting soldiers at a firing range. SFC Taylor is currently deployed to Iraq. Just want to say that I am so very proud of my brother. You are doing a great job and God bless you! -- Yvonne Strickland of Newport News, Virginia 'We are from the same hometown'
 My husband, SGT. Marc Griffin, is serving in 6/9 CAV Charlie Troop with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq. This is his second tour to Iraq. He served a year in Iraq in Ramadi from Sept. 2003-Sept. 2004 and currently in Muqdadiyah and has been there since Oct. 2006. With the extension, he should come home sometime in December. My husband and I are from the same hometown, Waco, Texas, and moved to Fort Hood to be closer to family during his tour. He has been in the Army since April 2001. I love him and miss him dearly. He is my hero and I proudly call myself an Army wife. I wear my yellow ribbon and hero bracelet with his name on it every day to remind everyone of the sacrifice he makes to serve his country. -- Candy Griffin of Temple, Texas 'Playing GI Joe'
 This picture is of my husband SSG Dionicio Zarrabal playing GI Joe in Baghdad, Iraq, with the 2-16 Rangers of Fort Riley,Kansas. Our 2 children and I love and miss him very much. We will be celebrating 10 years of marriage upon his return in May 2008. Hi Robin! My mom, dad, and I are big fans of your show. I'm spending my husbands deployment with them so we watch you every morning together. My mom has been bugging me about doing this so here it is. We hope to see my husband on your salute to the troops segment very soon. Best regards... The Zarrabal Family -- Mayra Zarrabal of Killeen, Texas Tuesday, July 10, 2007
'Couldn't wait to get his boots on the ground'
 My son, Benjamin Coty Martinez, is serving with the 2-5 of the 1st Calvary in Baghdad, Iraq. He went over in May and plans to return home before Christmas. Coty joined the AF on the Delayed Enlistment Program at the end of his Junior year in High School. After graduating in 2005, he went to Basic Training in December of 2005. This is his first deployment and he couldn't wait to get his boots on the ground. He said his intention is to help the people that he comes into contact with. Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers for a safe return home. -- Denise Workheiser of Clovis, New Mexico 'Protecting the chaplain'
 My husband Juan DeJesus is currently serving in Afghanistan as a Religious Program Specialist. His kids in Colorado & Florida as well as myself wanted to salute him for what he does for our country. I admire him for what he does with the chaplain in ensuring that our troops have religious support during their deployment. His position in protecting the chaplain while in combat as well as ministry for the troops is rarely acknowledged yet, is very important on our current war on terror. Therefore, I wanted to salute him as well as all religious specialist & chaplains currently serving for our country! We all miss you very much. -- Maria, Justin, Brittany, Lexi and Karina of Gainesville, Florida 'Our July Fourth without you'
 My son, Aiden, and I watch the fireworks alone (left). And our beloved soldier at home on leave (right). To SPC Michael Pletscher of the 977 MP Company in Kirkuk, Iraq. A husband and a father, missing out on all the new things his one year old has learned. He is learning too fast. It is miserable without you, but I'd rather be miserable than happy that you're gone. Until you return, until our lives are normal, and until we are whole again. We love and miss you. -- Jacqueline Pletscher of San Angelo, Texas 'On combat duty'
 My son, U.S. Army SFC Patrick Crenshaw, is on combat duty in Iraq. He thinks Robin is one of the prettiest women on Earth and loves the show. He's serving time for our country in Iraq and it would thrill him just to get a 'shout out' from Robin and know that we here are wishing him well. His family (Mom, sister Laura, and stepdad Alex) pray for him every day and wish for his safe return in October. We'll invite all of you to his welcome home party!! -- Catherine Sobrino of Pembroke Pines, Florida Monday, July 9, 2007
Man with the plans
 I am sending you a picture of my son Joshua S. Tully, SSgt, USAF. He's on his 3rd tour to Iraq and stationed in Balad. He's the Fire Inspector. This picture shows him reviewing plans. He also volunteers at the Balad hospital. We sure miss him and can't wait for his safe return as well as all our soldiers. God Bless America! -- Sharon Torcivia of Glendale, Arizona 'Can't wait until her daddy gets home'
 I am enclosing a photo of my son, Senior Airman William Scott Seaborne. He is an aircraft mechanic currently serving in Qatar. He is stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD. His home is in Campbellsville, KY. He left behind a wife, Shaina, and a 4 year old daughter, Riley, who can't wait until her daddy gets home. -- Teresa Ralls of Campbellsville, Kentucky Serving siblings
 Brittany and Zachary are sister and brother. They joined the Air Force in 2006. She is 21 and works in Personnel at Lajes, Azores. He is 19 and works in Civil Engineering at Osan AB, South Korea. We are a very close family and keep in touch by E-mail, Web cam and phone calls. They are fourth generation military. Their dogs Spencer and Samson miss them. We are so proud of them for serving their country!! We miss them SO much and pray for their safety and the safety of all military members every day. -- Shelley and Paul Weekly of Englewood, Ohio A salute from mom
 This salute is for my son, 1st LT. Harley Jennings; serving in Iraq with the army in the 1st Cavalry at forward operating base "Warhorse". His home is near Ft. Hood, Texas and he is married to his sweet wife, Sarah. They have their first baby due the beginning of this coming December. He is hoping so much he can get home to be with his wife when his baby is born. He has been serving in Iraq since August of 2006. -- Robin Hawkins of Arlington, 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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