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.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
'Doing what he was meant to do'
 SPC Patrick Hollenbeck. 571 MP Company, 504 Military Police Battalion-nickname DRAGONFIGHTERS Our son Patrick is currently serving as an MP with the U.S. Army in Iraq. Whenever we hear from him, he tells us he's doing what he was meant to do. His brothers and sisters in arms are the most important thing on his mind at all times. He is truly a hero. -- Carol Hollenbeck of Endicott, New York 'Wish he would hurry up and come home'
 Robin, I am sending you a picture of my husband (PFC Akeem J. Fuentes) who is deployed in Iraq. He has been gone since October 2006. He is part of the 615th (first cav division)out of Fort Hood. We are very proud of him. I always tell him that he is "My hero!!" I will always be here waiting just for him. I love him and miss him dearly. He does have three step daughters who also miss him very much. I do carry these pictures in my purse and every chance I get to show them off I do. I just wish he would hurry up and come home. He is a great mechanic and is deployed in Taji. His personality is just as wonderful as his smile. He is a wonderful person to be around and to be with. -- Juania Fuentes of Kileen, Texas Wednesday, August 15, 2007
'Son, father, husband and brother'
 The Wells family from Sturgis Michigan would like to pay salute to our son, father, husband and brother Corporal Justin W. Wells. Corporal Wells is currently serving with the United States Army in Iskandariyah, Iraq. He is a mortar man and drives the Humvee on missions. We also salute all of the troops overseas. They all deserve our support. We love you and miss you. -- Billie Wells of Sturgis, Michigan Snow in Iraq
 This is a picture of my brother, SSG Russell McGillivray (without the hat) and a fellow serviceman, SPC Richard Cowen. This picture was taken when they were stationed in Mosul in Feb. 07. They were surprised to see it snow in Iraq. They are now in Baghdad and are coming home in October. Russell and Richard are with the 399th Combat Support Hospital. Russell is also a Captain of the West Warwick Fire Department in Rhode Island. Besides his mother, brothers and sister waiting his return, he has a wife and 2 children. His son Aaron is 11 and his daughter Meagan is 8, while his son Justin, 20 is at Lewis and Clarke State College in Idaho working toward a degree in Education. We are all so proud of him and all the service men and women and can't wait to see him. -- Christine Rathbun of Exeter, Rhode Island 'Can't wait for you to come home'
 This is for Tracy Schotta. He's in the 329th Chemical Platoon serving in Baghdad, Iraq right now. Tracy we love you very much here at home and can't wait for you to come home. Your loving wife-to-be, Tina. -- Tina Korreck of Wyoming, Michigan Monday, August 13, 2007
'Absolutely moved to tears'
 This is my nephew, Senior Airman Brett Randolph. He is in the United States Air Force and he is our HERO. He has been in Japan, and in Iraq twice. We miss him terribly and we are hoping he is safe and knows how proud and much we love him. This picture was taken in July in Iraq. His mother, Ann Randoph, turned 50. He was not able to be with us so he sent this picture to her. She found it as she opened her menu at her party and was absolutely moved to tears. He is a very strong individual in body and mind. We are so so very proud of him and wish him home soon and safely. He is our hero and is a hero to so many others he has never met before. We love him so much. -- Meghan Beaton of Griffin, Georgia |
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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