This past weekend was the Christmas Party for the Hood River and The Dalles Oregon Units of the Oregon National Guard and for any families of deployed heroes from the Gorge region. The Gorge Heroes Club would like to share a "letter of thanks" that we received from Oregon's Congressman Greg Walden.
Greetings National Guard members and families of deployed soldiers,
I am sorry that I cannot be with you in person but I am with you in spirit today as you gather. I want to say a special thanks to The Gorge Heroes Club, The Mid-Columbia Veterans Committee, The VFW Auxiliary and the Family Readiness Group headed by Lisa Bishop for coordinating this wonderful event. Google also deserves a big thank you for setting up computers here today, so that folks can see their deployed loved ones. I would also like to thank The Mid-Columbia Fire Department for serving this fine meal that has been provided free of charge by The Sassy Onion who came all the way from Salem for this event. In addition to all of these great folks, Griffith Motors of The Dalles and The Dollar Tree stores of both Hood River and The Dalles have done an outstanding job helping Santa and his elves get the toys ready for all the children here today.
Thank you Randy Haines for providing the music for us here today, and also thank you Bob Davis for taking pictures of the kids with Santa. And let's not forget to thank Santa and Mrs. Claus for taking time from their very busy schedule in the North Pole to come down and spread some cheer to the kids and families of our deployed soldiers. All of these groups and folks deserve a round of applause.
Now it is time to thank the folks that have really brought us all together here today: the families of the soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team.
I would like to thank each and every one of you for your service and support of our great nation's fighting men and women. To be a complete soldier, ready to answer the call of our nation, one must have the love and support of people just like you. Keeping a household running, paying the bills, mowing the lawn, raising the children without the presence of significant others...all of these things add to the effectiveness of our fighting forces, and you are the ones providing that support. Taking the time to write a letter, send an email or answer the phone at odd hours keeps our soldiers minds just a little calmer and better able to focus on the mission at hand. Knowing that loved ones are well cared for in their absence makes for an easier separation, adding to the readiness and mindset that is crucial for our soldiers to maintain when deployed. Your support and sacrifice, particularly during the Christmas season, is valued and appreciated. Although you are not deployed to a foreign country, have no doubt that you are serving right alongside our beloved soldiers as they fulfill the mission they have so bravely accepted. Thank you again for supporting our men and women of Alpha and Fox Companies, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, you are critical to the success of their mission.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. God Bless America!
Congressman Greg Walden
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