This part of the 2008 journey I took, actually began in early 2004. I was deployed with Alpha Battery 2-146 Field Artillery and had some time on my hands. I began corresponding with Melodie, who at the time was working with a soldier support network called Books for Soldiers. After a few months of writing back and forth, not only to Melodie, but many other supporters as well... I received a LARGE postcard...it was literally nearly 2 feet x 3 feet in size. It had a beautifully drawn heart and the words " Hate can't drive love out ". Amazingly enough, it traveled from Zanesville Ohio to me, and WAS NOT BENT OR CREASED ONCE!! I took some photos of me and my troops holding the postcard and sent them back to Melodie. She sent back a wonderfully versed letter, describing Jessica to me....the young girl that made me the postcard. Fast forward to 2008. I drove from Washington state, across the US, with many great stops in between to see friends and family. The photos above show Operation Spirit Inc....a soldier support group that Melodie created, the city's famous "Y" bridge and two photos of when young Jessica and I finally met, after 4 years and two deployments. The few days I spent in Zanesville were so incredibly wonderful, with visits to a nearby Aeronautical Museum, dinner with Melodie and her terrific family and the barbecue, to celebrate my return from a deployment and meet Jessica. These folks, as well as many others are in my heart always!!! My next stop will be Rocksprings, WY........see you there!!!
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