APRIL 30,2003-- Linda Hardin, of Panama City Beach, Florida, is the proud mother of a Marine, Lieutenant Corporal George T, who is with 2ND FSSG FWD COM out of Camp Lejune. LCpl "T", who has been with the Corps for two years, was 19 years old when he was deployed on January 9, 2003. He celebrated his 20th birthday somewhere in the "sandbox". Here is a story his mother would like to share.

"I have a couple of nieces and nephews who attend school at Dadeville Elementary School located in Dadeville, AL, which is located 30 miles west of Auburn, AL on HWY 280. My son had written me early on and said many of the guys weren't receiving any mail from home. So I mentioned it to my sister and she asked the school to write letters to the Marines. Due to the mail restrictions of late, we picked up the letters from the school and sent them to my son to pass out to the Marines

"The school children wrote a total of 800 letters, which George received and passed out to all of the Marines in his unit. George said what a joy it was to hear from so many kids who loved and prayed for our Marines.

"Several students recieved mail back from the Marines; some even were sent Iraqi coins and one got a church program from one of the services over there.

"Beyond that, George purchased a flag, and had the Marines sign it, so he could send it back to me to deliver to the school.

"I waited for a long time for the the flag to get here, mail was slow from Iraq. Then, finally, a couple of weeks later, on April 21, the flag arrived, along with a handwritten note from George to the children. When I recieved the flag in the mail, it just made me cry. Shortly afterwards I got a call from George saying he was injured and would probably have surgery aboard the USSComfort. When I talked to him I asked where he was hurt at and how it happened. He replied, that he couldn't tell me how it happened only that he wasnt shot. The injury is to the right shoulder, a rotator cuff injury of some kind. The Marine Corp. doesnt allow them to give out much information. Since the call I have had no further information on George's injury.

"Last week I was in touch with the school principal, Mr. Shelton, and we decided that I would present the flag to the school on Wednesday, April 30.

"Finally, today I presented the flag to the Dadeville Elementary School. I was about in tears. There were so many kids there, and all were so excited to get this flag. While that was wonderful, a part of me hated parting with it, since it is the only thing that I have gotten sent home from my son over there.I can't wait until George returns home and finds out how excited this school and the community were to receive his flag. I am sure the school is proud of the flag, and that it will be a personal part of history for them."

"Hello PeprallyUSA-
I heard about your web site through Air Force parents group. I wish you the very best in this much appreciated endeavor! How patriotic! How wonderful! I have you linked at- http://www.geocities.com/kathysmilitarylinks/index.html http://www.geocities.com/kathysmilitarylinks/mom.html I am passing around your site also. As a mom of 3 active duty, this kind of support is needed so much. Sincerely, Kathy A"

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