Moving tribute to soldiers

By Jim Mynard
CASEY mayor Kevin Bradford read a poignant and moving letter to guests during the mayoral reception for Vietnam Veterans on Saturday, 26 August.
Cr Bradford said the letter came to him from a young girl.
He read: “Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference.
While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer.
I turned to witness one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms and as they began heading toward their gate almost everyone waved and cheered.
When I saw the soldiers, probably about 40 being applauded and cheered, it hit me.
I’m not alone.
I’m not the only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.
Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping these young unsung heroes who put their lives on the line every day for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our homes without fear of reprisal.
Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than six or seven, ran up to one of the male soldiers.
He knelt down and said ‘Hi’.
The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.
The soldier, who didn’t look older than 22, said he would try, and asked what did she want to give her daddy?
The little girl grabbed him around the neck and gave him the biggest hug she could muster and kissed him on the cheek.
The girl’s mother told the soldier that her daughter’s name was Courtney and that her husband was a corporal and had been in Afghanistan for five months.
As the mother was explaining how much her daughter missed him the young soldier teared up.
Then the soldiers huddled together and one produced a military walkietalkie.
They played with the device, talking back and forth, and the young soldier told Courtney that he spoke to her daddy and he said to give her a big hug from him.
“Your daddy told me to tell you that he loved you more than anything and he would be coming home very soon.”