My Boots...

This letter came from a service member who gave his boots to his daughter to display at our Boot event at the Minnesota State Capitol:


"My darling, I hope you can use these boots. Here is a little background if you need it... I wore them while deployed to (Removed for security purposes) August 05-06. During that tour as (Removed for security purposes), I visited medical units/wounded in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and UAE. These boots flew on 53 combat sorties to places like Fallujah, Mosul, Baghdad, Balad, Kandahar, Kabul, and other places I still am not to talk about. These missions carried warriors to/from the battlefield, multi-star Generals from all branches of Service, US Senators/Representatives, critical supplies, Iraqi detainess ("persons under control"), coalition injured and most poignantly, fallen heroes on their final journey home for the wars. Mommy and I watched "American Sniper" today and so many of these memories came flooding back. While these boots took mortar and gun fire it was nothing like that taken by those who so selflessly and heroically patrolled/fought/died "outside the wire". While it is hard to give them up I know they will now serve a higher purpose. Thank you for asking! As always, I am so proud of what you've done and continue to do for our veterans!!!! Much love always, Dad"