I really don't know where to start, so as they say "If you don't know where to start.. Go back to the beginning."

Here's the scenario:
Before the 148th fighter wing deployed for Iraq, Lt.Col . Charlie Nelson and others from the 148th were down at the VFW Post with their families enjoying Karaoke for the evening. I at that time presented Lt.Col. Nelson and his fellow crew members with a PGR flag for him to take and display on the base so they would know that we will be here to welcome them home, also that we will be thinking and praying for their safe return home.

Well, last Friday I got a call at home from the VFW asking me to come down, that there was someone who needed to talk to me. So Colleen and I zipped down to the Post to see what was going on. I no sooner got in the door, the music stopped, people spread out and there stood Lt.Col. Nelson at the mic. First came the hugs and welcome homes then he proceeded to unfold the flag I gave him and he explained that he had flown it on his first sortie over Iraq and then him, his crew and some of the Army Sgts hand carried it and people signed it. He also had it embroidered as you could see from the picture with
"THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT FROM THE 148TH FIGHTER WING".

Needless to say, I was so humbled I was barely able to say a word except Thanks. He also presented me with the sign saying that the flag was flown over Iraq with the date it took place. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. And reading all the signatures on there just gave me the chills just as it did to everybody there that read them too.

It was something I didn;t expect and to come Full Circle like this is uncanny.

I just needed to share this with all of you. This is what makes it worth it all. I really can't explain the feelings I have and the warmth in my heart but for this old Nam Vet, I will never forget it and the healing it has given me personally. Thank you all for being a part of this whole thing. It does me proud to represent such an organization as the PGR and especially the Minnesota PGR

Den Padora
Duluth ARC
Commander VFW Post 6320, Duluth, MN