Remembering those in uniform this Holiday Season
Posted December 28, 2006
As part of the holiday season The Martha's Vineyard Times invited our readers to send a seasonal greeting to men and women serving in our country's military.
Those messages are printed below.
To Army Sgt. Randy Dull:
Remembering you on the MVRHS football team, we thank you for your service on America's team, and wish you a safe, successful and sunny Christmas.
Leigh and Procter Smith
(Also serving in uniform, but in the U.S. at present are former players Owen Mercier of Vineyard Haven and Christopher Clark of Vineyard Haven, son of Nancy Gardella).
To Sgt. Randy Dull, Maj. Sean Smith, and HM3 Matthew Bradley:
We wish you the solace of beautiful Island memories as you spend your holidays far from home and family in service and sacrifice for your country. With our heartfelt gratitude,
Janet and Peter Hefler
Merry Christmas, Staff Sgt. Randy Dull and all our servicemen. We look forward to the day when there will truly be peace on earth and goodwill toward all men.
Love, Mary Jane Laverty
Chris - we're proud of you for your service to our country. Keep up the good work. We're all thinking of you and wait anxiously for your return.
Jim and Deb Brown
Sgt Randy Dull
We admire your Honor, Courage and Commitment. With love, your West Coast
Family.
Cousin Nadirah
To Randy and Comrades in Arms:
We salute you. Knowing we're the "Land of the Free" BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE, we thank you for your courage and sacrifice.
All our Love, The Gilkes Family
To our Dear Randy and all other brave Islanders keeping us safe wherever your service takes you, you'll always be in our hearts. We love you. Happy Holidays!
The Polleys Family
To all our Service Men and Women:
Thank you so much for your sacrifices and the sacrifices of your families.
We look forward to your safe return. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes!
In Sincerest Gratitude,
VFW Post 9261, Oak Bluffs, MA
Hi Matt,
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will raise a Heineken to you at the Vineyard Pool and Spa annual Christmas party. Stay safe, we're thinking about you, buddy!
The Gang at Vineyard Pool and Spa
To Jordan Baptiste, United States Coast Guard:
Congratulations on your recent assignment in south Central America and your award and promotion. Looking forward to your leave at home this week for Christmas. Your proud Dad
Lester Baptiste
Let not the voices of ignorance or idealistic pacifism dissuade your noble cause to defend us against those who despise or blame our country for the woes of the world.
Respectfully, Linda Mott-Smith
To our service men and women,
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I want to say how wonderful you all are and to say thanks for your service.
Susan McClinchie
Merry Christmas Staff Sgt. Randy Dull and all others in uniform. Thank you for serving our country. You are amazing!
Love, Janette Andrews
Dear soldiers from Martha's Vineyard,
Thank you for all you do for our country. We will be thinking of you through out the holidays. I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Sincerly ,Kim Montanile
Dear Major Sean Smith
Thank you for your dedication to our country. Your continued service means a lot, especially to everyone on the Island. You will be in my thoughts this Holiday season. I hope that you have a happy and safe holiday. Good luck in the new year. I hope that you accomplish all of your goals.
Respectfully, Marguerite Cogliano
Dear People in uniform,
Please come home. Happy holidays.
Arno Ewing
Dear Sgt. Randy Dull, Major Sean Smith, and Matthew Bradley,
Happy Holidays! We appreciate everything you have done for us and this country. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday.
Best Regards, Cassandra Nordstrom
To Randy Dull, Sean Smith and Mathew Bradley,
Enjoy the holidays and a happy new year. The Island is small, and we are all thinking about you and all of the soldiers this time of year.
Best Regards, Amanda Brown
Dear Hometown Heroes,
We are all here wishing you a HAPPY HOLIDAYS and good new year. Also we are all hoping you come home safe and hope to see you guys soon.
Nikolaj Wojtkielo
Dear Soldiers,
You are the true American heroes. I wish you happy holidays and a great year to look forward to. Come home safely.
Billy Johnson
Greeting
Chris, we're proud of you for your service to our country. Keep up the good work. We're all thinking of you and wait anxiously for your return.
Jim and Deb Brown
To All Who Serve,
You make us proud - when we look at our flag we see you. You are what everyone should stand for. Stay safe and come home soon. Each one of you is a HERO.
Thanks - Ryan Ruley and Family
Hi,
My husband and I just recently got married and moved to Ft. Bragg, N.C. We were both born and raised on the Island.
My husband's name is Daniel Blake II, and he is a Private in the US Army. He is deploying to Afghanistan in a couple of weeks so I think I just want to say I love you. Always and Forever. His home town is Oak bluffs.
Thank you so much, and I think this is a great idea, especially for those soldiers who won't get to be home for the holidays.
Ashley Blake
To: ET2 Eddie Hughes - USS Dallas (SSN 700)
From: Heather, Emily & Kaitlyn Hughes,
Groton, Conn.
Dear Ed,
The whole family misses you very much this Holiday Season. Thank you for your sacrifice. May the USS Dallas Crew have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukah. We love you!
Love Always,
Heather, Emily and Kaitlyn
(family of Jaime & Donna Leon, Oak Bluffs)
Greeting To All the Soldiers
Thank you! Rick Mello
Good Morning,
Attached please find holiday greeting letters from high school students to the men and women serving in our country's military.
All the best,
Dawn Feinsmith, Assistant to Principal
Margaret M. Regan
Thank you to all the members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you for all of your hard work. Stay well and be safe. I hope you have a Happy Holiday and a great New Year!
Respectfully yours, Ali Krecker
To all members of the Armed Forces: Season's Greetings from home, and keep fighting the good fight. It takes a lot of courage to do what you do, more than I'll probably ever have.
Respectfully yours, Michael Robinson
Dear Members of the U.S. Armed Forces:
I really respect all of you who have the courage to fight for all of us back home. I wish you all to have safe and Happy Holidays.
Sincerely, Joshua Paulson,
Dear Sergeant Dull, Major Smith and Hospital man Bradley,
Thank you all so much for your service. My thoughts are with you this Holiday Season!
Respectfully yours, Max Nunes
