A day brightener for Kathy and Bob Hanson

Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 22:29:08 +0500
From: Officer Schrage egfpd573@gmail.com
To: rohanson03@yahoo.com
Subject: Thank you.

I received a "Sanchez" hat last week. I've been meaning to write to you to thank you, but I've been procrastinating. I've been putting it off because I have no idea what to say. I was in Josh's squad as the "Charlie" team leader. I am now the Alpha team leader using his call-sign and working with his guys. Every day we go out I wonder what he would have done differently and if I'll ever fill his boots. The absence of his jokes has been the hardest. As I write this I'm trying to keep myself composed, because I believe that he wouldn't want me crying over him. The Team Leader is supposed to be strong and be looked up to by his team. When everything gets crazy, the squad leader depends on his two team leaders to keep their composure and get the job done. Josh demonstrated that with Schmitz's incident and I hope that if I ever find myself in the same situation I will be as brave as Josh.We all miss him dearly. I've spoken to some of the other guys who want to write, but also don't know where to start. Andy Riewer is my room mate and told me how strong the two of you were. He told me that no matter what I said, it would be the right thing by you. I hope I said the right thing.Thank you for being so strong. We are all in admiration of you.I never had the opportunity to ask Josh if he thought our work over here was worth it, but I believe it is. Seeing the smiles on kids' faces makes it worth it. If I change even one family's view of the US and what we're trying to do here makes it worth it."He is gone but not forgotten."

Thanks again,
SSG Aeisso Schrage
Drifter 23A