Letters to the Editor

Thanks from Iraq

On behalf of the entire Brigade, I want to say thanks for all of your prayers and support you and your team provided to our soldiers. Because of your efforts and contributions this deployment was very durable. The packages really made a huge difference and brought a lot of joy to our soldiers, especially those who were located at our Patrol Bases and Joint Security Stations.

The word "thanks" seems so inadequate for all you have done, but it comes from the heart and with all of my sincerity. What you did and were able to do was simply amazing and beyond belief. Through your efforts and coordination an entire Brigade benefitted.

The Brigade has five U.S. Battalions and at least three MITT teams. That means about 3,800 soldiers were blessed by your great "ministry team." These soldiers were located in over 15 different locations. Therefore, the chaplains and soldiers on convoys took packages from your team to the soldiers at their different locations.

I pray that God will always bless you and sustain you with His grace.

Again, thanks so much for what you have done.

Be blessed and keep us in your prayers as we prepare to return home.

Chaplain (MAJ) A. L. Downing

4th BDE, 3ID Chaplain

FOB Kalsu, Iraq

Veteran plate thanks

This letter conveys a big "Thank You" to the veterans in Flathead County who purchased 1,365 "Veteran" license plates this year!

"Veteran" license plates cost $10 and the entire amount is used to fund the State of Montana's three veterans' cemeteries - located at Fort Harrison (near Helena), Miles City and Missoula.

All are operated and maintained to National Shrine Standards - the same standard as Arlington National Cemetery - and Veteran plate sales is the only state money we receive to keep this program funded.

Please consider the Veteran plate upon your next renewal - just show the clerk a copy of your honorable discharge. For any further information please call 324-3740.

Joe Foster

Administrator

Montana Veterans Affairs Division

Bob Marshall thanks

The staff and board of directors of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation would like to thank the many volunteers, local businesses, and artists for making our 2nd annual fundraising event a great success. The Voices of the Wilderness, an art exhibition and silent auction to support wilderness trail work and restoration volunteer projects in the Bob Marshall Wilderness took place at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell on October 18th.

The fundraising event showcased local artists and highlighted participants in the Artist-Wilderness-Connection, an artist-in-residency program open to Montana artists. This partnership program is offered through the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Flathead National Forest, the Hockaday Museum of Art, and Swan Ecosystem Center. Participants in the program complete a one to two-week-long residency at a remote front country or backcountry cabin on the Flathead National Forest.

Special guest artists that participated in the program presented at the event, relating their experiences and their deepened creative connection to the wilderness as a result. Thank you to Janet Sullivan, Jane Kleinschmidt, and Karin Connelly for sharing experiences and art from the program. A special thanks to Jane Latus Emmert for contributing a "quick-draw" painting that was created at the event and live auctioned off, as well as Edd Blackler as our fearless auctioneer.

We would also like to thank all of the individuals and businesses who donated art and handcrafted items for our silent auction. These include John Ashley Fine Photography, Sally Hickman, Jane Kleinschmidt, Mike Jenson, Artfusion, Allen Jimmerson, Markle Pottery, Karin Connelly, Kristin Murphy, Heidi Haugen Pottery, Tammie Lee, Jane Latus Emmert, Bill Knoll, George Garrity, Boot Wood Artisans, Linda Tippets, Mountain Lake Lodge, Ann Beeman, Deb Mucklow Starling, DeNae Weimer, Mark Ogle, Buffalo Trails Gallery, Deliah Albee Studio, Walking Man Frame Shop and Gallery, Janet Sullivan, Glacier Frame Shop, Pam Little, Christy O'Neil, Courtney Lach, Lisa Aiken, Counter Assault, Bill Flint, among many others.

We are grateful to our financial sponsors, including Glacier Bank, Brett Thuma Gallery, Lookout Ridge LLC, and River Design Group. Food and beverage sponsors include Simple Chef Catering, Rocky Mountain Wine, and Big Sky Brewery.

Finally we would like to thank all of you that attended and contributed at the event, as well as a big thanks to the Hockaday Museum of Art for the venue and assistance.

Thanks again to all the individuals and businesses that contributed to make this annual event so successful, and for helping to care for the Bob Marshall Wilderness!

Paul Travis,

Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation