Austin Children, Artwork Show Support for Troops

America Supports You ^ | June 21, 2005 | Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada

[SandRat]

AUSTIN, Texas, June 21, 2005 – Children gathered on the steps of the state capitol June 14 to show support for deployed troops.

Sculptor Heather McMahan’s Art for Soldiers, Children’s Courtyard, the Texas National Guard, and KVUE television news anchor Tyler Sieswerda presented the “It’s Flag Day! … Thank a Soldier” event.

Ms. McMahan, known for her “Welcome Home” sculpture, which has been displayed in the Pentagon and at Bergstrom International Airport, invited Austin children to express their feelings about the war and show their support for the troops through art.

The art was displayed in the main corridor at the capitol, but before the public had a chance to admire the exhibition, they were invited to the steps outside where the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and freckle-faced musician Lauren Beller sang her heart-breaking rendition of “A Soldier’s Prayer.”

Jeff Beller, Lauren’s father, said he was inspired to write the song because he realized he was blessed to spend every day with his daughter whereas Soldiers and Airmen often miss huge chunks of their children’s lives because of overseas deployments. The song is available on CD, and according to the Bellers’ Web site, 10 percent of the proceeds from the CD goes to The Fallen Patriots Fund to help the families of veterans in need.

After Lauren sang and accompanied herself on her ukulele, spectators showed ---

[SandRat]

And a small child shall lead them.

[Lady Jag]

[Lady Jag]

Nice tagline.

[SandRat]

Fit with the life I had for 20+ years and it still fits with me working with the Boy Scouts.

[Lady Jag]

Seen mine?

[SandRat]

Yep we're kindred spirits it would seem

[baystaterebel]

I have to tell you a story about my son’s boots,” the letter continued. “I was moving them while I was cleaning and happened to look at the bottom of them. Written in permanent marker was O-POS, his blood type. It really hit me hard as I realized why they were marked.

That struck home.

[SandRat]

I kept an extra set of dog-tags laced in each boot.

[Lady Jag]

In this case, we're of like mind, anyway.

[moog]

We need MORE stories like this ones. All that seem to get reported are the negative ones AND the negative letter stories. I love to see this type of story. Thanks for posting it.