Capt. Joe Marshall, U.S. Army, works with Iraqi schoolchildren while serving his tour. — MICHAEL MOLINARO
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
We’ve been beyond blessed, my wife and I, to hear from so many men and women either currently serving our country or having already served, as related to our program for military subscriptions. Every last one has moved us, and we thank you not only for your interest in the site, not only for your service, but also for thinking enough to share your stories.
The one below came from Capt. Joe Marshall, U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq war and currently stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. It needs no further preface …
____________________
DK,
Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for your generous donation of memberships to all active-duty soldiers and your robust efforts to give as many vets as possible that same privilege.
I can’t tell you how important sports and anything that reminds us of home are when serving so far away. When I was in Iraq, I used to look forward to coming off patrol and checking out what happened to our teams that day. Reading your articles — in the Trib then — really made it seem like for just a moment I was back at home and a part of the usual discussions on Pittsburgh sports going on that day. Sports really are an incredible connector, and the pride of one’s city and each victory seems a little greater when grouped together with people from such varying backgrounds.
I know there are countless soldiers logging into DK on Pittsburgh Sports right now getting that exact same feeling.
My Platoon was always humbled by the support of those taking time out of their busy days to mail us packages or other well wishes. I wanted to send you the same thanks and to let you know how much of a difference it makes. Looking forward to the continued growth of the site. And if you’re ever out in Colorado, the Starbucks is on me!
Joe
____________________
Thank you, Joe, on more levels than I can conceive, including for your kind permission to publish this and humanize what, for far too many, is an abstract, faceless concept. I could not be more proud and humbled to have you — and others in your class — reading here.
Oh, and the coffee is so on me.
April 1, 2015
Special: Letter from an Iraq war veteran
by Dejan Kovacevic • Site stuff • Special
Capt. Joe Marshall, U.S. Army, works with Iraqi schoolchildren while serving his tour. — MICHAEL MOLINARO
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
We’ve been beyond blessed, my wife and I, to hear from so many men and women either currently serving our country or having already served, as related to our program for military subscriptions. Every last one has moved us, and we thank you not only for your interest in the site, not only for your service, but also for thinking enough to share your stories.
The one below came from Capt. Joe Marshall, U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq war and currently stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo. It needs no further preface …
____________________
DK,
Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for your generous donation of memberships to all active-duty soldiers and your robust efforts to give as many vets as possible that same privilege.
I can’t tell you how important sports and anything that reminds us of home are when serving so far away. When I was in Iraq, I used to look forward to coming off patrol and checking out what happened to our teams that day. Reading your articles — in the Trib then — really made it seem like for just a moment I was back at home and a part of the usual discussions on Pittsburgh sports going on that day. Sports really are an incredible connector, and the pride of one’s city and each victory seems a little greater when grouped together with people from such varying backgrounds.
I know there are countless soldiers logging into DK on Pittsburgh Sports right now getting that exact same feeling.
My Platoon was always humbled by the support of those taking time out of their busy days to mail us packages or other well wishes. I wanted to send you the same thanks and to let you know how much of a difference it makes. Looking forward to the continued growth of the site. And if you’re ever out in Colorado, the Starbucks is on me!
Joe
____________________
Thank you, Joe, on more levels than I can conceive, including for your kind permission to publish this and humanize what, for far too many, is an abstract, faceless concept. I could not be more proud and humbled to have you — and others in your class — reading here.
Oh, and the coffee is so on me.