Feelin' the Love From the 2-503 Chosen Few Down Range

A few weeks ago I asked one of the 2-503 Chosen Co men I am supporting to "put my name on one of those rounds"  A couple of mornings ago I woke up to find the following picture on my Facebook wall:

The Soldier pictured is from the 173rd, 2-503 Chosen Company aka the "Chosen Few" aka the "Punishers" currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Written on the grenade is "LETA sends her regards f**ker"  (The last word is actually spelled out).

For those of you who are serving, have served or have a family member or close friend serving you can probably imagine how touched and honored I was by this incredible photo.  Jim Hanson, retired Special Forces, saw the picture and thought it was so insanely cool he wrote about it on Blackfive.

Several of "the Bella Moms", who are friends of mine, LOVED the picture and wanted to send their "regards" to the enemy, too.  The Bella Moms are a group of moms whose son's served in OEF VIII with the 2-503 Chosen Few.  Several of their sons were Wounded in Action, others, very sadly, were Killed in Action.  At least one of the sons is back in Afghanistan for this deployment.  So the same Soldier who sent me "my" photo arranged for one for them, too:

The caption for this photo is, "Shrapnel- The Bella Mommas want YOU!!!...dedicated to the Wives, Mothers, Sisters and Supporters of the Chosen Few's Fallen..."

I am forever grateful for the men and women of this nation who choose to serve our country and do so in such a difficult circumstances and, sadly, without the support from many back here that they deserve.  I am also grateful for their families who sacrifice so much and to those whose loved ones gave their lives doing what they believed was right - to defend our nation.

It should be no secret to those who know me or who read this blog that I do what I can, along with many great Americans, to let these men and women know we DO care about them and appreciate them so much.  And it should also be no secret that the Paratroopers of the 173rd, 2-503rd are incredibly special to me.

Vega - YOU ROCK!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!