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The Soldier with five children
Saturday, January 1, 2011 10:05 AM
Well I am a man of my word so here is the email I said I would send when I had the time. Again, I want to thank both you and Jill for performing here at FOB Warhorse.
I also wanted to thank you and not only heard, but could feel, the quotations you were saying along with your music and want to assure you that there are individuals out there who things like that do touch so great job. It also lets some members of audiences know that you are human, you do feel, and you’ve had to conquer obstacles that life just loves to throw at us at any time.
However, through the perseverance of people like you, it helps keep others grounded and strong enough to get up and face the next day when just getting up is the hardest thing to do. If both of you happen to get time from your schedules along the way, I would very much like to hear from you and about future performances and how they continue to affect you and also if you have anymore of those quotes to throw them my way as well.
Thanks again for supporting Soldiers.
PFC Jerrod Saunders
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Michael and Jill,
Your personalized visit to the Rugged Brigade meant a TON to myself and my entire team!
It is always appreciated when a big-name entertainer makes the trip to Iraq or Afghanistan to visit our Soldiers ... but I have never experienced the sincerity, inspiration and kindness that the Peterson-Chambers Team provided.
We now have large group of Soldiers (myself included) with Michael Peterson inspirational quotes on the back of their "goal-setting" 3x5 cards ... thoughts that can/will change some lives.
Can't thank you enough.
Very Respectfully,
Kent
COL Kent D. Savre 36th Engineer Brigade Balad, Iraq - Stay Rugged!
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Colonel (R) Jill Chambers,
Ma'am,
Glad to hear you guys made it back safely. I really enjoyed talking with you. Your visit was both timely and rewarding. I could hardly contain myself as Michael shared with us...couldn't wait to get my journal out and capture his wise offerings. He created quite a buzz in the building. Michael's performance was a welcomed treat for the Soldiers of the Rugged Brigade.
If ever you think I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Upon our return to Fort Hood, I'll take command of the 20th Engineer Battalion. You have an open invitation and are always welcome.
I can be reached at jason.kelly@us.army.mil
/r
Jason
STAY RUGGED!
Jason E. Kelly
LTC, EN
Deputy Commander
Joint Task Force Rugged
Joint Base Balad, Iraq
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Michael and Jill,
Again, thank you for such a wonderful time and for all that you do; I can't tell you how much it means to all who are away from their families to have a show such as was put on to spark a spirit of peace, joy, and a happy heart. You guys are wonderful and I'm thankful to call the two of you friend as their is nothing greater in this world. Take care, enjoy the rest of your time in Iraq and please, have a safe journey home.
Doug Hansen – JSS Shield
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Michael and Jill,
First, I'd just like to express my gratitude to the both of you; thank you both for just being YOU. It takes a lot to be the caliber of people that you all are.
It's not easy to help people it just sounds easy.
When people understand that helping one another is a responsibility whether you know the person or not, we can go further along in society in all levels and truly be the best and at everything.
You all came all this way many times this year just to continue to encourage us and to share a good time with us. I know you share it as an honor for you, but the time you all shared with us was/is sincerely appreciated and priceless.
So, from its deepest meaning in appreciation, THANK YOU! You two said some things to me that confirmed what I need to be doing with my life. I wish you all the best 2011 has to offer!
Your friend for life,
Jerome Hodge
SSGT, USAF
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Michael,
Sir, I just thought you should know that your presence here at FOB Warhorse was warming. Thank you for supporting our troops and for your kind words. God bless you and yours, and thank you for coming out sir.
Sincerely,
SSG Ascencio
US ARMY
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Michael,
Thank you Michael for a great concert tonight on FOB Union III. While we are a small group, your laughter, music and thoughts made yet another Christmas away from my family a bit easier. Thank you for your Service to us and, in your own way, to our Country.
Mark Patton
US Navy
Baghdad, Iraq
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Concert at FOB Union III, Baghdad on Christmas Day
Sunday, December 26, 2010 2:02 AM
Dear Michael,
Thank you very much for spending Christmas Day at FOB Union III with all of us. My colleagues and I absolutely enjoyed the songs and entertainment, as well as some hilarious jokes. For a few hours in time, you enabled us to think about something else besides work, reflect on our lives and confirm what we value most - our families and friends who are spending Christmas without us this year.
Cheers,
Gerhard
COL Gerhard Schröter
USF-I, J4 (FWD)
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Sunday afternoon at Camp Ramadi
Michael,
Sir I enjoyed your show and your message. As I said when we spoke thank you for what you do for our troops. Again God bless you for what you do.
Tom
Thomas Egan Site Manager KBR Inc. B4 Ar Ramadi
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Michael and Jill,
What a way to end 2010 and look forward to 2011 on a positive note in the message you brought to the 36th Engineer Brigade Soldiers! I wish every Soldier returning from Iraq and Afghanistan could hear you speak for one hour during their reintegration training. The message that you bring as only you can present it based on your life experiences resonates with all who hear it.
I don't think I ever properly thanked you for the week you spent in Nebraska back 2008 presenting your "Real Life Tour" and "Tag Your It" high school program when I was the Company Commander of Lincoln Recruiting Company.
I can honestly say that this was by far the best recruiting event that I was a part of during my three years in command. The presentation was top shelf and the message that was given to the students plus how it was delivered was right on the mark. I remember DR Kent Mann principle of Grand Island SR high school (GISH), one of the biggest high schools in my area, was skeptical about letting you into the high school because your show was sponsored by the Army.
After seeing the presentation at GISH (standing room only) he became one of the biggest supporters and called other principles on his own to tell them the message given in the show was the real deal. What was more amazing was that he drove 200 miles round trip for the COI dinner and asked if he could speak and tell the other educators at the dinner of how powerful the presentation was.
The COI dinner alone had the principles of 4 of my largest high schools present, the State Commander of the American Legion and even NE GOV Dave Heinemann stopped by to say some words to the crowd. After your tour left town the word spread and I had several request by the high schools in my area that if you ever came back they wanted your program to come to their school. Your program opened a lot of doors for me and I thank you for it. I would recommend your program to anyone and only say that they have to experience it to understand how powerful it is.
Again thank you for making the extra effort to do an additional show at Task Force Rugged on Joint Base Ballad. I heard nothing but positive feedback from both leaders and Soldiers alike who were in attendance. We appreciate yours and Jill's support to the troops in Iraq! Hope our paths cross again often.
MAJ Scott Holden
36TH EN BDE S1
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Some Face Book Posts
Patrick Dugan Michael, Thanks for the fantastic show you gave us here at little old Taji. God Bless brother!!
Jason Nottingham Not enough can be said in appreciation of the time you take with the soldiers deployed overseas. Tonight at Taji it was evident you love what you are doing and you really put the whole crowd at ease. Thanks for taking us all away from it for awhile. Safe journeys and much success on your new album!
Boyd Thomasson I agree with Jason. Thanks for swinging by Camp Ramadi Iraq as well and signing my guitar. It's something that I will treasure forever. The way you had us laughing, you could really tell that you enjoy yourself as an entertainer. There was no doubt there were many many soldiers hitting the downloads that night and listening to some of your music. I've always been a fan and to actually meet you and the colonel was truly an honor. I hope to see you touring when we return to the states next summer and I look forward to the album. Glad to have you back!!
Boyd Thomasson Here is a photo of Michael signing my guitar for my brother who danced to "From Here To Eternity" at his wedding years ago and also served in Desert Storm with the Marines. Thanks again Michael.
