Baby Jack waits for his daddy to come home.

I would like to salute my husband, Captain Jason Orris for his work in Afghanistan. My husband left for training the day after his son was born and left for Afghanistan a month and a half after he was born! We love and miss you Captain Orris. Baby Jack is growing each and every day and hopefully, by the time you come home next year; he can "walk" to you! Stay safe and come home to us! We need you!

Jason left his 2 month old son, Jack, to leave for a year in Afghanistan. He will miss all of Baby Jack's firsts – first steps, first Christmas, etc. But he is Jack's hero and we are so proud of him! American soldier and Jack's hero! We miss you Jason!

– Jessica Orris – Peoria, Illinois

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SFC Denver Ford and his son SPC Denver Ford Jr are both stationed in Afghanistan.

This salute is from Tina Ford to her husband Denver Ford and her son Denver Ford Jr.

I wanted to salute my husband SFC Denver Ford and my son SPC Denver Ford Jr, they are both stationed in Afghanistan in different areas. My husband has been in the army 20 years and this is his second tour of duty overseas, the first time he was in Germany for 9 months, and my son has been in the army 3 years and this is his first tour of duty overseas.

My son will be home in August this year and my husband will be home in February/March next year. We also have three daughters; Brooke14, Emily 10, and Abby 8. The kids in our family are all watching for pictures of the parrot going overseas, we call her Polly the tail-less parrot. There are a couple pictures of my husband and son together, before my son left. They did see each other once briefly while over there, but haven't received those pictures yet. I just wanted to let them know we all miss them very much and they are our heros.

– Tina Ford

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Brandon and Tiffany.

I want to salute my hero, my fiancé, Specialist Brandon Forland. He is a gunner, serving with the 1st Battalion 161st Infantry of the Washington Army National Guard. He is deployed in Iraq and has been there since late October 2008. Brandon is an amazing person and I feel extremely blessed to have him in my life.

Our wedding is set for this October and I cannot wait for what I am sure is going to be the best day of our lives. All your friends and family miss you so much baby! We cannot wait for you to get home! Stay safe over there and thank you for your service, you'll always be a hero in my eyes. I love you!

– Tiffany

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Sgt. Gary Gergerich after the birth of his daughter.

Sgt. Gary Gergerich is the best husband and father. He is currently deployed in Iraq and we hope to have him home safe. He was deployed and on his was home for the birth of our daughter. Although he was stuck in a sand storm he was able to come home and meet his new baby girl. We miss him so much and look forward to his return. This has been a long deployment (15 months) We can't wait to see him again.

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Clay is a Marine Aviator based at Al Sade Iraq. He works 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week!!!!!! He has been in Iraq since September 2008.

God bless our troops and God bless the wonderful families who give so much in every way!!

– Gussie Wynegar – Johnson City, Tennessee

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I would like to salute my husband CPL David Eric Perez. He served one year in Korea and returned home in May 2008. We were married September 7th and then Eric deployed to Iraq on Jan 30th one day before his 27th birthday. 3 days later his second nephew Aaron Perez was born. I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday and a speedy and safe return home to us all! Eric is a very talanted young man and a wonderful husband, brother, son, uncle, and friend! We all miss him dearly and are counting the days untill he returns home!

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My son Santino Edd is in the Army stationed in Iraq. He has been in for several years now plus just reinlisted for five more. He is expecting his first child in August, I am so happy for him. We want him to know we all love him and miss him very much and can't wait til he comes home again on leave. Take care my son and may God keep you safe.

– Deborah Ann Voorhees – Oregon

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Robin, I just wanted to let the world know how proud I am of my daughter Ariel Reed. Since the first day that she was born I could not have been more proud. Although she was born on a Air Force Base, I never thought of her joining the Air Force and making me even more proud. She's taking on-line college courses and only a couple of classes short of getting her Associates Degree. Keep up the good work my big girl and Daddy loves you so much!

– SFC Delmar J. Reed – Topeka, Kansas

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