Letters Warm Troops' Hearts

Last week The Early Show's Dave Price spent some time in Iraq visiting with troops to celebrate New Year's. This time of year it's hard to be away from home, and it's even tougher when you find yourself in the middle of a war zone.

Before he left, Price and his team gathered letters from the Glebe Elementary School and VFW Post 3150 in Arlington, Va. — people who don't even know the soldiers fighting in Iraq.

Charlie Mai's letter found its way to Baghdad, where it was opened by Lt. General Ray Odierno.

"I won't wish you a happy holidays because I don't want to imagine what a New Years is like in Iraq," Charlie, a student at Glebe, wrote. "But I do hope that you get home soon and see your family. Do you miss your family?"

"It means a lot because it means they're thinking about us. And they're thinking about our well-being," Odierno said. "And they understand the sacrifices that all these great soldiers here are making."

Master Sgt. Tamara Gregory left two sons at home. She received a letter from student Lyric Hatcher.

The letter read: "Dear Soldier, When they asked me to write this letter I was very excited … I hope God will bless every step you make in Iraq or where ever you are."

"This means a lot to me," Lyric continued. "I imagine what it would be like in the war and not knowing if you were going to leave or not."

"Lyric, it is such an honor that you took time during your holiday season to think of me," Gregory said into the camera. "And when I come home, I know where your school is because I'm stationed in your area, so when I come home maybe I'll see you, and I will be home."

Spc. Jerry Bacidore is serving in Iraq with the Illinois National Guard. He received a letter from Thomas Kane at the VFW Post 3150

"When you get back to the States, if you happen to get to Arlington, Virginia, stop by V.F.W. Post 3150; identify yourself as an Iraq veteran, and you won't be able to pay for your own drink. We got your back, buddy," Kane wrote.

Spc. Huffman is on his first tour of duty in Iraq and is about to turn 20. He received a letter from student Julia Campbell.

"Dear Soldier, Thank you so much for fighting for our country. I am so sorry that you aren't able to visit your family during the holidays. They are definitely missing you too," Julia wrote. "But you don't know how proud and supportive we all are of you. I know that I wouldn't be brave enough to fight for my Country, so to me you are a hero."

"Your letter brought a warm feeling to my heart," Huffman told Julia over the camera. "And I appreciate the fact that you care and I'm proud to fight for you."

"I will keep you in my prayers every single day and ask God to bring you home safely," student Mikayla Venson wrote to Pvt. Ryan Pearson.

"Thank you for keeping me in your prayers along with the rest of my fellow troops," he told her.

Price said the letters, no matter what they say, are very important to the soldiers.

"It's completely nonpolitical. The soldiers say it's not about policy, it's not about whether they should be there, how long they should stay what the troop build up should look like, it's about the fact that they are there and they're following the instructions given to them," Price said.

For information on how you can support the troops visit Americasupportsyou.mil.