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Thursday, March 31, 2005

A Message from the Soldiers' Angels Letter Writing Team

Welcome Home
Sgt. Ryan Juliano
I Got Your Back

I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight.
The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud. My daddy's got your back.

I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud. My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack.
My heart may break, but I am proud. My husband's got your back.

I am a soldier. Serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing, the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home. It's me who's got your back.

--Autumn Parker--


Sergeant Ryan Juliano, our Letter Writing Team would like to take this moment to proudly welcome you home to your family and friends. Our prayers have been answered and you have been delivered back to your family safe and sound. Though we know of some of the terrible things you have had to endure, we can never know what you have been through. Just know that we all love you for it. You are what Heroes are made of, Sgt. Ryan Juliano. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for "Having our Backs". Now Ryan, on behalf of my team, I want you to know that we "Have YOUR Back". Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you as you readjust to civilian life. We are all family here, so I want you to feel comfortable to let us know if there is anything we can do for you. There is no way that we can ever repay you for what you have done for our nation.

Some of our members have included messages from the heart for you, that I thought you would enjoy. Ryan, thank you for your service to our nation. Thank you for your dedication to freedom. Thank you for your commitment to your friends and comrades in the 82nd Airborne. We honor the memory of your good friend, SSG Zachary Wobler. We pray for his memory, his family, and his friends. God bless you for all you have done. You are an AMERICAN HERO.

Now some words of love and comfort from your friends at our Letter Writing Team:

Ryan, Welcome Home!!! Thank so you so much for all you've done for us and another big HOOAH on your well deserved promotion. Enjoy your time back home and maybe I'll see you when we go down to welcome Dan home (word is that it MIGHT be this summer!). So very glad to know that you are back safe and sound. Sara

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Dear Ryan,
It's late Saturday night, 3/26, almost Easter Sunday and, as well, your special homecoming day. It is with indescribable joy and pleasure that I say WELCOME HOME SGT. JULIANO!!!! Job well done. It's been a long, and exceedingly tough haul for you guys, you've lost a dear friend in Zach, but, although he isn't there with the rest of you guys, be assured, he is there in spirit and he is thrilled you've come home safely. You've paid a price for us for which we can never repay you, but rest assured you have been kept close in our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers daily, you are appreciated and we are so grateful for all you've done. The debt may never be repaid, but it will never be forgotten. Ryan.......I am so happy you are coming home and that you are safe. I'm happy for you, for your wonderful mom and for your entire family. Get some much needed rest and relaxation and get home to your mom as soon as you can.....she needs to see you and give you lots of hugs that are way overdue! GOD BLESS YOU & WELCOME HOME!!!!! With much love and so much appreciation. Jane Starliper Very Proud Mom of SGT Douglas Starliper, 1/319 AFAR, 82nd Airborne .. All The Way!

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Dear Ryan, I am thrilled beyond words that you are back home safe and sound! You have performed a great service for your country, once again. When your country called out in need, you answered without hesitation. You have sacrificed and dealt with loss and still you continue to push ahead. You are a true hero in my book and deserving of all of our gratitude. Take care of yourself, enjoying being home, and give your Mom, Dad, David, and Nina a big hug when you see them. Sue Humble (Aunt Sue) Byhalia, Ms.
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For Ryan, Thank you so much for all that you have done. I am glad you are safe and home. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart, you are truly a HERO!! Lisa (Dickess) Shivel, Anchorage, Alaska

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Ryan,... Thank You! Please know that, that you are greatly appreciated for your courage and sacrifices. Welcome back home you are my hero. I will keep my flag at home raised until all your friends and mine are home. Thank you for your service. God Bless You! Mrs.Gail Wolff, Garrettsville, Ohio

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hi my name is renee mcclendon i am in chino,california i would like to thank ryan for all that he has done and wish him and his family a happy easter

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Dear Ryan, Thank you so much for the comittment and service you have offered to your country! I am grateful for the women and men- like yourself- who have selflessly sacrificed their families, lives, and time to protect millions of people they do not even know! There are so many who will never utter a word of thanks. Please know that I will personally stand for all of them in my gratitude. Ryan, I look forward to a day when I will not hear of the different colors of alert. When I will not monitor every word that comes out of my mouth in an airport. When I will not cringe when an airplane flows low over my home in the middle of the night. Ryan, thank you again for your dedication! It is people like you who keep people like me safe! Welcome back home and may God provide His abundant blessings on you and your family!
Fondly, Jennifer Grib, Bear, DE

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Hey there Hero..... WELCOME HOME!!!! I just wanted to thank you for your service to this country. Our family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers always as you return home to your family and friends. We are soo grateful for all you have done. A true American Hero... May God Bless you Always.. Sleep with the Angels, Mischelle Andrade, Proud Angel 2 Dawn, Brian,Russell, Darren, Marshall, Edward, Leon, Gary & Gabriel.
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WELCOME HOME RYAN...................... My name is Tina Monahan and I am from Senoia, GA. I wanted to thank you so much for every thing you do for our country and our freedom. I am glad you are home hero. It's great to have you back. We love you and thank you. God Bless!

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WELCOME HOME Ryan!!! Thank you for all you have done!! It is Soldier's like you, who make us all so proud to be an American!!! God bless you always!!! Shelly Boggs, Dry Run, Pennsylvania

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Welcome home Ryan. It's good to hear you are finally home where you can now spend time with your family and friends. Thank you for defending our country and protecting our freedoms. God Bless. Dragon (Sam),
Michigan City IN

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Dear SGT Juliano, WELCOME HOME!!! And congratulations on your promotion to SGT. Well deserved. My name is Laurie Anderson and I live in Manahawkin, NJ. I know your mom from SoldierMoms. I just wanted to let you know I am so glad you are home and I can only imagine how excited your mom and the rest of your family are to see you back.. Thank you for your dedicated service and bravery. You are truly an inspiration to all Americans and I am proud to say I have the honor of thanking one of America's finest heroes. From my family, thank you for all that you do and have done to protect us. And again... WELCOME HOME!! Hugs

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Dear Ryan, Welcome Home!!! I know you don't know me but that doesn't matter. You're home and that's the best news I could have heard all day. Many hugs, Diane Hennessey, Conifer, Colorado
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As you can see, you are well loved by our team. Your mom has been an important part of our team and she has kept us updated on your status. There are many others who would have loved to participate, but I have quite a few on vacation at this time.

Once again Sgt. Ryan Juliano, thank you so very much for everything that you have done on behalf of a very grateful nation. You are an amazing hero, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dedication.

Welcome home. Get some much deserved rest and relaxation. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

Don MacKay
Welcome Home, Sgt. Juliano, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I am USMC Fmr. PFC Burley and i ran across your site....this is a picture of me and my buddies in Kuwait...




Thanks for passing this along! Semper Fi!

AFGHANISTAN VISIT — First lady Laura Bush stands with a group of Afghan girls on hand to greet her upon her arrival in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 29, 2005. White House photo by Susan Sterner Story More Photos

In Today's News - Thursday, March 31, 2005

Quote of the Day
"The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."
-- Gaylord Nelson
JuneauEmpire.com: Associated Press
Panel: Agencies 'dead wrong' on Iraq WMDs
U.S. soldier convicted in court-martial
Americans' incomes rise solidly
Indonesia death toll lower than thought
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq
Romania: Video shows abducted journalists
2 suicide car bombers kill 8 in Iraq
Egypt in grips of political uncertainty
France expects vote on Sudan war crimes
Nazi graffiti sprayed on grave in Israel
Katu.com
Afghan forces seize ten tons of opium in remote drug heartland
Former Detroit and D-C school official accused of terrorist ties

The US News: Iraq News
Tape aired claiming to show hostages kidnapped in Iraq
Citizen Kidnapped In Iraq
Iraq wheat contract 'not suspended'
First Medal of Honor awarded in 10 years
U.S. Marine Killed by Mine in Western Iraq
For Iraqis, a Ritual to Savor
Gunmen Fire on Shiite Pilgrims in Iraq
Iraqi leaders confident of constitution by mid-August
In Afghanistan, Laura Bush focuses on roles of women
Yahoo! News: War with Iraq
Few Clues on Kidnappers in Romanian Hostages Video
Three Iraqis killed in bombing as Shiites celebrate religious festival
Suicide bomber kills five in Iraq
U.S. May Bring Troops Home if Violence Low
Ananova: War In Iraq
EU plans trade sanctions on US
Fox News
WMD Panel Blasts Intel
Bomb Attacks Kill 8 in Iraq
Attacks on U.S. Troops Decline
Possible American Hostage
Indonesia Revises Death Toll
Abbas Orders Crackdown
U.S. OKs Darfur Trials
British Say Darfur Toll Is 300,000

CNN
Report: Iraq intelligence 'dead wrong'
American, 3 Romanians kidnapped in Iraq
U.S. soldier convicted in shooting death of wounded Iraqi
Sumatra quake destruction worse than thought
Department of Defense
Power of Freedom Evident in Afghanistan — Story Transcript
No Change Expected at Kyrgyzstan Base — Story
Force Assessment in Iraq Due in Mid-Summer — Story

ON THE GROUND
Support Battalion Keeps Supplies Moving — Story
Afghan Officials Bid Farewell to Wolfhounds — Story
Logistics Motto: Have Pallet, Will Travel — Story
Joint Facility Extends Ordnance Robot Lives — Story

IN IRAQ
U.S. Troops, Iraqis Work to Rebuild Sadr City
Operation Happy Feet Brings Sneakers to Iraqi Kids
U.S. Soldiers Help Clean Up Iraqi Villages
Apache Copter Crews Provide Crucial Support
Texas Guard Mechanics Keep Humvees Rolling
School Doors Open Again for Iraqi Children
Engineers Work to Improve Power Production
Troops Give Four-Star Rating to Movie Armory

IN AFGHANISTAN
Coalition Efforts Benefit Kuchi Students
Afghan National Army Joins Information Age

IN KUWAIT
For Troops, Way Home Is Through Kuwait

FACE OF DEFENSE
Marine Father, Son Serve Together in Al Asad — Story

Myers: Program Highlights Resolve — Story
Rumsfeld: Nation Supports Troops

TOP NEWS
SPECIAL REPORT
Two Years in Iraq
'Gitmo' Detainee Camp

IN IRAQ
Rumsfeld Discusses Insurgency
Forces Gain Against Terrorists
Bush Cites 'Encouraging Signs'
Soldier Describes Iraq Then, Today
Iraqi Raid Nets TNT, Suspects
Abizaid: Foreign Fighters Increase
Success in Iraq - DoD Fact Sheet
Year in Review 2004 Fact Sheets (pdf)
Iraq Daily Update
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps
Weekly Progress Report (pdf)

IN AFGHANISTAN
Forces Airlift Injured Afghans
Fallen Honored; Ops Continue
Afghan Academy Opens Gates
Missing Aircraft Search Continues
Defense Leaders' Views on Afghanistan
Enduring Freedom Marks 3 Years
Afghanistan Daily Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Hearings Determine Threat Status
'Gitmo' Detainees to Be Released
Long-Range Plans Vital
Kearsarge Strike Group Deploys
Technology: Key to Effectiveness
Bush: Must Remember Troops
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

MILITARY NEWS
Myers Talks Leadership to Cadets
Law Helps Troops With Credit Woes
National Guard, Reserve Update

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualty — Story
Today in History
1282 - The great massacre of the French in Sicily ends.
1492 - In Spain, a royal edict is issued by Catholic rulers, declaring that all Jews who refuse to convert to Christianity will be expelled.
1547 - In France, King Francis dies, and is succeeded by his son Henry II.
1653 - In the Battle of Leghorn, the Dutch destroy the British squadron. Their commander, Van Gelen, is mortally wounded.
1776 - Abigail Adams writes to her husband, John, that women are "determined to foment a rebellion" if they are not guaranteed their rights by the Declaration of Independence.
1779 - Russia and Turkey sign a treaty, promising to take no military action in the Crimea.
1790 - In Paris, Robespierre is elected president of the Jacobin Club.
1849 - In the Battle of Brescia, Austrians put down an Italian revolt.
1854 - In Tokyo, Commodore Perry, representing the U.S., signs the Treaty of Kanagawa with the Japanese, opening the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate, and permitting the establishment of a U.S. consulate.
1862 - Skirmishing between Rebels and the Union forces takes place at Island 10 on the Mississippi River.
1866 - The Spanish fleet bombards the undefended city of Valparaiso, destroying it.
1889 - The Eiffel Tower officially opens as part of the Exhibition of 1889.
1916 - General John Pershing and his forces rout Pancho Villa's army in Mexico.
1917 - The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.
1918 - For the first time, Daylight Savings Time goes into effect in the U.S.
1921 - Great Britain declares a state of emergency because of a strike by coal miners.
1933 - In an attempt to counter severe unemployment, Congress authorizes the Civilian Conservation Corps .
1939 - Britain and France agree to support Poland if Germany threatens to invade.
1940 - The German auxiliary cruiser Atlantis sets off on its mission to sink Allied merchant ships.
1941 - Germany begins a counter-offensive in North Africa.
1945 - The United States and Britain bar a Soviet-supported Polish provisional delegation from entering the U.N. meeting.
1948 - The Soviet Union begins controlling Western trains headed toward Berlin.
1949 - Winston Churchill declares that the atomic bomb was the only thing that prevented a Soviet takeover of Europe.
1954 - The siege of Dien Bien Phu, the last French outpost in Vietnam, begins.
1959 - The Dalai Lama, fleeing Chinese retribution after a Tibetan uprising, crosses the border into India, and is granted political asylum.
1960 - The South African government declares a state of emergency after demonstrations lead to more than 50 deaths.
1966 - Anti-war demonstrators, estimated at more than 200,000, march in New York City.
1967 - President Johnson signs the Consular Treaty, the first bi-lateral pact with the Soviet Union since the Bolshevik Revolution.
1970 - In Vietnam, U.S. forces down a MIG-21, the first since September 1968.
1991 - Albania has its first multi-party election in 50 years.
1991 - The Warsaw Pact military alliance between the Soviet Union and its eastern European satellites ends after 36 years. This was taken in the west as a sign that the Soviet Union was losing control, and the Cold War was headed for an end.
1994 - The U.S. withdraws its troops from Somalia.

Birthdays
1948 - Al Gore, Vice President to President Clinton.

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