IRAQ - Local Cat Country Radio Personality Dana Cervantes is in the middle east tonight...

She's visiting troops in Iraq And Kuwait... And bringing them thousands of letters of support.

Dana filed this report for us tonight.

One thing I've learned so far on this trip is never underestimate the power of getting a little piece of home when you're a half a world away...Even if it is from a complete stranger.

Some of the 21-thousand letters that were written by local school children were passed out to many men and women who are serving right now in Iraq.

Almost 5,000 Pensacola trained Marines are serving here as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pensacola brought fond memories to all the marines I talked to today.

They were very thankful and touched by the letters written by these kids in pensacola and Milton.

Sgt Smith Pensacola: My husbands been very busy. He's filling both roles right now. He's playing mom and dad
cooking cleaning paying bills everything he's done a wonderful job. Thank you Darren. I'll be fine don't worry. Just take care of the boys.

To most of the Marines here Thanksgiving is just another day in the desert

Specialist Luper: Hi mom.. Hi sisters. Don't give any trouble. Dad hope you're feeling better and hi baby I love you. I'm coming back home really soon can't wait to get married.

Specialist Cardona: I just wanna wish my wife, my three children a very happy Thanksgiving. Baby you're my rock. My salvation. My saviour you do everything for me and I appreciate it so much we just got to Kuwait and trust me baby I'm coming home.


You know it was a great experience being able to tour all the squadrons and see the airplanes and all the cool stuff but the best part of my day and the best part of the whole trip is that I was able to make Thanksgiving a little brighter for our troops by showing them with these letters how much they're appreciated and supported back home in Pensacola.

Those thousands of letters were written by children from *eleven Escambia County-Area Schools.Dana Cervantes Reports From Iraq