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Dear Hero: Letter to the Soldier

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  • By Aliki Pappas
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I've been keeping up with the progress of our nation and world; despite the controversy surrounding your presence in the midst of the turmoil in the Middle East, thank you. I thank you on behalf of my liberty, dear Soldier. 

I wake up every morning to a free and prosperous nation that supplies me with both the opportunity and possibility I need to dream and come close to achieving dreams, and because of what? Because of your time, courage and efforts provided to me and each and every individual who lives and breathes air of freedom. I thank you, Soldier, because it is you that paves the path for America's future. 

Regardless of the righteousness in the reason you and your comrades have for fighting, you are fighting. Others may not know the exact justification for your presence there, but you are indeed present there. And we remain here, behind the walls of security, in the shelter of the superpower of the world, safe and free, while you struggle for us. 

I do not care if your reason is right or wrong. I care that you are jeopardizing your life and the life of the family and ties you left here solely for the prosperity of my little brother, me and the future of this world. That is what is important to me, the fact that you are giving your life for this nation. 

And what drives you to do so, my Soldier? Why is it that you endanger your existence for people who you share no immediate bond with and who might even so resent your cause? I have found this answer, Soldier, because I have spoken to you indirectly through a dream. Your answer held an impact that will remain in my memory for eternity. You answered me with your intended goal: "I fight by choice; I fight today for the freedom of tomorrow; I fight for the lives of those who have not lived yet." 

This response, my Soldier, gave me comfort despite the danger you are expected to face because no matter the outcome, I know that you will live on. Your bravery, my Soldier, will prevail forever. Regardless of the fate that is destined to you, you have a future in the hearts of the future. And because of your eternal existence in both memory and appreciation, I am not scared for you, my hero. I am not scared because you and your courage have shown me not to be. 

I do not keep up with specific parts of the progress of the "War in Iraq" anymore, my Soldier. I do not keep up with the nonsense-stating statistics, judgments and misconceptions of whether or not we are victorious. I do not keep up with the goals the public says you are fighting for. Why? Because, my Soldier, I'd rather live. I would rather live the life you are fighting for. I will not fall under the suppression that the public corrupts your cause with. I know what is important to me; I know that you are giving your life for the freedom of mine. And in my heart, your goal, my hero, is already achieved. 

Immortally Yours,
Aliki

Aliki Pappas, daughter of Lt. Col. Zannis Pappas, 90th Operations Support Squadron, is a high school senior in Springfield, Va. She was inspired to write this letter for her school newspaper by her sister, a corporal in the Marines currently stationed in Iraq.