Day care flag arrives in Afghanistan

On Dec. 13, a photo of a handprint flag made by students at Zearing Child Enrichment Center was featured on the front page of the Bureau County Republican. Zearing student Ethan Thompson’s father is serving in the military there, and the students made the flag to send to him in Afghanistan. Pictured with Adam (center) and the flag are Eric Fisher (left) from Waynesville, Mo., and Brett Housley (right) of Davenport, Iowa. Following is the letter Ethan’s father, Adam Thompson, wrote to the BCR:

     I am currently over in Afghanistan. I would like to take this time to say thank you! I thank you for running the picture of my son, Ethan, and his class at the day care center on Dec. 13. His class had made me a flag out of their handprints. There are so many things you miss out of life being so far away. For example, seeing and hearing the excitement that your children have about things going on in their lives. Ethan was so excited about making me the flag and even more excited to see that you had printed it in the paper. When I received a copy of the paper in the mail along with the flag, let’s just say it has been a long time since I have smiled so much; in turn, it was one of the best days I have had since I have been over here. Everyone calls the soldiers the heroes, but the truth is that it is the family that keeps us happy and going. Our biggest motivation is that day when we are home again to see their faces which should be about mid to late March. The families are the ones that are the true heroes; you see, I chose the life I live, and they support it while I was in Iraq and now that I am in Afghanistan ... Again, thank you for bringing smiles to not only my face, but to Ethan’s most of all.

Thank you from Afghanistan,

Adam Thompson (Photo contributed)