To all men/women in the Armed Services:

My deepest wishes go out to all of you for fighting for this wonderful country. I hope that you all stay safe and hopefully this war will not last long. God bless you all and thank you.

Amen, and Amen.

Just a thought: Perhpas we could recognize some of Kansas' former wrestlers that are now fighting for our country in this thread.

We have at least two kids who will be wrestling this weekend without their fathers present because they are protecting the freedoms of our country in Iraq. On any other weekend those fathers would be there without exception. Two of our boys are Justin Menges and Robbie Bousquet, I have the privilege and honor of helping coach these young men. I know that if their dads have the opportunity to access the internet they check out the forum and appreciate the fact that they are in our prayers. I am also sure that others have loved ones who are in the service that are checking out the forum for results and information. Remember that the courage that some of these young wrestlers exhibit when wrestling is not just on the mat but in life. To the mothers and in some cases fathers or others who are carrying the weight at home now, hang in there we love you and are available to help. To Ronnie and Mike, thanks for your willingness to offer the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, we thank you and appreciate all you are doing for our country, and we are helping look out for your boys. To all others lets make a conscious decision to pray for our troops and their families that have been left behind. If you know of any young men or women who have loved ones serving, give them a pat on the back and congratulate them for their heart. Remember to also respect them though, especially the younger ones to be careful about bringing up the fact that their fathers are away from home now. Life is hard for many of those families and we should be respectful enough to not make it harder. If you do see the parents though, definitely remind them of your gratitude. The sacrifice of the soldier is not the only sacrifice being offered. Children are without parents and parents are without loved ones. God Bless our troops, their families and our Great Nation.

Burlington High School currently has 5 of our former wrestlers and managers that are serving our country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are:
Shiloh Hawkesworth (171# State Qualifer, Class of 2001, Army Unit in Kuwait)
Amanda Hoyt (Manager, Class of 2001, Army Reserve Special Transport Unit in Kuwait)
Tyler Sibley (275# Wrestler, Class of 2000, Marine Corp, currently in Europe)
Chris Smith (125# Wrestler, Class of 2001, Army Unit just called to the Middle East)
Chris Smither (Manager, Class of 1999, Air Force Communications in Kuwait)

These young people are all very close to me as they were part of our wrestling family through wrestling club, middle school and high school. My thoughts and prayers are with them and all of the men and women that are serving our country at home and abroad. Please keep them, their families, and our country's leaders in your prayers.

God Bless America -
Doug Vander Linden
Burlington High School
Wrestling Coach

Amen to all that's been said. Sumner Academy has some people to be recognized that are in the ARMY but have not been called up currently. Emmett Smith (3 year, '03 wrestler) and Christian Osuna (4 year, '02 wrestler). Best wishes to them and their families, and to all the wrestlers/managers/coaches/etc., and all in uniform. We're on your side. One LOVE

Travis Eichelberger, Atchison High 2000 Grad is a U.S. Marine. I just found out today that he was badly injured in combat. Keep him and his family in your thoughts.
Semper Fi,
Tyson Scott

Phillip Hinderliter is in Iraq currently, he was 2nd in the state in 1993 from Silver Lake. I am sure glad he is on our team! He is one of the toughest most disciplined I have ever coached!
Thanks to all Vets! Keep up the support fellas!

Circle High School 2001 graduate Kayne Shum is serving with the US Marine Corp and is stationed in Persion Gulf.

Heath Beesley, Quinter "01", 6th & 3rd in state and member of Northwestern College in Iowa wrestling team was activated in January and is in the Gulf area.

Just saw on the news that Eichelberger is back in the states to undergoe surgery for internal injuries but is stable now. Tough kid to get run over by an Abrahms and live through it he is in our prayers as is Hill and the rest of the guys over there, God protect them.

Thanks for the post, Richard. It is good to see that his father has such a positive outlook during this difficult time.