As you read this email, I am on my eighth trip to Iraq. It is always an honor to live among America’s brave defenders of freedom – our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines – who have left their families and are risking their lives to defeat the terrorists.

Recently, the wife of a young Army Captain named Ryan, who was injured in Iraq by an IED blast, causing the loss of his right arm and his left leg, wrote Freedom Alliance saying:

“We received your grant to help with our expenses and wanted to thank you so much for your support. It means so much to have a reminder of all those Americans that are thinking of our troops. Here at Walter Reed we are busy and spend more than 4 hours every day in rehab. Ryan and I are doing our best to stay positive and work hard to improve. It can only get better from here. Thanks again for supporting Ryan and our troops.”

The Freedom Alliance Support Our Troops program honors America’s brave defenders of freedom, like Ryan and thousands more, who have been wounded in the War on Terror, by providing comfort and financial assistance to them and their families.

This year, with the continued support of so many patriotic and generous Americans, Freedom Alliance has assisted hundreds of combat-wounded military heroes and their families. These photos show the many ways you can help Freedom Alliance say “Thank You” to those who have sacrificed so dearly for us.

Hardly a day goes by that Freedom Alliance doesn’t get an urgent request to help a military family “get food in the house and gas in the car” or help with airfare so a loving Mom can be with her son during multiple surgeries and rehabilitation.

So I come to you, with an urgent appeal to open your heart with your most generous contribution for Freedom Alliance’s Support Our Troops program.

And, while the need is very great here at home, we must also remember our troops on the front lines of the War on Terror. Freedom Alliance continues to send cards, letters and care packages to those on the battlefield. Having made numerous previous trips to Iraq and Afghanistan, I can tell you how much this means to these courageous men and women who are so far away from home and their families – especially now with Christmas approaching.

Freedom Alliance continues to help and comfort grieving military families whose loss is immeasurable. Your support assures these families that our fallen heroes will NEVER be forgotten, and reminds them that the fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters for whom they grieve are heroes not because of the way they died, but because of the way they lived.

The Freedom Alliance Support Our Troops program provides grants to ease the heavy financial burden of our combat-wounded, recuperating troops and their families. This assistance is gratefully accepted, as the mother of one of our injured heroes wrote us:

“My son’s injury in Iraq has been devastating for our whole family. Our son survived an IED blast and the doctors were able to save his legs and we hope that he will possibly walk again. I was at my son’s bedside for over three months and had to give up my full time job. This has hit us very hard financially. The funds that you provided are deeply appreciated. Your support: emotionally, spiritually and financially will help get us all through this difficult time.”

For many of our servicemen and women in military hospitals (and their families who are with them), we provide them with special dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as gift certificates for clothes, food, toiletries and other much-needed items. As your family gathers during this Christmas season, please help the Freedom Alliance Support Our Troops Christmas Project for America’s finest, bravest young men and women, including:

	Our combat-wounded in military hospitals;
	Our servicemen and women still fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
	Our grieving families who will have Christmas this year without their husband, son, father, wife, mother, or daughter.

Your gift will help us purchase and distribute much-needed items such as: pre-paid long-distance phone cards; gift cards for clothing, food, toiletries and restaurants; disposable cameras, DVD movies, portable DVD players, travel bags, books and magazines and other items they need.

Your generous contribution today will enable us to continue our mission now and throughout 2007. I visit these men and women every chance I get. They are the best and bravest of a new generation of Americans serving for our right to remain free. When I see them, I bring them your prayers of hope and messages of encouragement and love – reminding them that the American people will never forget the sacrifice they make.

Will you please join with me and Freedom Alliance to pay tribute to our front-line warriors and their families? May we count on you, as together we honor them and thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our country.

Will you please click here to rush your most generous tax-deductible contribution to Freedom Alliance today?

We are counting on you, my friend, to open your heart to this cause which means so much to all of us. Please keep our Brave Defenders of Freedom in your thoughts and prayers. God bless you and your family during this holiday season and thank you for your generous and faithful support.

P.S. Please join with Freedom Alliance with your tax-deductible donation and help to properly salute our heroes and provide the support they need and deserve. Thank you.