To the Editor:

As most of you know, we have a ministry in our county called Singing for the Soldiers, and we have made a big difference in the lives of many soldiers. I have received many letters and cards thanking the people of Polk County for their support. If anyone is ever interested in looking at these, I have kept a journal of all correspondence with the Chaplains and Soldiers, and you may call me and I will make arrangements for you to look at them.

I am writing you again, one to update you on the events that we are planning, and also to make a request. Our next big event will be Memorial Day in downtown Columbus. We are still working on getting our singers lined up for that. We are also in the planning stages for an evening with Kenna Turner West, a singer/songwriter/Dove award winner from Nashville, Tn. Kenna is willing to come and spend the evening with us to raise money and supplies for the troops. We are looking for a venue large enough to support such an event. This will probably be in sometime in June.

God has blessed me, and right now I am in remission from my cancer, and so now I can do some traveling. I am going to spend a couple of weeks with my sister Sara, and brother-in-law Chaplain Michael McCawley. Michael is going to take me to Walter Reed Hospital where he is working. I would like to take a truck load thank you cards with me.

Michael had talked with me more than a month ago about a Sgt. Major who was there at Walter Reed and he had the same cancer as I do. He was diagnosed in November of 2009. He wanted to talk with someone who had survived.

I was so excited to be able to talk with him and encourage him, but that never happened. He did not survive. I believe that God has spared my life for a reason, and that I must do everything that I can to share His love with others. I want to tell these men and women how thankful we are for everything that they have done for us. They have given up a lot so that we can remain free. &bsp;

I again would like to ask that anyone who is willing and able to write a letter, card, or our little ones can draw pictures and lets flood Walter Reed Hospital with more mail that they have ever seen.

You may drop you cards or letters off at my church, Tryon Seventh Day Adventist Church 2820 Lynn Rd., Tryon, NC&bsp; 28782.

I will be going around April 14th.

After sending out the packages from our last Singing for the Soldiers in January in Sunny View, I received several thank you for Chaplains for a Cora Byars. If anyone knows Cora or how I can contact her, please call me. I have two messages for her from Iraq.

Again, on behalf of the Singing for the Soldiers ministry, I would like to express my appreciation to all of the people who have supported us, and we are really needed now in Afghanistan. We will be letting you know closer to Memorial Day the particulars of the event, but please be praying for our event as well our soldiers.

If you would like to make a donation or have questions, please make checks payable to: Tryon SDA Church, c/o; Sherry Carney, P.O. Box 100, Mill Spring, NC&bsp; 28756 or call 828-894-3442.

Singing for the Soldiers Co-Chairman Deb Williamson, James Metcalf, Sherry Carney