Hey there. I just want to say thank you for what you are doing. Without you, and others like you, we would not be where we are today.

I want you to remember something when the times get hard, remember that you are loved. I know that sometimes it is hard to feel, that the loneliness starts to feel overwhelming, that those people who have let you down...are also beating you down, but people do love you. Just here in this blog are people who don't even know you who love you for what you do. It takes such strength and courage to join the Navy, and I know that you must have a strong character to have made it this far...so for that, congratulations.

I am a 26 year old graduate student. I'm working on my Masters of Divinity, and I am in the process to become an ordained minister. The classes are really tough, and in some ways seminary is like bootcamp...they break down everything we think we believe in order to help us rebuild it all to be stronger. Sometimes that task is so daunting I want to give up, but the world needs people like you and me. They need people who are willing to fight to end injustice in the world.

Tonight I was out with some friends watching the Dallas Mavs in the first round of the playoffs. We are playing terrible this round...and New Orleans KILLED us tonight. I don't know if you like basketball or not, but this is a beating. I sure hope things get better when they play on their home court.

Keep your chin up. You are doing something that so many of us could never imagine...and would never have the strength to do. So thank you for doing something that I could not...I appreciate it from the very depth of my soul.

~D.B.