The American Soldier

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Emelie Vandenberg, Blue Star Family

Hello Douglas,

Thank you so much for bringing a group this powerful and compelling stories to our stage in New Hampshire.  Your piece was particularly moving to me; it reminds me of my family, especially those we've lost.  I come from a military family.  Everyone has served except my parents and most of them are career soldiers.  But everyone, and I mean everyone in our family has served in every American war except the War of 1812 so it was particularly beautiful and emotional to hear stories from all eras, from all those in my past.  

These stories particularly reminded me of my grandfather who passed away 8 years ago.  A career Air Force intelligence officer, he could never talk about his service because it was classified.  I never got to hear what his story was.  But I felt his presence during your performance particularly when you enact a character's visit to the Vietnam War Memorial. 

I miss him terribly.  Keep it up as long as you can.  I know Pepaw would have wanted to see it.

Thanks you and my sincerest best wishes!!

Emelie Vandenberg, Blue Star Family