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Once in a while you come across a “feel good” story that collapses boundaries and divides. A story so powerful or uplifting that it instantly unites the human spirit in a collective purpose.  Sometimes it is a story of a monumental feat or accomplishment - which humbles us with a sense of awe.  Sometimes it is a complex story about human struggle and indignity, which incenses us enough to rise up in the collective to overcome.  And sometimes … sometimes it is a simple heartfelt tale, about a common everyday American hero serving in Afghanistan, who is missed by a wife and two daughters. Missed enough to make her do something extraordinary.  That’s what this story is about.

Michelle Leonard, military wife.  Mother to Alexia and Haley.  A virtual stranger until a mutual friend introduced us to her story, and her mission. It’s simple.  Really.  And it’s moving.  And YOU are invited to become part of it.

Dan Leonard is in a year long deployment to Afghanistan.  And he is about to celebrate his 35th birthday.  There will be no birthday cake for Dan.  No “over the hill” surprise party with friends and family.  No balloons.. no steak dinner at the OutBack….and no waking up to morning kisses from the girls he loves more than anything in the world.

No.  Dan is busy this year – in the war-torn terrain of Afghanistan.  Busy fighting Taliban and insurgents for the things we take for granted everyday.  Like the freedom to come and go.  Like the right to speak freely, to prosper, to develop our land, to educate our people, to live life on our terms… and yes, to blow out birthday candles on a homemade cake.

They make huge sacrifices.  Everyday.  Not just the soldiers.  But the wives, and husbands, and children who support our troops from the home front.  Sacrifices that most of us will  never be called upon to make.  But we’ll enjoy the freedoms and liberties anyway, thank you very much.

The sad news is… this is an old story.  We’ve heard it before.  We get it.  The troops fight for us.  They sacrifice their lives.  We hate it.  We honor them.  And we don’t know what to do about it.

The truth is, we can’t solve this or fix this.  But we CAN do something to lift the spirits of a soldier.  One soldier in particular.

Michelle, Alexia and Haley have an idea.  It’s dubbed “Operation Birthday Mail”. They want us to send their husband / father, Dan Leonard a surprise birthday card.  That’s it.  Well, 3500 of us to be exact.  In other words, she needs us to create a FLOOD of birthday wishes to one very deserving American hero.  You can read about ”Operation Birthday Mail” here:

http://operationbirthdaymail.blogspot.com/

Dan’s birthday is October 1st.  Your card needs to be postmarked by September 22nd.   The mailing address is in Michelle’s blog post above.

John and I have been sharing Operation Birthday Mail with our family and friends.  As I am writing this, over 100 of our close contacts have sent Dan (a complete stranger) a birthday card.   We are just blown away!!  And we will be personally thanking each of them for their kindness and their willingness to step up to the plate when it counted.  Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Friends are rallying other friends and spreading the word for Michelle.  Like teacher Lisa Oldsmoboyle, who made it a class project and got 125 students to make a card.  This is a teacher who gets it.  Who understands the power of a simple ripple.  And her students who expanded that ripple to a wave. Their package has been sent.  Goosebumps.

And Tabitha Bys, a family member, who created a six foot long banner and got over 30 signatures for Dan.  Wow!  Plus she got 9 of her closest friends to do the same. A young granddaughter of a war veteran.  So much for the myth of teenage apathy.

And Nina Ricci, Karen Kocik, Shalee Youngblood, Amy Lee Jackson, Danielle Aymar Scharett, Sandra & Jack Leonard, Mike Malachefski, Adele McGinn Renee, Mary Holmstrom, Gil Gonzalez, and a hundred others…who we LOVE for their friendship, and for getting involved.

Which just goes to show… people… when asked… will rally.

So we are asking.  Please Please get involved.  Please send a card.  Please send a wave of support to Dan, Michelle, Alexia and Haley.

Because they matter.  Because this matters.

There is still time for you to send a card.  Will you?

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Update! Dan’s Leonards birthday cards are pouring in.  Here is a photo of Dan Leonard holding his first delivery…. close to 200 cards!  Wow!

And here is the Birthday Banner made by Tabitha Bys! How incredible!

It’s not too late to send your Birthday greeting to Dan…. and lift the hearts of one very deserving American military family. Isn’t it amazing what one simple act of kindness can do? : ))

Thank you to all who have participated!!  xo