Rapunzel?? Her account is gone.Ive been gone for awhile.

There's a thread about it in Well Wishes...

how did you son ever get...

I think .....in Sacramento.

My son is much better. A scar for sure. He is working out everyday and looks so buff.

I have a paper clipping about what his wife di. I will post it here. It made me cry. I miss him so much.


Husband's Wish Inspires 'Battalion' Baking Effort

BY CAREY HEAD

News Lifestyles Editor

Ponca Citians are a generous bunch. Operation Pioneer Spirit and Operation Not Forgotten are two local efforts to comfort soldiers with area ties while they defend America's freedom in two separate wars. Donations from individuals and businesses help to keep the two grassroots efforts in care package supplies and money for postage.

But there's nothing like a husband wistfully wishing across 3,000 miles for some homemade cookies to make a young wife and mother spring into action — and fearlessly draft friends and family to help.

It all began when Kelsey Wagner was let in on a little military secret from husband Jerald, a sergeant in the Army Reserves stationed in Baghdad, Iraq.

"My husband told me that the soldiers that get cookies are the envy of everyone else," Wagner recalls. "So, I told him I would send him a whole bunch of cookies — and we decided to make a day out of it."

Fellow military wife and Ponca Citian, Anna Clark, immediately signed on to help. Clark's husband Trent is a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the Navy serving as a chaplain's bodyguard on aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln currently in the Gulf of Oman. Together the ladies signed up Kelsey's mom, Gina Fredrick along with Fredrick's sister, Rene Roberts, and granddaughter, Jillian Roberts visiting from California. Jennifer Vaughan, and Tristan and Tate Burdick also joined in to help.

Foursquare Church immediately agreed to the use of their kitchen.

Food Pyramid and Ponca City Discount Foods provided the ingredients. Armed with favorite family recipes and with babies in tow, the group met earlier this week and baked up over 60 dozen cookies — more than 700 pieces — to send to their loved ones.

The husbands were the envy of their unit when the boxes arrived packed with an amazing assortment of Rice Krispie Treats, brownies, chocolate chip blondies, peanut butter cookies, lemon bars, sugar cookies, Mexican wedding cakes, snickerdoodles, chocolate peanut butter chip bites, meringues, oatmeal raisin and ranger cookies.

Kelsey relates " We sent five large boxes of cookies to my husband and two boxes to other soldiers of people I knew. We sent enough cookies to feed 70 soldiers. We Þgured eight to ten cookies per soldier.

"My husband received the boxes exactly one week ago Thursday. He had to borrow a vehicle to transport all the cookies.

"I have received letters and e-mails of support and appreciation and I definitely plan on doing it again, most likely the first part of September."

She continues, "I have had several people come up to me and say thank you... But it's really me that wants to say thank you (to everyone). Since my husband has been gone I have not had to mow my yard once. Between generous neighbors and the guys that worked with my husband it is always taken care of. Twice I've had large limbs fall from my tree and before I could even think to ask (for help) a very helpful neighbor, unprompted, had taken care of it for me."

Kelsey remembers such care beginning a few months ago when her husband was granted leave for the birth of their second child.

"When my husband was brießy home for the birth of our son, our church brought us meals for a week. I have neighbors that I have never met stop me to offer thanks and help if I ever needed it.

"The support of my family, friends, church and community has been overwhelming. I couldn't do this without their love and support. And to everyone who has helped me or just offered kind words, you make everyday I spend away from husband seem like a day well worth it."

The young wives plan another baking day in September.

Donations to assist with postage and baking supplies are welcome and may be sent to Kelsey Wagner, c/o Foursquare Church, 700 West Broadway, Ponca City, Okla., 74601. Or e-mail at kelseymariewagner@yahoo.com.


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The people have been so good at helping her get through this. I am so proud to still see the humanity that continues to exist.

**Applause!**

Isn't it a good thing for those guys? I am so proud of her. She is a good wife. He si supposed to come home either in eraly December or January. But, this is the military. Anything can change.

That is awesome Kat ... made me misty

Me too Sherrie. Every single time I read it I get this thing in my throat and teary eyed.

Hi Kat....Very nice to see YOU

That's great news about your son

Prayers Always

Rose