Mother:

You are the greatest gift of my life...

I don't recall the first time you held me or when I first heard your voice.

But from the first moment you held me in your arms, you made the most selfless choice...

you chose to change your busy life so that my life could begin.

You were my Shelter from the rain; on you, I could depend.

You held my hand when I was afraid and helped me to mend my first broken heart.

you bandaged my wounds, wiped my tears, and kept me from falling apart.

You've loved me without question,no matter what I did.

you shaped me into a confident adult from such an awkard kid.

Even though you're not always right beside me,

Your love is matched by no other.

And I thank God each day for his greatest gift.

Making you my mother.

_ Stacey Swayze

Signed:  Love always your Son, Frank J. Gasper

Mom, Joel & Victoria,

Hi Everyone! it has been a crazy week. I haven't had time to do anything,except sleep. Then we've only been sleeping about 3-5 hours a night! I've met alot of people here. There was 50 guys in the plattoon and no one is alike so sometimes it gets tense in here. They haven't let us  use the phone yet but I'm hoping they will let us use them in a couple of weeks.

It gets really hard to keep your cool and suck up some of the pain. Some guys just give up. we have already had 3 guys quit in the first week. Around here no matter what they tell you everything you do just do what you can but you never stop!

My favorite day at bootcamp is Sunday. It's great because it's your day and you get to go to church. After a week here I don't know why anyone wouldn't. The church gave me a bible to read while I am here.

I signed up to get the G. I bill and I qualified for the VA loan to the G.I bill cost $100.00 for 12 months. And I also go $250,000 in LIFE insurance $19.95  a month. well, it't time for bed now gotta go.

Signed Love, Frank J Gasper

p.s Tell grandma I miss her and everything is hard but I'm doing ok.

( the outside of the envelope said "Only 6 more days to go"

It was Frank's freshmen year in high school, that I remember him coming home telling me "mom, I'm coming out of my shell". And oh boy, did he, LOL! He was so friendly, he easily made friends. He always had boys over the house. He also had many girls competing for his attention! LOL he was quite the charmer. He asked me one day, why is it if you carry a girls books to her class, she right away thinks you like her... I warned him son, don't be doing that girls don't know how to handle that, LOL. He laughed. well, stay tuned and learn more about Frank.  He will never be forgotten! I miss you, Love Mom