Children show 'Hoosier Cheer' for heroes

Photo By Michael Krieg | Alexa Oaidt, 8, a Junior Colts Cheerleader, proudly displays a Christmas card she made for a military service member deployed overseas on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Oaidt and her fellow Junior Colts Cheerleaders gathered at the Indiana Statehouse as part of a statewide campaign, hosted by Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, to collect and send more than 20,000 custom made cards to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES

12.24.2008

Story by Michael Krieg 

Indiana National Guard Headquarters

By Sgt. Michael B. Krieg
Indiana National Guard

INDIANAPOLIS -- As Indiana's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan continues, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman wanted troops overseas to know Indiana citizens had not forgotten them and make sure they knew how much Hoosiers appreciated their sacrifices.

"Our Soldiers and Airmen overseas always say how good and uplifting it is to know that there are people at home in Indiana who appreciate every moment that they [the troops] are over there fighting for our country," said Skillman.

With this thought in mind, Skillman initiated a statewide campaign three years ago called, "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes." It's an opportunity for anyone across the state to make, collect and send handmade Christmas cards and letters to the Lt. Governor's Office before December.

Skillman's office collected thousands of these holiday greetings and presented them to Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, and other Indiana National Guard members during a ceremony at the statehouse on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Joining in the ceremony were members Indianapolis Colts Cheerleading Squad and younger members of the Junior Colts Cheerleaders.

Skillman recognized and praised all Hoosiers who contributed to the success of this year's campaign.

"I think that this is a great education for the young people", said Skillman. "They have expressed from their heart how they feel about our service men and women."

The lieutenant governor's office received cards and letters from various individuals, organizations and groups throughout the state. Many schools, scout groups, churches, military organizations and 4-H clubs participated in the "Hoosier Cheer for Heroes" letter writing campaign.

"We do not have many Hoosier families and work places that are not affected by these deployments and it's personal to many Hoosiers," Skillman said. "This was evident in the heartfelt expressions of support we delivered today."

Even the very youngest who attended the ceremony understood the impact of the cards and letters.

"I am really thankful for all they [the troops] are doing for us," said Alexa Oaidt, 8, one of the Junior Colts Cheerleaders, whose father used to be in the military. "What he did was pretty special, and I'm really proud of my dad. He's my hero."

"There is heartfelt sentiment in every one of these messages," said Skillman. "Hoosiers understand that we are thanking these men and women for protecting our life as we know it."

• Date Taken: 12.24.2008
• Date Posted: 12.24.2008 13:21
• Story ID: 28112
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, US