Print 08/07/21 - by Steven Winslow
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| | Dam thats a long scroll and alot of Troops!
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| | The scroll headed out to Afghanistan
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| | Geirge collecting signatures at the Spring VFW Event.
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I received the following update on the Scrolls for Troops project from George Jackson...
STEVE,
I THANK YOU - AND ALL THOSE WHO WROTE TO BRITISH TROOPS IN IRAQ. I RECEIVED THE E-MAIL THAT I'M FORWARDING EARLY THIS MORNING. THE NEW SCROLL FOR BRITISH TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN IS GROWING FAST. SO ARE THE OTHER TWO SCROLLS, ONE FOR U.S. MARINES IN AFGHANISTAN, AND ONE FOR U.S. ARMY TROOPS, ALSO IN AFGHANISTAN.
GEORGE.
GEORGE JACKSON
AMERICAN CORNER, MARYLAND
Begin forwarded message:
From: TELIC-DIV HQ-J1-J4 SO2 XXXXXX@mod.uk
Date: August 23, 2006 1:55:56 AM EDT
To: XXXXX@intercom.net
Subject: Scroll of Thanks to British Forces in Iraq
Dear Mr Jackson
Enclosed please find photo and press release recording the official arrival of your scroll.
Clive Rolfe
CF ROLFE
Maj AGC(SPS)SO2 J1 OPS
HQ MND (SE)
And here is the Press Release from the British Troops In Afghanistan:
MND (SE) PRESS RELEASE
22 AUGUST 2006
THE U.S. GOES TO GREAT LENGTHS TO THANK OUR TROOPS
SCROLL ON! An American has completed a 303-foot scroll packed with messages thanking British troops for being their best friends in the war on terror.
Fellow Americans were eager to sign George Jackson’s mammoth reel proclaiming such thoughts as “It’s about time we thanked the British”.
But this was no new venture for patriotic George and his wife Shirley who have reeled off 150 such scrolls in the past 11 years. They have been sent to American troops serving in far-flung places as a morale booster to assure them they are supported by the folk back home.
George decided to start at the top and contacted Buckingham Palace about the scroll for the British. Within 12 days he was thrilled to receive a letter back from HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace to his home – appropriately called American Corner, Maryland – offering him a suitable address for the scroll.
The massive missive was then routed through to The Headquarters of Multi-National Division South-East at Basrah, Iraq, the area where most of the British troops operate.
“It shows remarkable generosity from the people of Maryland and terrific solidarity from a great ally. It is very much appreciated,” said Major General Richard Shirreff CBE, The General Officer Commanding Multi-National Division South-East.
“I have always wanted to do a scroll for British Troops ever since 2001 when I saw that the first (as always) country to offer to help our country was the British. Your brave boys have stayed the course,” said George.
“When I begin a “scroll-drive” I set a finish date. Your scroll began at a strawberry festival on May 28 at Ridgeley Maryland and finished during the first week of July at Easton, Maryland.
“I take them to large events or set up in shopping-malls and even a baseball game,” explained George.
Although the collections are all in Maryland many visitors from around the US are also only too keen to show their support. Both the Governor of Maryland and his Deputy have happily added their messages to the epic scroll.
“I did my first scroll for US Troops deployed to Bosnia in 1995. I handed the scroll to Brigadier General Mike Boots on December 14, who handed to a Captain and simply said ‘Bosnia tonight’. I knew there would be smiles on the faces of those far from home that Christmas.” Said George.
ENDS
All I can say is... AWESOME WORK GEORGE! George will be at the Sept 30th WSW Breast Cancer Awareness Event at the Federalsburg VFW. Be sure to stop by, say hello and get your thouoghts and well wishes on the current scrolls that will be headed out to Afghanastan and Iraq in the near future!
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