Some of you wanted to see "all" of Derek's banner photos. I have uploaded 85 of them in photobucket. With my slow dial-up, it took me 4 days to upload! I hope you can see the pictures okay, and I hope some of your favorites are shown thanking our troops!! I should have added "Derek and all our troops", but I made that banner right before I left for CMAfest and I did it in such a rush! Next time!

Enjoy the photos! Derek should get his book of MANY photos today! I can't wait!!!!!

http://s211.photobucket.com/albums/bb265/bestamaw/

That is so cool!!!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!

Cathy, this is really neat and will probably always be very special to Derek. I would just like to add my Welcome Home and Thank you very much. You are a special person for doing this.

Just to cool,Cathy.

Thank you for the sweet words. I didn't set out to ask people to hold the banner for Derek ---- I made the banner to hold up during military tributes at the concerts. Then, things started happening, and the result was a great photo album for a young soldier.

Hey Linda - think Max would like to hold the banner?

LOL If he had 2 hand he would.

Cathy,
That is so nice. What a wonderful memory for Derek. I hope he knows how proud everyone is of him and all the young men and women serving our country. What a nice welcome home present for him. I'm sure those are memories he will never forget.

I saw Derek and presented him with his photo album. He was absolutely in awe and I thought I saw a tear or two, but that 6'4" hunk of soldier would NEVER admit that! Oh, it was awesome to watch the expression on his face when he would say, "she held the banner", and "ah man, HE held the banner." Then he laughed and said, "that banner is famous!" It was so cool to watch him! He was very proud and honored and said, "nobody else will have something like this!"

I told Derek it wasn't complete and that more photos would be added in time. I still have to print out all of the comments you guys have made. Derek felt like he was "special" tonight - and we think he is! My 7 yr-old grand-daughter told him, "Derek, you are so courageous and you are a hero". Derek choked up on that one for sure!

Mission accomplished! I'll now shut up about Derek and his photo album! (maybe)

I agree, he is a hero.

Cathy,I passed the picture site on to several of my friends and they too thought it was such a statement of love and gratitude to Derek. Some didn't know the artists who held the banner but were very impressed to say the least. Your Derek and all the other soldiers as well are all our heros.

GOD bless them ALL ----- and let's pray we can get the rest of them home safely!

Our family KNOWS we are one of the fortunate ones to get our Derek back --- in need of minor repair ---- but BACK! I pray the others will come home to their families!


Thanks Anna for passing on the site. Some of the entertainers told me, "I WISHED MORE FAMILIES WOULD DO THIS". They all loved the idea and was proud to be a part of it. I'm so glad.

AND - your comments made me tear up - AGAIN! Thanks guys!

Fantastic pictures, Cathy!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to post them for us!!!

And a heartfelt 'Welcome Home' to Derek!!! I hope he is re-couping well from his surgery!!!

Do not have concern about writing about Derek too often or too much as I can hardly wait to read more about it. So proud of our military and they look like little boys that we are sending. Just want them all back as soon as possible.
It was a really neat idea that you had and know he will cherish that and what you did for his lifetime.
Thanks to Derek and all the rest of our guys.

Lona

Cathy, Thank you for sharing all those photos. I'm sure it was an honor for each of them to participate in your scrapbook for Derek.
What a great idea.

TC