Dear Weston,

It is not a slight thing to send your baby brother to war, and while you may always be my baby brother, you, most definitely are no longer a baby. You are a stoic, brave man and I'm so proud of you. I think you are noble! And while I don't always trust those who lead this country, I trust in you. I believe in you. I think you will fight many battles in Iraq over the next year. Some will be missions you have trained for, others will be battles with yourself, but all will be invitations to transition you into the highest calling of yourself. I feel confident you will return home. You will come home changed, and that change will not break you. It will develop you fully. You will experience things you've never experienced before. You will know things you wish you never knew, but you will also find beauty in some of the most unexpected places. I wish you courage, strength, peace, bravery, wisdom, intuition, confidence, and the gift of feeling God near when you need him most. All virtues which you already posses, but may they be cultivated more deeply. May the depth of your character, your experience, and your compassion become rich deposits back into the lives of those you love and the communities you serve when you return home. We will all benefit from the beautiful story that is your life! Thank you for choosing to defend our country. Thank you that my baby girls get to sleep snug in their beds because you defend them. As the True boys would say, "Live life, taste death!" Come home safely. Don't get into too much trouble. Think with your head (you know which one), better yet think with your heart. Protect your heart, but don't let it callous. Kick some ass! Show 'em what your made of! When you think about your family that loves you, may you feel the comfort of home. And from the bottom of my heart, "THANK YOU"! God bless you, and keep you. I love you, man!