No matter which side of the fence you sit regarding the war in Iraq, the reality is there are hundreds of thousands of

men and women serving our country there. And these soldiers will not be spending the holidays with their family and friends.

How thoughtful then, that someone took the bull by the horns and started a holiday card project which allows members of the community to give a card saying thanks to those troops.

Robin Verhey, who is the cousin of Scott Heilman, a local soldier wounded in the war and just home, is asking residents to drop a card off at any of several collection boxes, located at Nelson’s County Market, both locations of Doyle’s Hallmark, HyVee Foods and Lyons Chrysler Dodge Jeep through Dec. 19. She will then forward the cards to U.S. soldiers.

The business community has been gracious and generous in its support through monetary donations which allows Verhey to purchase cards and postage, and residents have responded with overwhelming kindness as well.

We applaud the efforts of Verhey, our community and its businesses for their support, despite where they stand on the value of the war effort.