But in the midst of this, we realize that many Americans are sacrificing daily so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms and blessings of this way of life.

With this in mind, we decided to thank and honor our customers in a different way this Christmas. We hope you understand how much we appreciate your business in 2004. We feel it appropriate to show it by demonstrating our appreciation of local men and women who will be fighting in Iraq in just a few short weeks. You know many of these soldiers - some are you neighbors, some are your friends, and some may even be part of your family. Continue to keep these young men and women in your prayers.

Glasgow's 1st Battallion 623rd Field Artillery National Guard Unit is temporarily stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey training for deployment to Iraq sometime after the first of the year. We recently learned that these soldiers will receive a 10 day pass for the holidays. It will be their last chance to visit home and family before their deployment overseas. If any of these soldiers want to fly, however, they will have to pay for their own travel expense. The unit call-up and deployment has already put most of these soldiers and their families in financial straits, so the money for plane tickets home is hard to come by for most.

That is why Madison-Smith has teamed up with others in the Glasgow community to help the 623rd soldiers come home for Christmas before they head overseas. A donation was mde on behalf of all Madison-Smith customers to the Glasgow 623rd Family Support Group to provide air fare for these local men and women who are answering the call of duty.
Dale Smith, President, Madison Smith.