Praise flows at Thank a Soldier Day event

WEST JORDAN — The day Christene Helpingstine's son returned from Iraq was one of the many days her body had felt completely numb.

She stared as soldiers came down an aircraft to find their families, who were eagerly waiting for them. She held her breath until her son Andrew, who served as a fuel truck driver in the U.S. Army for a year, exited the plane and walked down the stairs.

"I was crying as he came down," Helpingstine said. "I just felt blessed that he came home all right."

While her son was in Iraq, she sought people who were going through the same experience. She joined the Utah Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America Inc., a nonprofit organization of mothers and fathers who have or have had children in the military.

Helpingstine, who serves as the group's vice president, was at the West Jordan Armory on Saturday with other mothers, families and friends of soldiers to celebrate the third annual Thank a Soldier Day.

Thank a Soldier Day, which officially is March 19, marks the fourth year since troops entered Iraq. During the event, families were given tours of military helicopters, children had their faces painted with patriotic images and many community members came together to send the troops a message of gratitude.

"It's a humbling feeling," said National Guard Sgt. Jaclyn Smith, 28, an Apache helicopter mechanic. "It's just incredible to know that you have so many people offering their support."

Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, who spoke at the event, said showing support for the troops is a moral and ethical contract Utah residents need to make to thank soldiers.

"We are not on the front lines of combat, but we all need to be on the front lines of encouragement," Corroon said. "We have to let them know that we're here for them right now and when they come back."

Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, said the United States had the capability to support the nearly 140,000 troops already in Iraq because citizens are all part of what he called the "American religion."

Cannon said that people need to support the troops even if they may not agree with the war, which he said was "really against thugs and murderers."

"Even though the war is debatable, we should support the troops and not criticize them," Cannon said. "Especially because this war is not going to stop anytime soon."

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