Honoring Heroes for the Holidays

As the nation prepares for the holiday season, soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will sit thousands of miles away from home.

This Christmas, one group is determined to raise troop morale by showing the nation's support and appreciation for their service.

Dear Soldier… Merry Christmas

Kelly Tunno doesn't have a loved one serving in the Middle East. But that didn't stop her from sending seasons greetings to men and women she has never met.

"It's very important that we're out here to let the troops know what we support them, that we're thinking about them everyday - especially at the holidays," Tuno said.

Watch CBN News Charlene Israel's report. Click play.

Bright eyed little ones scribbled warm wishes too and stuffed drawings they made for troops into big red Christmas stockings.

"Dear soldier," little Nora Burns wrote. "Thank you for fighting for our country. I appreciate all you do. I like 2nd grade."

Dozens from across southeastern Virginia gathered at a rally to write holiday greetings to the troops.

The holiday card collection was organized by a group called Move America Forward. the organization launched a 40-city national tour to raise morale and 100,000 holiday cards for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cards were sent from local post offices along the tour route.

"I want them to know that in my heart that their service and sacrifice is what keeps me and my family safe and free and able to go ahead and celebrate Christmas and the holiday season without fear and with freedom," card writer Joe Wiebrecky said.

Knowing Firsthand

Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson served 20 years in the air force. After spending 15 holidays away from family he knows firsthand that that it can be lonely.

"Any of us who can reach out and touch a soldier, airman or marine - it means the world to them. It really does," Patterson said.

Debra lee is a member of Honoring Heroes for the Holidays campaign. Her son, Marc Alan was the first Navy Seal killed in Iraq in august of 2006.

"Our family knows the sacrifice that's been paid," Lee said. "We know what it's like to have an empty chair at the holidays and how it feels to have a family member away. This is just a way I can put a little piece of my heart in each of these cards."

Deborah Johns also tours with the campaign. Her son is on his 4th deployment to Iraq.

"We know that with the commotion that goes on at Christmas when the silence of the night comes in and you lay your head on your pillow. You know it's only in your dreams that you're going to have your loved one home for Christmas. It's so important that people come out and bring cards and to say thank you," she said.

Organizers, like Diana Nagym, say thousands of cards poured in, exceeding their 100,000 goal.

"We have had an overwhelming of love and Christmas cards from children and communities, schools…There are just so many beautiful Christmas cards," she said.

One of the most moving greetings involved a drawing of a heart and cross.

"I just want them to know that we love them and that Jesus loves them," the artist said.

It's a message many hope comforts those serving in harms way this holiday season.

The 40-city tour just concluded in New York City, and now a delegation from Move America Forward plans to travel to Iraq to personally deliver the remaining cards to our troops.