Dave Here -

Often work such as this is a rather thankless job. Every night I have to put together another comic regardless of whether or not I feel particularly funny. (A lot of our detractors would insist that happens more often than not.) This morning, however, I awoke to find an email that has made everything worthwhile. It is at once an answer to the kind of question that every webmaster asks himself "Is there anybody out there?" but perhaps more importantly it addresses the question of "Is it worth it, the stress of doing a daily comic?" I'd like to reprint his letter below in whole and as the email was forwarded to me, I don't have his address to thank personally. But thank you Robert! My cousin Matthew Grelck is overseas and I support all our boys in full.

     Hey man, I felt the urge to let you and yours know that your comments in reference to the troops overseas in the news column for #88 are appreciated.  I’m not at the tip of the spear, but I will be spending Christmas several thousand miles away from friends and family this year as part of a 6 month deployment with the United Sates Navy.  The few moments I get to myself I spend seeking lighthearted entertainment to take my mind off of the large-scale problems I face everyday, and Cinerama Delivers, but I couldn’t agree with you more about the fact that Saddam’s capture needing to be acknowledged.  And when I fall asleep at night thinking of my 3 year old son opening Christmas presents while I’m an ocean away, it helps a lot to know that my small effort to support and defend freedom of speech, thought, and artistic expression are appreciated by those whom I’m trying to protect.  That rat bastard, Saddam, not only took the lives of his own people, he took their hopes, their dreams, and their aspirations as well.  One of the many ways he accomplished this was by punishing any form of art or expression that did not serve his purpose.  I’m sure you already know all that, but what I’m getting at is this;  people like you, people who use illustration, music, poetry, prose, or whatever else to make the world a better, happier, and more fun place to inhabit, scared the hell out of him. Because he knew that art and humor, no matter how seemingly small, breeds hope, and hope is the downfall of tyranny.  The American people, together with the all the people of the coalition, have given hope back to the Iraqis and somewhere in that country is a little boy who is no longer afraid to draw.  I hope I’m around to see his comics lightening the hearts of his fellow man some day.

     I’m afraid I may be rambling now. So in an effort to be more concise I shall close by merely saying thank you for doing your part to bring happiness and hope to the world.

Sincerely,

Robert R Keech
Aviation Electrician’s Mate, 3^rd Class

Patron 45

Sigonella Sicily

I can't tell you how much this letter meant to me. God Bless All of you, God Bless America. God Bless Robert R Keech.

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