Had fun onOperationVacation trip to Glenwood

Originally addressed to Operation Vacation

The Cavanaugh family would like to thank you for your efforts during our stay in Glenwood Springs for Operation Vacation during April 2008. Every sponsor for the cause was helpful and invited us in as a member of the Glenwood Springs family. We were able to see and do many things but cannot wait to return to accomplish more. This was our first vacation for the entire family since my return from Afghanistan. Your organization has positively impacted our family and made my service to the United States Army all the more worthwhile. It is amazing to see the overwhelming support that many people have demonstrated for service members and their families. We thank you for your support and for being an outstanding American.

We would also like to thank the following Operation Vacation sponsors: Kevin and James from the Colorado Mountain Express; Glenwood Hot Springs; Village Inn; Berthod dealership, for the use of a vehicle; the Sunlight Ski Lodge and for Victor with his patience trying to teach me to ski; Fin's Grille & Raw Bar; the Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co.; Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce; Roger at the Glenwood Springs Airport, for his outstanding plane ride and tour of Glenwood Springs and the surrounding community; Charlene at the Mountain Man Nut and Fruit Co.; the Glenwood Springs Post Independent; The Photographer; Juicy Lucy's Steakhouse; Angela K. Parkison, for showing us the rich history of Glenwood Springs; the owner of the log cabin in No Name; and all the other sponsors of Operation Vacation.

The Cavanaugh family: Charles, Shawnte, Cierra, Cade and CyleeColorado Springs area

Citizenship Day was a great example of civic engagement

On behalf of the Community Integration Initiative, Congregations and Schools Empowered, Ya Es Hora, and the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, I must give a huge thank-you to the more than 40 volunteers who gave up most of a beautiful Saturday this last weekend to help 87 people begin the process of becoming U.S. citizens. You made this event momentous - the largest ever on the Western Slope, and part of a nationwide effort that helped thousands of people change their lives. Your hard work made each person that came through feel very special, and it was a great example of the civic engagement that makes this such a great community.

I also want to thank St. Stephen's Church for supporting this event by allowing us to use its basement, tables and chairs; La Tribuna for donating advertisements; Leavenworth & Karp for donating supplies and looking the other way when I spent too much of my time making this event happen; Sherry A. Caloia LLC for donating supplies; Kaufman & Kaufman LLC for donating supplies and supporting this event; Lewan & Associates for loaning us the copier; and Mi Casita Real Estate for donating supplies.

Jennifer M. Smith Esq.Glenwood Springs