(from associated press)
by Beth Bright
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) -- When an idea to make something that will benefit others arises, the passion and motivation that follows can be all one needs to make a difference.
When Hot Springs resident, Linda Roseberry, was approached by her sister, Ruth Gremore, about a plan to write a children's book thanking military personnel for their service, she was more than excited about the idea.
"Ruth and I grew up in a military family," Roseberry said. "Our father was career military, my husband was career military, and my sister has a son that just got out."
Gremore is a flight attendant for Delta AIRLINES and is based out of Minneapolis, and she sees service men and women on her FLIGHTS on a regular basis. On one particular flight, several men and women in uniform were mixed in with civilian families, many of which had young children with them.
"Ruth could tell the children really wanted to talk to these men and women, but you know you aren't supposed to talk to strangers," Roseberry said. "And even if they were encouraged to say something, they may not know what to say."
Having grown up with an appreciation for military service, Gremore and Roseberry began work with illustrator and fellow FLIGHT attendant Cindy Jackson on "Thank You for Your Service," a children's book putting each branch of the military in a light in which most people wouldn't think of them.
"It shows the school nurse who is also in the National Guard, and the neighbor who is in the Navy," Roseberry said. "It gives children a different perspective on our men and women in uniform and how they help in so many more ways than they may realize. And it also teaches them to say `Thank You.'"
The response to the book, which was released in September, has been overwhelming, Roseberry told The Sentinel-Record ( HTTP://BIT.LY/1H6PUOZ ).
"Delta got behind us and our book is offered in SkyMall," she said. "We have churches behind us and local teachers. People have really gotten behind the book I think because there really isn't another book out there like it."
The book features two 6-year-olds who meet people from the five branches of service as well as veterans. The children - a boy and a girl - do not have names, though all the other characters do.
"It was important to us that we didn't name the children in the book so the children reading it could place themselves in the story," she said.
In October, Roseberry, Gremore and Jackson donated copies of the book to the Gold Star Families of Minnesota for the children of immediate families of fallen soldiers.
"That was very important to us," Roseberry said. "It was easy for us to give to those families in Minnesota because Ruth and Cindy are there, but I hope that someday we can give copies of the book to Gold Star Families all over the country."
Portions of the proceeds also go to the Wounded Warrior Project, Roseberry said.
Copies of the book can be found at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, or locals may visit Roseberry at Myers Supply on Third Street - where she has worked for 30 years - where she sells copies in the front office.
"Up until now it's really been word of mouth," she said. "People are very pleased that there is finally a book for children that helps them to understand what the military does and how they can show their gratitude."
"We are not authors or illustrators, but I think when you're passionate about something, anything is possible," she said.
For Roseberry, Gremore and Jackson, teaching children how to appreciate the men and women who serve their country is what they think is most important.
"The children have been the key for a lot of our success," Roseberry said. "We want to reach every child in America and teach them with this book, and if I have to do that by going to churches and schools then that is so much more important than the sales."
"I just want children to know and be thankful that these people come from their families and their neighborhoods," she said.
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