Thanks so much to all of you for a very fun treasure hunt! With puzzle clues in hand, I went to my neighbor to get a fresh set of eyes on chapter 5, and got her hooked too! We had a great time learning all the neat facts -- and finding out just how much we already knew! We were both up until around 3 a.m. for a couple of nights in a row, obsessed with finding the answers!

From the bottom of my "Navy Wife, Navy Vet" heart,
Mimi Jackson

Through this wonderful Treasure Hunt, my 7-year-old daughter Alexandra is learning the history of this country and, at the same time, how to search the Internet for answers to questions both easy and hard. Great idea. Now, on to Chapter 4!

-- Caleb Baker

I just wanted to thank you for [creating] the treasure hunt. I just completed the grand finale, and it was so much fun! I'm a 27-year- old college graduate with a double major, but I still ended up needing my father's help on Chapter 5 ?. My husband is on active duty in the U.S. Navy, and we appreciate all you do. Thank you!

-- Kylie Polzin

I just wanted to take a moment and share how your idea has affected my family. I am a Navy Corpsman who was assigned to a Marine Infantry Battalion in Iraq for two tours. During the second tour, I found your website. My family back in the States worked on the puzzles while I did the same in Iraq. We worked together, e-mailing our answers, and [focusing on] the questions that had us stumped. The Treasure Hunt has been a great way for us to feel connected, even when we were halfway across the world.

-- HM2 Benjamin Finnell, USN

My daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeking out the answers for the Treasure Hunt. She believed that her five-year-old brother was much too young to participate, although he desperately wanted to do so. He stayed close by as my daughter and I discussed each answer. When it came to the question about "who kept notes under his hat," he jumped right in with the answer. He was so excited to be correct and to show his sister that he too could participate!

-- Lisa McGrail

I was just watching [Rachel and Kelsi on] the TODAY Show this Memorial Day. As the mother of a U.S. Marine who is stationed in Al Asad, Iraq, you touched me tremendously. God bless you all for what you have done and where your heart is. Thanks for remembering these men and women.

-- Carol

I could feel your enthusiasm [and] I was almost moved to tears. I'm a spouse and a mother of two who's trying to pursue her education, but it's been so financially difficult. My husband's been in the Army for 3 1/2 years and is on his 2nd year-long deployment to Iraq. I will be applying for this scholarship; but, honestly, just knowing that this will help so many people like me is winning enough! So thank you for recognizing the efforts of our military.

-- Alicia Martin

I LOVE HISTORY AND AM WORKING IN THE U.S. ARMY THAT TRAINS AND DEPLOYS TROOPS TO ALL THE HOT SPOTS. I'M GONE 250 DAYS OUT OF THE YEAR AND ONLY HAVE PHONE AND E-MAIL MOST OF THE TIME WITH THE FAMILY. THIS [Treasure Hunt] REALLY GAVE USE A SENSE THAT WE WERE CLOSER AND WORKING ON SOMETHING GREATER THAN JUST MARKING TIME WHEN WE COULD GET BACK TOGETHER!!!!!! THANKS, RACHEL & KELSI -- YOU ROCK!!!!!

REGARDS,
SFC CHRISTOPHER FOREMAN

I just discovered "Thanks USA" and wanted to pass along a word of thanks to the family, especially the two "brain blasters" who came up with the idea! I only wish I could portray exactly how actions such as this impact the military personnel and their families. Many times these days, gratitude such as this is not felt by the military community and the [tour of] duty begins to get quite difficult. However, just one action like this instantly reminds us all why we serve! Thank you, Rachel and Kelsi.

Sincerely, Mitchell L. Thompson
Master Sergeant, United States Air Force

I just wanted to write with a heartfelt "thank you" to the young ladies and their parents. Your activities truly exemplify the American spirit. I heard your story on the Ed Schultz radio show today and held back tears. And to your parents -- you must be immensely proud of your children. Thank you for raising caring and thoughtful children who have the courage of their convictions and are willing to work for the betterment of all.

-- Robin

I'm a Navy man and have been for 18 years. Lately I'm a recruiter, which is a very hard job in this time. And it's Americans like you who make me proud to serve our country. You two ladies keep up the good work, because it's people like you that we go in harm's way for, to preserve freedom and hope that we never have to go to war again. Take care and keep up the fight; it never gets easy

-- AD1 (AW) Craig Beal, USN

Mr. Okun -- Saw your Wall Street Journal article online, and just wanted to say THANK YOU for supporting the families of folks who are deployed forward. We who are deployed salute you! I'll pass on your information to the folks who are here at our forward location. Again, thanks -- it means a lot to us!

Most respectfully,
Colonel John Riordan, USAF
Deployed to Southwest Asia

Good day to you. My name is Samuel Hall, a Corporal in the U.S. Army. I recently read in a newspaper about your program. I can't applaud you guys enough. I'm certain you're heard it a thousand times already, but -- this is a wonderful thing you are doing. Kudos to you, who truly support the troops, and I'm proud to know you're Americans.

Sincerely,
CPL Samuel M. Hall

I received the large box with the Treasure Hunt clue books. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have all done an excellent job -- so many long hours for a great purpose. I have distributed 90% of them right into the hands of students.

Andres Becerra, UniServ Director,
NEA-New Mexico, Southeast Region

I'm a Fourth Grade teacher and my 23 students are working on the Treasure Hunt. It's a great way to sharpen their Internet search skills and expand our study of US history and geography.

-- Rocart

Sir -- I hope this note finds you well. First, I want to wish you a Happy Fathers Day! Secondly, I want to thank you for the Treasure Hunt books, which I am handing out to all of my troops and pilots who come in and have kids. This is truly incredible...

My girls should be receiving the books this week, depending on the speed of the mail from over here. I cannot tell you how much fun they will have doing the projects and puzzles inside and entering the contest on-line. Both of my daughters are attending Marshall University this fall. Caitlyn is a junior who just received her AA in Liberal Arts from Wayne Community College; her sister Emily graduated High School last week and will attend school with her sister as a freshman. I am thrilled to death that you put this contest out for families of deployed troops.

I have been deployed since the first of May so it looks like I lost out on the Scholarships for this year. May I try again next year?

I will be over here until 1 October and cannot wait to get home and see my family. I have been in the USAF for 23 years and have been married to my wonderful wife, Margee, for 22 years this September. I have deployed more times than I can count and I love my job. We do "fight the good fight" and we will not stop until we are done.

All My Hopes,
TSgt Tim McKenna
Airfield Manager
Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait