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Seminole Friends Prepare to Go Overseas

By Ernie Tiger
HOLLYWOOD — On Mar. 12, US Army Reserves Lt. Brandon Crull and SFC Joe Lee of A&O Platoon of Alpha Company 841st Combat Engineer Battalion stopped by to visit longtime friend President/Acting Chairman Mitchell Cypress.
They are due to be transported to their final deployment station in Fort Stuart, GA where they will travel overseas in late March.
Sergeant First Class Joe Lee has been a longtime friend of Cypress and the people of the Seminole Tribe. Lee wrote a very heartfelt letter to Cypress expressing his feelings for the Tribe, and on leaving for overseas.
“ Over the years of being around members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, it is a privilege to call them friends. I have been accepted into their homes, feasted at their tables, and socialized with them at many events.
“ As I prepare myself and the A&O Platoon of Alpha Company 841st Combat Engineer Battalion for Battle, I will keep the friendship and brotherhood of the Seminole people in my heart. I am proud to serve my country in behalf of all my friends and my family.
“ God bless you and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.”
Cypress is a U.S. Veteran who served in the United States Army in the First of the 64th Armored Division in Germany for two years before he was honorably discharged and returned to the Seminole Tribe Reservation.
Cypress was very touched by the letter and visit and wanted to express his feelings to all US Veterans and Military personnel who were going to make the journey overseas.
“ Our Tribe and our Seminole Veterans organization support our Servicemen. No matter if we go to war or not, we are behind them in their endeavor to protect and defend our country.
“ We are in a serious time now. Our friends, neighbors and relatives who are in the U.S. Armed Forces, are being sent to foreign countries and are waiting for the command to go forward into battle.
“ We have been through many wars and these brave men and women have defended our right to live within the security of a democracy. I thank them for their courage and their loyalty.”