Dear Daddy: 6-Year-Old Reads Poem to Her Dad in Afghanistan

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ It went far beyond "a Kodak Moment" at Monday's meeting of the Du Quoin City Council as 6-year-old Kaylee Stanhouse, daughter of John and Mary Stanhouse of Du Quoin opened the night by reading a poem to her dad in Afghanistan.

Kaylee is a first grader, and her father would be proud of the courage it took to stand in front of the 60 people attending the meeting.

It was part of a special ceremony where Daisy girl scouts received their red badges for courage. With a little help from city attorney Aaron Atkins, Kaylee steadied herself on a chair and read these lines.

"My daddy has gone to war. To a country I can't say, but I know it's far. My daddy is a citizen soldier they say. What does that mean? I guess I'll ask today. My daddy told me to be strong and good. I said "yes," but I must have misunderstood. My daddy left me an Army bear to hug and kiss, but it is his hugs that I am starting to miss. My daddy said to watch out for my mommy. She's being awfully strong--but I am no dummy. My daddy was sent a box today. The post lady said I will send this box of love on his way. My daddy will be happy to know. That I wrote this for him 'cause I miss him so. My daddy is watched by God each and every day because each night I get on my knees and pray."

John is expected to serve there for the next 12-15 months alongside dozens of men and women from across Southern Illinois.