Bay City Tribune

Prosperity Bank proudly displayed an American Flag on Friday, Oct. 23, that had been flown over Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, in their honor.

The group, which is comprised of the associates from ten Prosperity Bank branches including Bay City, sponsored the Second Supply Battalion Surgical Company at Al Taqaddum for two holiday seasons while the unit was stationed in Iraq.

The associates sent many large boxes of food, games, DVDs and more to the 105 soldiers who were stationed 46 miles west of Baghdad. They even included Christmas cards that were made by school children in Rosenberg.

To thank the associates for everything they had sent, the unit requested that the flag be flown in honor of the associates of Prosperity Bank on January 1, 2008, and presented to them with gratitude for their ongoing support.

Brent J. Rysewyk approached Linda Bemis, Prosperity Band Vice President and Rysewyk's godmother, about adopting the troop several years ago. She brought the idea to the associates of the bank who were enthusiastic about the effort.

"I'm just very proud of our associates for doing this," said Bemis.

"(These troops) had to deal with some really hard stuff over there, being a surgical unit. They were so appreciative of everything we sent. Many of them didnt receive things from their families, because their families couldn't afford it, so this made a big difference."

Two letters on display show the personal impact of the gifts the men received. "I just wanted to let you know how much this meant to me," writes Rysewyk to Bemis. "You have been a light in a dark place."

The unit is currently stationed in North Carolina. Rysewyk plans to visit Texas this summer and thank the associates and the children in person.