An open letter to Sal Giunta:

We are so glad you are coming to Cedar Rapids again. It will give me a chance to tell a real hero how one of his brush strokes touched us personally.

We took our young grandson to the parade in your honor in Hiawatha. When the fire truck went by, you were on the other side from us. I was afraid that you might not even see Koy to wave at him. But he shouted out “Hi, Sgt. Giunta!” and you turned around. You flashed that 1,000-watt smile and called back “Well hi, Buddy.” That boy’s feet never touched the ground on our way back to the car! “He even knew my nickname, Grama!”

We’ll be there to get our book, an autograph, maybe a picture and to thank you again for being a special hero to that young boy. We’re glad that The Gazette chose your book for their Book Club. See you at Barnes and Noble.

Susy Jones

Cedar Rapids