We salute you!Today The Evening Star is urging you to send messages of support to our heroes at this festive time.

SUFFOLK: We salute you!

Today The Evening Star is urging you to send messages of support to our heroes at this festive time.

With just three days to go until Christmas Day, spare a thought for the brave soldiers who are away from their families and risking their lives for their country by fighting on the front line in Afghanistan.

Today The Evening Star is dedicating a section of our website to allow family, friends and complete strangers to wish troops serving abroad a “Happy Christmas” and reminding them we are behind them.

The Evening Star's editor Nigel Pickover is encouraging people to get online and send messages to boost the morale of our serving troops.

He said: “It is so important at this time of the year, when everything is about family and friends, that we don't forget our boys and girls fighting for our country. Your messages can make a real difference. This is a brilliant campaign and it is really important we all send our messages to our servicemen and women this Christmas.

“At this difficult time, let them know the huge sacrifices they are making are appreciated by us all.”

Currently there are more than 1,000 troops from our region in Afghanistan, with around 700 Suffolk-based servicemen and women among them.

Senior army officers and politicians have today backed The Evening Star's campaign to support the troops highlighting the significant impact messages have on serving soldiers.

Captain Adey Penn, of 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, said: “At this time of year, messages from home are very important for those serving overseas and far from loved ones.

“The Vikings are a local regiment with many links to Suffolk, as we not only recruit from the area but our regimental headquarters is in Bury St Edmunds.

“It means a huge amount for the soldiers to know that the people of Suffolk are thinking about them and I thank the people of the county for consistently offering that unwavering support.”

Colonel David Turner, Commander of Wattisham Flying Station, added: “Troops from Wattisham are permanently based in Afghanistan as they operate the battle-winning Apache helicopter. It provides great comfort and strength to those air crew and ground crew to know that the time they spend away from home is not forgotten by those back in Suffolk.

“We receive huge support all year round from the local community and that support is even more significant and welcome at Christmas when those serving overseas are away from their friends and family.”

Minister for the Armed Forces, Bill Rammell MP, added his support, saying: “I am delighted that so many members of the public are keen to show their support for our Armed Forces this Christmas. I know how much it means to our brave men and women serving overseas.”

To leave your messages of support visit www.eveningstar.co.uk, click on Heroes and leave your message. Soldiers based in Afghanistan can then log on to the website to receive their messages in time for Christmas.

Do you have a loved one away in the forces this Christmas? Let us know. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

The 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, whose regimental headquarters are in Bury St Edmunds, 663 Squadron 3 Army Air Corps based at Wattisham, the 7th Battalion The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, 27 Squadron from RAF Honnington, the1st Royal Tank Regiment, also based at RAF Honnington, and the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment, the reservists are currently serving in the warzone.