From left, specialist Jeff Srisourath accepts a box of thank-you cards
from Texas Folklife Festival volunteer Marita Harris and festival
director JoAnn Andera.

Folklife fest volunteers take thank-yous to soldiers

By James Benavides
Public Affairs Specialist

(July 25, 2007)-- Texas Folklife Festival Director JoAnn Andera , volunteer coordinator Denise Villarreal and volunteer Marita Enriquez-Harris recently delivered 103 get-well cards and 333 thank-you cards to soldiers recuperating at the Powless Guest House at Brooke Army Medical Center.

During the June 8-10 festival, Harris sponsored a crafts area at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures where young children and their parents could create the well-wishes and thank-yous for U.S. soldiers injured in the line of duty. Through the efforts of the Warrior and Family Support Center and its coordinator, Judith Markelz, the Texas Folklife Festival was able to convey its sentiments of comfort and gratitude.

"It's all about friendship," said Andera, simply stating the theme of the 36th annual festival. "Some of these young men and women are far away from home, and they have sacrificed to bring freedom and liberty to people who desperately need them. Showing our gratitude and wishing these soldiers well is the least we could do. On behalf of the Texas Folklife Festival, we thank them for their service. We thank their caretakers and we thank Marita Harris for helping make this possible."

The annual Texas Folklife Festival is a cultural extravaganza showcasing the Lone Star State's diversity and rich heritage. The festival features authentic food, entertainment, family activities, special exhibits, artisan demonstrations and carnival rides.