Annville, Pa. - Eric Clift owns several businesses, including an auto dealership in Annville. He also works full-time at Fort Indiantown Gap. At 49 years old, he says he has one regret in life. "I'm too old too enlist," he said, "so I work at the carpenter shop at FIG."

Clift says he always wanted to do something extra for the troops. Two years ago, he decided to paint a message in the parking lot of his Annville business. The sign reading "God Bless Our Troops" still stands today - visible mostly to those who fly overhead.

"The young people that are in this area that might be from other parts of the country and other parts of the state at least know that someone here supports them," Clift said.

Over the past two years, planes have flapped their wings acknowledging the sign and helicopters have circled the lot to show thanks. Maj. Cory Angell, who just returned from Iraq (web | news) , took time to express his gratitude to Clift on Wednesday night.

"The support from the communities and everything like that, that's a place where people draw strength from in any adversity that they'll face," Angell said.

Clift said he will maintain the sign as long as he is in business. 

 

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