28 July 2002

Last chapter to our saga and it is with a heavy heart that we close this book.  what a great experience. the kids all arrived home, some a little later than others as pittsburgh provided some speed bumps getting through customs, etc. always something isn't it.  as i look back upon our tour, i see 2 groups that began as strangers and ended up as great friends. i see memories that will go on and on and i see lessons learned that i hope will stay with us for a long time.  this is my 16th year of stars 'n stripes, and it might be tough to find a better group of kids.  not all of us are angels mind you, but these kids are special and they gave us coaches some special memories. some of which i can never share with you, (bet that will make you think won't it) mostly because a player and coach relationship is special.  desire to please a coach is a powerful thing and these kids have it.  good luck to all of you in your soccer careers and hopefully stars 'n stripes has had a small impact on your development both as a soccer player and as a person.  signing off for the last time for this summer tour of 2002, this is ed puskarich. see you at the far post!

Ed