Michael Auten decided he wanted to show his support for military personnel when his older brother went off to war.
"My brother was my inspiration," Auten said of Graham Auten, who recently returned from a nine-month tour in Afghanistan.
So, Michael formed the Hickory High Military Alumni Association. Michael is a junior at HHS.
He decided to send his brother a thank-you note. A really big thank-you note, the size of a wall map.
Graham was a soccer player at Hickory High, so Michael took the giant poster to an alumni soccer match, went to other HHS sports events and circulated the poster at school.
He ended up with about 200 signatures.
Personalizing the poster for Graham posed a problem: Where to find a printer big enough to put the name and insignia of Graham's outfit?
His dad came to the rescue.
George Auten, a military veteran himself, works with Atriax Group. Atriax has a printer massive enough to do the job.
When the poster was full of signatures, off it went to Afghanistan.
It got a lot of attention.
Graham has served in the Air Force for three years as a civil engineer. He graduated from Hickory High in 2002. He was on the state champion soccer team and earned the most valuable player honor.
Michael said his brother enjoyed showing off his soccer skills to Afghani children. He also liked showing off the poster.
"This letter is the most unique form of appreciation I have received, and I am proudly displaying it in my tent," he wrote to Michael.
That's all the impetus Michael needed.
"That is only the first letter of thanks," he said. "I want to send more to as many people as I can."
The poster-cards aren't just for active military personnel serving overseas.
"They're for military serving anywhere, for veterans, for anyone who is or has served in the military from Hickory High," Michael said.
The association is only two months old. Michael is getting support from HHS ROTC commander Lt. Col. Walter Gandy.
Michael is not in ROTC, "but those who serve are important to me. They need to know they're appreciated," he said.
Michael needs more names. He wants to keep the service project going.
He wants Hickory High's military alumni to get the same expression of gratitude as Graham, who will redeploy soon.
"There are many people to thank," Michael said. And, if he has his way, a lot of signatures to get.
Judging from his initial effort, he won't have much trouble.
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