By JESSICA LANGDON, Scripps Howard News Service

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - When friends asked Mark Masman what he needed in the hours after a wildfire decimated his home, he thought of something.

"I need an American flag," Masman told them.

Saturday afternoon, friends displayed a new flag on the brick remains of the Masmans' home on Lucky Lane in Wichita Falls.

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Kate Podschun doesn't know who the man is, but she knows he changed her family's Christmas.

A surprising gesture by a stranger put the Podschuns in the giving spirit, and Podschun believes the unexpected gift sparked a new Christmas tradition for her own family.

At first glance, Debbie Brandt thought the stiff yellow envelope waiting for her might hold junk mail, but something made her take a second glance, and inside, she found a treasure she never expected -- a handwritten note with President Barack Obama's signature.

The white card with the presidential seal held these words, written in black ink:

"Deborah --

WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- Mindy Daffern was a familiar face to many in the close-knit community of Scotland, Texas, and friends saw her when they stopped by The Grocery Store.Family meant everything to her, and she was close to her children and grandchildren.The violence that ended her life has shaken the small community and has left many questions about why it happened.