var id = 'preview';	    

function previewMessage()
{
    //variable to use in locating preview message display areas
  var pre = 'display-';
  var displayId2 = pre + 'message';	    
  var displayId3 = pre + 'submitter';	    
  var displayId4 = pre + 'subdate';   

    //variable to use in locating input areas on the form
  var inputId5 = 'arrival';
  var inputId6 = 'departure';
  var inputId7 = 'message';	    
  var inputId8 = 'submitter';	

    //locating body for preview message display areas
  var nodeObj = document.getElementById(id);  

    //locating preview message display areas
  var nodeObj2 = document.getElementById(displayId2);  
  var nodeObj3 = document.getElementById(displayId3);  

    //locating input areas on the form
  var nodeObj5 = document.getElementById(inputId5);  
  var nodeObj6 = document.getElementById(inputId6);  
  var nodeObj7 = document.getElementById(inputId7);  
  var nodeObj8 = document.getElementById(inputId8);  

    //compiling preview message for display areas
  var fullMainArea = nodeObj7.value + ' Arrival date: ' + nodeObj5.value + ', Departure date: ' + nodeObj6.value;
  var signOff = nodeObj8.value;

    //creating preview message display text
  nodeObj2.firstChild.nodeValue = fullMainArea;
  nodeObj3.firstChild.nodeValue = signOff;
  writeDate(displayId4);
  nodeObj.style.visibility = 'visible';
}

function closePreview()
{ 
  var nodeObj = document.getElementById(id);  
  nodeObj.style.visibility = 'hidden';
}