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In everything that we do, we try to thank the men and women fighting the war on terrorism...and yet, they take the time to thank us.  Below you will find heartwarming letters from those we support.


Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Hello and Happy New Year Back at ya!

 

 

We think what you do is great and we really appreciate the kind nature and generosity of each package you all have sent.  I guess that is what I will remember most about my deployment here, the well wishes and packages from our “Package Angels.”  You take care.

 

Major P.K. W. 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MIA, I am so happy to hear from you also and having to chance to show how much you and your team means to us (248th MICO) and it is important that I take time to write back, becauses its important enough for you to care and do the things you do for us. I and all my soldiers are busy but its takes less time to email a thanks or two than it does to complain that people back home doesn't care. So its an honor to email should great HERO's as yourself and your GROUP and we are all in this together. So I thank you on the company behave and Thank you for your tireless support. and may GOD continue to shine in your heart and thoses who you touch with your kindness froever.

 1SGT Michael

 

First I would like to tell you that I am safely back in the great U.S.A.  I would also like to thank you for all of the support and prayers you gave to my men and me.  If it wasn't for you we could not have made it through everything we have gone through.  I know you think it was nothing but it really made a difference.  I also would like to apologize about not being able to stayin contact with you near the end.  When we got extended and moved down south things reallt got crazy and i didn't get much time to write.  Now that it is all over with I can tell you some of the things that we had done so you can understand what kind of difference you made.  <personal info>  ...but through all of this we had your support which like I said before did more than you will evr realize.  You were someone that would remind us what we were fighting for and gave us hope when we could see none.  I just wanted to let you know that we all thank you and appreciate the time you took into letting us know that you supported us even if you heard anything from us or not.  If anything you made a difference to a small platoon of men that went through the worst things imaginable and gave them hope. 

SGT Jason

 

Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 1:52 AM
Subject: 31st Combat Support Hospital update

As promised I am getting out an update of our happenings.  For the most part our day to day activities reamin the same around here.  We continue to do about 15 surgeries each day which keeps us hopping.  My staff is so good and I know many of them are within your watchcare.  One of the exciting things that is about to happen is we are embarking upon a new construction project.  This new construction will put us in a permanent structure and with equipment that is made for heavy use.  Currently we are using Army field equipment, while effective, doesn't stad up well to the heavy burden we put on it.  This new area will be used for Central Material Services.  That is where we do all the cleaning and sterilization of surgical instruments and supllies for the hospital.  I am very excited about this project.

Our unit has begun to take advantage of the R&R program.  We just don't have enough slots thus far for everyone to get out as scheduled.  As you know in the Army everything is always a moving target.

We had an article on the front page of The Stars and Strips (European edition) earlier this month.. here is the link which you can access it.
(http://www.stripes.com/article.aspsection=104&article=21255&archive=true)
Sounds a little depressing but we are doing wonderful things over her to save soldiers lives so they can return home.  But as you know last month was a very bad month for US forces with many many live being lost and we saw more than our fair share of soldier deaths last month.

The temperaturs have begun to climb significantly here with daily highs near 110 and the worst is yet to come.  Thankfully we have new air contitioners.

Well I am not a long letter writer.  Just wanted to say once again thanks for supporting the troops over here.  The care packages mean alot to the soldiers and thanks for the Birthday card it made me smile.

MAJ James

 

 

Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 1:31 AM

We were absolutely amazed to see what you and your friends have put together.  It is wonderful, and very emotional to us when we reflect on the support and prayers coming our way from so many people.  Thank you, thank you, thank youâÃÆ’Æ’¢ÃÆ’¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ’‚¬ÃÆ’Æ’‚ÃÆ’‚¦from all the folks IâÃÆ’Æ’¢ÃÆ’¢â‚¬Å¡ÃÆ’‚¬ÃÆ’Æ’¢ÃÆ’¢â‚¬Å¾ÃÆ’‚¢m with, and from countless others that you and your friends have supported.

We replaced 4th ID, and are located in the same region they were.  I will keep me eyes out for any soldiers that don't seem to be getting any personal mail or contact from home.  I've told me folks to spread the word about your wonderful organization.

God Bless!

MAJ Scot

 

 

Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 11:32 AM
Subject: From the other side of the World

I want to thank you for all your kindness towards us. The package was wonderful. I don't know when I have had so much fun opening a package.

I opened it and my eyes immediately began to sparkle. I say water guns. For one moment nothing else really mattered. I began to hand the weapons out undercover. Everyone was so excited. I even gave one to our higher officers a LTC and a CPT. They loved them too. We spent about 1 hour that morning in a bath of spraying water. Now we just look for reasons to have a spray fight. Oh thank you very much, for thinking of something I never would have thought of.

Well finally I went back to the box. Oh, I must say we used the spray bottles as water guns too. But we returned the water bottles to be used for spray things. Oh but we had fun with them.

I love the plates and bowls. The sports drink bottle will really come in handy. We mix power drink mixes in our water so we can drink it better so that is something I really needed. Thank you for the fly swatters, the magazines. We love getting reading material, we have even started a library, when we finish reading the book or magazine we put it in the library for others to enjoy, I hope i called this right, were the paper clips book markers, if not that is what I called them when i passed them out. Thank you it was a wonderful idea and we read a lot, in most cases more than one book at a time. Thank you so much for the sun block and the wraps, we love the ease of the roll on instead of the cream sun block. Thank you for the batteries, we can never get enough of those. But, on a more personal note, thank you so much for all the feminine products.

Cares Body wash
Nivea Body Lotion
Massengill,soft cloth towelettes(yes!)
Neutrogena spa treatment (hurray!)
Tampons

I want to tell you how much I appreciate you and your associates for supporting us with these pleasures of life. You can rest assured your service put a smile on a lot of service members faces.  Thanks for caring enough to send the very best.

Oh yea I will not forget the booklet of John and Romans. I did bring my bible with me but I am going to put this wonderful witnessing tool in our library for others to read. I truly believe that someone that needs it will pick it up and read it and another soul will be saved. Amen.

I want to thank you again for sending so much joy into our lives, just a little touch of home.

Thank you from my soldiers and me.

SSG Collins


PS-Oh can i tell you how hot it is here. Of course I have never experienced heat like this. It is 140 degrees and still climbing. We walk everywhere. We will all be skin and bones when we get home. Maybe I should market a trip here for six months as a new spa treatment, to help you loose weight.  Thank so much for your love and care.

 

 

Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 12:39 PM
 
I'm sorry It's been a while and I've been extremely busy.  18-20 hour days getting ready to graduate our first class of Iraqi Civil Defense Corps soldiers, and prepping for al  the ceremonies, dignitaries, etc that goes along with that.  It is finally overall it went well.but I think I aged several months in the past week! Not fair!!  Lol

We're very much looking forward to the chili cheese powder tell your client we're waiting with baited breath!!  Most of the guys love Mexican, but we only get it in the chow hall about once or twice a month.

Have I told you how awesome you are!!  Thanks again.  I hope someday we can all meet you and repay you somehow.

From all you friends here in Iraq.thanks!

MAJ Scot


I just wanted to thank you for sending the box. I greatly appreciate it. It is nice to know that there are people out there that don't know you that are supporting you like this.

Thank You, SGT Shelly

 



Thank you so much for the package. Thanks againg for supporting us over here while in Iraq. God Bless you and all the good people of Ohio. Signed American Fighting Soldier!!

Thank you so much for the box full of goodies! I shared it will my platoon and they were all excited. There was something in there for everyone. We all really appreciate all the support we have been receiving from the states. Please extend my gratitude to everyone in your community that has worked so hard to make a difference in the lives of a few soldiers.

Signed Chris

 

 I can't begin to tell you what a special evening it was for our 4 families
to put together these boxes. There was much excitement and learning on the
part of the 3 young grandchildren and my 15 year old son was very proud of
the quantity of Cd's he burned.  My husband and father related stories of
their own military experience (Vietnam-era and WWII) and the children made
ornaments and a card that they decorated and we all signed.

We will certainly include a note with our names, emails, self addressed
envelope and a reference to you so they know how we got their address. I
will get it mailed this week.

Thanks again
Brunner Family
Christmas 2005
***********************************************

Thank you for the Christmas Stocking that you sent to my Dad in
 Iraq. It means a lot to him and us.

 Claire Walters
 14 years old
 Australia
Christmas 2005
********************************
 
 
 
Just wanted to let you and your group know that I was fortunate to receive a stocking.
 
I can't tell you how nice and thoughtful that was to prepare and send those to so many of
us deployed.
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
 
Craig , LtCol
MNF-I SG
**************************************************
 
 
Dear Mia Elliott Supe and friends,

 I want to thank you very much for brightening up our Christmas season.  You had sent a large number of stockings to MAJ Magalski, who distributed them to us.  We took a group photo with the stockings and goodies, so that should be making its way back to you soon. 

 The support and care shown by you and your organization is fantastic.  The moral of the soldiers here jumps appreciably whenever they get a package, a letter, a card, or just a little appreciation in the papers. 

 For what you do to help us win through, thank you.

 Very Respectfully,

MAJ Brad 

MCI 914 - 822 - 0067

*********************************************** 

MIA AND CREW,

ALL BOXES ARRIVED TODAY.  EVERYONE WAS SO EXCITED AND WE HANDED OUT THE STOCKINGS IMMEDIATELY.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPREADING THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.  OUR AUSTRALIAN ARMY COUNTERPARTS WHO WORK WITH US HERE WERE ASTOUNDED AS TO THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION.  I HANDED OUT THE PHONE CARDS TO ALL THE ENLISTED SOLDIERS AND THEY COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!  YOUR EFFORTS HAVE MADE OUR UNIT VERY HAPPY.  THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS.  WE ARE TRULY BLESSED.

 Major Mark

*********************************************************************

Mia,

We did get the Playstation and Xbox today also.  Thank you so much.  We had to get a 220V-110V converter to use them, but I bought it today and they work just fine.  Our Boss, BG Gainey was very touched and appreciative of all that you have done for our unit.  Expect to hear from her soon.

 MMM

 MAJ Mark MNF-I  DCS-SUST

Fuels Officer

************************************************

 Mia,

             I left a note on your web site today after getting a bag of candy from one of your packages.   It was only this afternoon when Mark Magalski gave us our Christmas Stockings did I appreciate the magnitude of the generosity and support to the troops from you and your team.   The Aussies are over here working side-by-side with our American coalition partners, and we have continuously (Gulf War 1, the subsequent blockage and WMD inspectors) since 1991.  

             I wanted you to know how much the Australians admire the support organizations such as yours give the men and women in the services over here.   We don’t have the same private support groups in Australia and we are quite envious.  Still everyone here shares their packages Australian and American alike – no matter how generous as was yours, or as modest as some cookies baked by their Mum or wife.  

           The Christmas Stockings brought a lot of smiles and especially to the Australian headquarters team who Mark invited over to share the Christmas spirit with.   Not getting organization ‘care packages’ they were like kids in a candy store.  Even thinking about it now, I get a little emotional – too long away from home can either make you softer or harder, but it does change you.

            Thank you so very much for my filled Christmas Stocking, my head warmer and a bag of candy.   While they will all be used, the most precious gift was the thought that someone supports our efforts.

 

thanks

  Bament

********************************************************* 

Mia,

 

Earlier today we had Santa visit our office in Baghdad, Iraq with stockings and phone cards.  There are no words to explain how I felt watching grown men and women excitedly picking up their stockings.  They seemed to revert back to their childhood as they excitedly showed what they received.  I am not military rather I am a Department of Defense civilian employee and a seven time grandmother who has had the honor of being here for six months and working with these fine individuals.  This deployment will be over for me this Thursday, 1 December, and although I look forward to seeing my family I will miss these great people.

 I am very proud of all these men and women who sacrifice so much and usually for so little pay and keep trudging along without complaining.  I am also proud of my country and the fine Americans like you and your organization who take precious time during this busy season to put packages together. 

 Most of the enlisted military are younger than my children but they step up and do what is asked of them without question.  Every time I see a patrol heading toward the gate I pray that these young men will return safely.  They do not question being here because they know just as I do that it is the right thing to do. 

 Please keep supporting the troops.

 God Bless!

Mickey

 Ms. Mickey Lapp 

 

Mia

Yes we did get the Karaeoke machine okay...we all used it
today and had a blast, I have pictures and videos I can show you when I get back.  If you have the contact # of the lady that said she sent it could you let her know that we would like more music if possible, the guys already went through almost all the songs in on eday...they said they'd like rock or classic rock songs. I didn't think the guys would set up the kareoke machine  but they set it up today and sang away...they made me sing "its my party and
i'll cry if i want to" so they could get a joke out of it and also "redneck woman".  They really seemed to love it it would just be great if we could get more music.   Thank you again for everything.
LCpl Kristy

 

 

A Co. 216th Engineers Batallion
 

 

St. Leonard residents sent some wonderful Valentines out to our service men and women!  If only those cards were big enough to send ALL the love and support we have for our troops!!!