| LETTERS FROM THE TROOPS |
| THE CARE CLUB SHARES WITH YOU... |
| ======================================================== To the dear supporters of the deployed troops, My name is Melissa Brown, and I am a soldier in the 392nd Chemical Company, an Army Reserve unit from Arkansas. We have been on active duty since November 2003, and will have been mobilized for a total of 18 months by the time we make it back home. I can't even begin to explain how important your letters, cards, and packages have been to our soldiers. Your pictures, personal stories, motivational words, and the funny enclosures you send have been worth their weight in gold to everyone. At times when it seems that the world is full or hardship and hatred, your kindness is a welcome relief. I assure you that it will not be taken for granted or forgotten. When I ran across the Books For Soldiers website, I thought it would be a great little project for me to undertake. I am a mail clerk for my unit, and I had been noticing that a lot of people weren't gettting much mail after a few months in Iraq. This was pretty discouraging to everyone, and I started looking for a solution. After receiving the first two packages, things started to look brighter for my unit. People really cared about us! Then I started hearing about soldiers in other units who weren't getting mail, either-so I started taking down names, addresses, and lists of things they needed. Phase II of the project had begun. Here's a little about what happens to your package or letter when it arrives (for generic packages-packages and letters marked for someone specific get forwarded straight to them): I open the package/letter and make sure that it doesn't contain any contraband or hate mail-so far, everything's been great. The I go through my little green book of names and requests to figure out who needs what and I divide it into boxes for other soldiers. I make copies of the letters so that I can send it to more than just one soldier-sometimes a kind word from the states means more to them than a toothbrush, "poagie" bait (that's what we call snacks that we eat intead of MRE's), or the latest DVD. Every Friday I do a final check of all the boxes to make sure that everyone on the list is receiving something, even if I didn't receive anything they requested. I add the letters to the boxes, seal them up, and ship them to the soldiers. Right now I send packages to dozens of soldiers in four different camps-and the list keeps growing! I've only been doing this for a few weeks, and already I have Sergeant Majors coming to me saying "I heard about what you did for so-and-so, would you mind sending a package to this person as well?" I have had soldiers come to my tent ecstatic over receiving their first box, thanking me for making their day brighter. It's not me they should be thanking, though, but the kind people like you that have sent mail from home. If you still aren't convinced that your package really makes a difference, let me tell you the story of one soldier. He came to my office one day with a really bad attitude, talking negatively about the people of Iraq (the ones we're here to help), and being generally obnoxious. I had sent him a package the day before. That evening, after he received his package, he came to me with a letter. It was addressed to a man in jail that he had read about in that days Stars and Stripes newspaper. The man was homeless and had been arrested for stealing a box of candy bars because he was hungry. The soldier had written the man a check for $25, "about the cost of a box of candy bars here at the PX". He told me that the kindness of the people who had sent care packages had really changed his outlook on a lot of things, including people who are in situations less fortunate than ours. When that soldier left my tent, I cried-even tough Army girls are still a bit emotional. Through your letters and packages, you are not only touching the lives of soldiers, but influencing them to touch the lives of others. If the soldiers who receive these care packages are a little bit happier and a little bit nicer to their fellow soldiers and the local people that they interact with, we can make this world a safer, better place for our children. Thank you again for all you have done. YOU are true American heroes. Sincerely, Melissa Brown P.S.--Although I encourage all of the recipients of your packages to write thank you notes, many of them have extremely busy schedules and are unable to do so-after all, this is a combat zone. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for all of them. ======================================================== Hi Claudia, Thank you very much. I really do appreciate all that is done for me. There is so much happening here that sometimes I have to sit in a corner and make myself remember that there are so many people out there who are wishing us well. If you wish to see some pictures from here I will oblige but most of them are gross . I do have a couple of me playing with a weapon and some of the guys with weapons we have seized but we are not allowed to post those anymore due to security reasons. When I get home I will be able to so if u stay in touch I will share them with you. God Bless and I hope to hear from you again Angela David US Army ======================================================== I can't say how nice it is to get packages for my troops and myself. The support of others has been wonderful. Not to mention the shipments of children's books and children's clothes and toys that people have sent for the Orphanage. I am now working 7 days a week and 12 hour shifts, the packages have really helped us since some of work nights and don't have a PX near by. It has been great reading the letters and reading about people and their families and military experiences. Thank you all so much for your support and care. We will always remember and your letters will be keepsakes that we will treasure. SPC Rogers SSG Mesa PV2 Haffner Kabul Afganistan ========================================================= All~ My name is Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Robinson. I am deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan (the capital city). I just returned from my first trip to our local orphanage. I had the privilege of distributing some articles that you sent. I found The Care Club info paper about who you are and that you�d love to hear back from us in the box of toys. I can�t easily describe the excitement of the dozens of Afghan children who came through our line to receive assorted school supplies, a toy and an article of clothing. Their smiles cross all language barriers. It was evident that they struggle for everything they receive which caused some kids to be more aggressive in the lines. Overall, I was completely blessed to know that your sacrifice of time, planning, and packaging many days/weeks ago made this day very memorable for more than 100 children in Afghanistan. I encourage you to continue your service to service members and those whom we support overseas. May God Continue to Bless You ~ Jeff **** Please share with those who give of their time and resources! ========================================================= Hello, Thank you for contributing to the Read To Your Kids Program we have going on. Last Sunday, we made it to over a hundred tapes total since we started this program. Without your support this would not be possible !!! The Read to Your Kids Program is something we are starting here at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan (BAF). It is something new to BAF but started in Bosnia and Kabul by MSG Johnson. This is a good way for soldiers to keep in touch with their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc while deployed. The Read to Your Kids program is open to all US military service members, coalition forces, and civilians on BAF. With this program the soldiers get 30 minutes to read a children�s book while we make a VCR tape of it. We then give the tape and the book to the soldiers so they can send them home to their children. The deployed soldiers here are excited about the program and think it is a good way to continue interaction with their children Lewin A. Lall ========================================================= Happy 4th of July Care Club ! Thank you so much for your great box of goodies ! The kites you sent were a real hit ! Things are busy here in Orgun! I haven't been this tired since Ranger School and with the Afghan National Assembly Elections coming in September we will be busier still. I can't begin to tell everyone how amazing it is to see the children here light up when we pass on the donations you have made. Being able to change a life with a simple gesture is powerful. The prayer in my heart that I have just made a friend and supporter of Afghanistan, America, and Freedom is even better. You all have given me that chance and I appreciate it with all my heart. Time is both flying and standing still around here. We just hit 4 month down with 8 to go. It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but I don't let the soldiers see that. Sometimes being the coach and head cheerleader is taxing but it is also a rewarding and fulfilling job. The news reported yesterday that this has been the most deadly year in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. It is a sad fact but true. Today I had the luck to read the Declaration of Independence to the soldiers of the battalion (more then a hundred were present) and a company of ANA (Afghan National Army) troops. It was powerful and exciting. Thank you for all the creative, thoughtful and heartfelt items you have sent to the soldiers. I am blessed with an amazing wife and family back home but some of these guys don't have the same home grown support I do. They read your letters and cherish the items you send. It is true, in a place like this razor blades are like a new play station back home. I am so proud of these young men and women and you give me the opportunity to show them America is behind them and America in all her glory is there family. Some of the soldiers have returned on R&R leave and report warm greetings from the home front. It means a lot to them so if you see a Soldier on his way home stop and shake his hand. These young folks amaze me everyday with what they do. They are fighting and if the Lord calls them dying here and in Iraq and yet they still smile, still laugh, and still accomplish the mission. As the mission tempo increases the need for toiletries has gone up. Baby wipes are never in excess, neither is deodorant, shampoo, razors, shaving cream, soap, fly paper, nail trimmers, and did I mention baby wipes and hand sanitizer? Snacks are welcome raisins are really sought after but any snack will do. The soldiers really like letters , even if you can't send a package, so please if you are hesitant to mail boxes, just write to them. Pictures always make them feel a little more at home. I will always always accept school supplies and toys for the kids ! I will continue to try and write or email more. I apologize for being behind. May God Bless you all and keep you this Independence Day..... CPT John F Popiak, US ARMY ================================================= Dear Care Club, We received 2 packages from you. Thanks so much for sending them. The baby clothes and toys will be a big hit with the Iraqi kids. We have been blessed with the outpouring of goodwill from the US. I want you to know that this gift will make a difference in the war effort and help to bringing peace to the region. God's blessings to you and your club. I have attached two photos of recent gifts being given out to kids. We will take some photos around the base and send the camera back to you. Unfortunately, we do not get out to do the distribution to the kids. Civil Affairs does that. Thanks again for your gift. LCDR Terry W. Eddinger MAG 26 (Reinforced) Command Chaplain Al Asad Air Base, Iraq ================================================= Thank you again for your wonderful package. Everything was well enjoyed. We appreciate everything you send. Yours truly, SSG Justine Bell TF 249th General Hospital =================================================== Hello, I received a package from you yesterday and I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you. It means alot to us that there are people that support us from afar. There really are no special requests for packages except that we are drinking alot of water and really go through kool aid like crazy. And the sweet snacks are a rare thing around here. We don't have much of a place to buy things so anything that is sent is used. I don't want to take too much of your time.. Take care and thank you.. Tiffany Pharo ====================================================== Thanks for the water ballons. The magazines are great too. Spc Robert Lyle HHC 116th BCT(forward) ====================================================== Dear Skip and the Care Club, Thank you very much for the the box of goodies. That was very nice of you. It is always nice to know that the American public supports us. We hear a lot of bad publicity over here and it disheartens us to know that some Americans just don't understand and do not support the troops. Whether or not they support the war, we are simply doing our job and the support keeps us going. Being in Iraq has been an eye opening experience for us and I am glad I got to see first hand what is happening over here. Again the media tends to portray every thing in a negative aspect but there are so many positive things happening every day. The Iraqi people for the most part are glad that we are here and thankful for our help. The insurgents are few and far between but very violent and therefore fearsome. The people want to be free but just do not know how to fight for that freedom. We are giving them the confidence and ability to defend themselves against their enemies. Again let me thank you all for the box of goodies. You will never know how much it means to us over here to know that proud Americans are looking beyond the war and focusing on the personnel who are fighting it. I have enclosed a picture of our office. I am leaving this week but Maj Stacey Taylor and LtCol Jack Ciesla will remain with the Marines until March of 2006. May God bless you all. Sincerely, CWO5 Toni M. Naro Ground Combat Element Multi-National Force 2d Marine Division Perso/Adj ======================================================= Dear Soldier Supporters, I want to thank every one of you for the support you have shown to me and all of the other soldiers out here. I (we) appreciate everything you all do for us. I also want to apologize for the format of this email. I kind of had to make a general email to all of you due to all of the letters and packages I recieved from you. I had been pretty busy up until now, mainly due to the fact that we are finally preparing to go home. Let me tell you, it has been a very long year here in Iraq. During my year here, I have seen everything from mortars and rockets landing close enough to knock me off my feet, to 148 degree weather, to going on convoys into the city of Baghdad on patrols. The best experience I have had here was working with the Iraqi Police at a police station in the middle of Baghdad for a few weeks during the elections. I realized right then that not all Iraqi's are bad. We sat down almost every night with them, had tea, and joked with them for hours. The most memorable part was when we left the police station to come back to this camp. Alot of them had tears in their eyes and were coming up giving us hugs, secret handshakes we taught them, and wishing us luck. I'd have to say I learned alot of Arabic during that time, as well as teaching them a little bit of english. After 11 1/2 months of being here, I am truely ready to go home. I wish them the best of luck in the upcoming years of rebuilding their government and ridding their country of the ones trying to impede the progress of becoming a peaceful country. In closing, I want to again thank you all for everything you have done in showing support for us soldiers out here. Thank you again, and I am greatful to say, I will be home soon. Spc Ken Kroon US ARMY ======================================================= Thank you so much for the package. The patients in our ward are always in need. Any help is greatly appreciated. Yours truly, Justine Bell ======================================================= Thank you for everything you do for these guys. We have good access to popcorn, and crackers and bread for our peanut butter snacks. We were looking for pocket protein snax for our 1-2 day missions, and also that DVDs are a hit because they just need a couple hours of being mentally entertained. You probably know how that is. Hike 30 miles in my boots etc.... Thanks a bunch !! MSgt Joe Benavides 380 ESFS/SFOS ======================================================= Thanks for helping him. He came back from Iraq last April and now he's back again. So even a letter or support would cheer him up. He's 27, going through a divorce and has three small children. Sharon Harman ======================================================== Hi Skip, my name is Chris Merrill. I got a Christmas card from you all at the Care Club, and just wanted to say thank you. It's a very nice thing you all do. This year has been especially hard on me because I got married right before I deployed, and then found out we were pregnant a month after I got here. My son Logan was born Halloween morning and I got to go home for two weeks r&r right after he was born. That was really nice. But it was hard leaving again. Anyway, thank you again. You can write back if you like. Chris M. ========================================================= Thanks for all the snacks. I just wanted to email you and say thank you. I appreciate all the people from home sending me stuff. Thank you again. Mercer Day ========================================================== I wanted to drop you a line and let you know how things are going. We are still working hard and the Marines are keeping up their good spirts. The support that we have been getting from the home front is great. everything we have asked for the great folks from the States have sent. We recently received an large package of Girl Scout cookies and phone cards from the Houston Marine Moms. We passed them out and the Marines were singing the praises for days. We really do appreciate the support that comes form the people back home. Let the know we are really thankful for all they do. We are out here doing a hard job but they are filling our hearts with love and filling our minds with good thoughts from home. Semper Fi! GySgt Ransier =========================================================== Hello... I am still doing fine. It�s been very busy around here but I will soon go on leave so I am happy about that. The things that I most need is body wash, Pantene Pro V shampoo and conditioner for people of color ( brown bottle), juice boxes, candy, cd�s, books, cheese its, crackers, pictures frame and a cork board, pajamas ( shorts and tank tops size L), socks (size 9), baby wipes, bras (38C) face wash, and anything else would be much more appreciated. Thank you. PFC Amanda Fiala ========================================================== We have received approximately 10 packages. Some of the packages we opened up and distributed in the company areas. I have six packages in my office that we are putting new address labels on. We are targeting a few of our soldiers who never get mail. We got held up in the delivery of these packages because the mail clerk who was assisting us with names, went on leave. Each of the six packages is going to be delivered to a specific soldier. Our needs remain the same as the first posting. Supply issues continue to plague us throughout this area. The support that we receive from Any Soldier is very much appreciated. May God bless you. May God bless our soldiers. Chaplain (CPT) Harris, Ken ========================================================== Thank you so much for your support. My platoon could use personal hygeine products. Snacks are good also. Thank you. PFC Terina A. Folsom HHC, CDC 1st COSCOM ========================================================= Hello, First let me say thank you for your support. It means a lot. Currently my Soldiers and I are living well. We do not have any complaints. Yes, we miss our families, however, that's where you step in. More so than anything, we would just like to receive letters and magazines. We look forward to writing and just saying hello. However, if you do decide to send other items to us; insect repellent, hygiene items, body wash and more reading material would be appreciated. Again, your support means a lot to us ALL. May God continue to bless us all Keep Smiling, LT Vernetta Warner ======================================================== Hello, Our internet is up and down daily. We have been on many different missions. (i.e. ranges, tests, programming systems, etc) However, we are doing just fine. The weather is extremely hot now. Again we appreciate everything that you do now, have done in the past, and will do in the future. May God bless you!! CPL SHAKEISHA SMITH ======================================================== I just wanted to tell you thank you. We are getting things and everyone in the motor pool is getting stuff and I take all the female stuff to the latrines and all the females snatch it all up quickly Thanks so much to everyone ! SPC Charity F. Hilterbrand 341 AG Postal ======================================================== Hi Folks, Well my tour is almost half way thru and I have enjoyed your support tremendously. My soldiers and I all pretty much stocked up on everything we need here. Thank you for all your support and the support for the Orphanages. Its still pretty warm out, however the nights are getting cooler. We hope that winter will not be too cold. I will go on leave (R&R) to Hawaii to see my kids in October! I cant wait to see how much they have grown. They have made me very proud, with their improvements on their grades to all A's and just one B. Please continue to send support to the Orphanages using the Community relations address. I will continue to keep you updated on the events that take place here. Elections are coming up hopefully we will not see too many violent outbreaks. Thank you ALL SPC Kerry Rogers ========================================================= Hello first of all I want to thank you for all of the stuff you have sent to me and my soldiers we really do appreciate everything you do and your staff in helping our days go by it really helps that there are some people out there that cars enough and want to help out. Once again thank you for the stuff and if its possible can you please sent dvd's and cds for us to listen to and I hope to continue thanking you for everything you do in the future. So once again thank you SPC Derrick Moore ===================================================== Skip Thank you very much for taking time to send us a package. We appreciate it very much. We would love to get any thing for entertainment such as movies or games. We do have a dvd player, and a TV. We also have a laptop. Thanks again SSgt Rodger L. Carr ====================================================== |
| Here are some of the emails we have received from the troops. We have also received many letters via the Postal Service... ENJOY !!! |
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