Thank You's

September 19, 2007

Dear Ladies & Students,

I am writing this "Thank You" on behalf of my husband, MSG Michael.

I am sorting through his items & came across your "Greetings from Winamac, IN."

He was injured in a mortar attacked in Iraq 2006.  He is presently recovering from surgery, again, at our home in GA.  But, he still had the strength to request that I send this email to all of you...THANKING YOU!!!!!!!!

Your "Greetings" was a refreshing "boost " for my husband.  As to the fact, his injuries have immobilized him for several months & he feels a little depressed......but, not anymore.....hurrrawwww!!!!!

Your genuine concern for our troops is a heartfelt welcome to all of our soldiers, especially in times where the media/newspapers have negative things to say about our soldiers and the present situations in Iraq & Afghanistan.

FYI - He was awarded two Bronze Stars for combat in Iraq & Afghanistan.

Once again, we THANK YOU!!!!!! HURRRRAWWWWWW...to all of you.  Keep up the outstanding work, we do receive your correspondence & share it with others.

Your voices do not fall upon deaf ears. God Bless You & Your Families are in our Prayers.

With the sincerest gratitude,

SFC (Ret) Yasmin

MSG Michael

September 11, 2007

Kathi,

Wanted to let you know we received the care package and wanted to say thank you.  Your support is truly appreciated. We could not do our jobs without the support from home.

R/S

Randy

August 27, 2007

Hello Judi and Katherine,

I just want to thank you and let you know that the car packages that you sent us were very much appreciated.  They reminded us that people back home care for us.  Thank you.

SSG Sterwin

Dear Judi and Katherine,

My name is Sgt. Joshua and I am and Infantry Team Leader currently in southern Iraq.

On behalf of myself and my whole team, I wanted to thank you both for the care packages you sent. It means so much for us to get that type of support from home. It means more, since it did not come at Christmas time. We got tons of stuff around that time and then nothing for months! Thank you!

We are headed home soon after spending 15 months away from our loved ones. Needless to say, we are very excited!

I wish you both and your families all the best.

Best regards,

Sgt. Joshua

US Army Infantry

Freedom is not free; but don't worry, the US Army Infantry is picking up the tab.

Just wanted to drop you a line and thank you for the care package.  When they come in, it is like vultures attacking.  Nothing goes to waste and all is truly appreciated.  Again, thank you very much!!!!!

R/S

August 4, 2007

Ladies I just wanted to let you know that the care packages that you sent for the Marines of MTACS-28 were very much appreciated, and we would like to say thank you from all of the Marines out here.

Semper Fi

August 8, 2007

Dear Kathi,

Good Morning from Iraq. We received your box the other day and I want sincerely thank you and the great folks that are working for or with you! They are truly making a difference for these Soldiers. We do have another unit coming into replace us and we will share any residual items with them. So if it is not too much trouble, please continue to send the great boxes. Like I said, they are much appreciated!

I want to send back a special thank you for the extra item in the care package......Freeze pops! I understand you are unable to take request....but you still managed to get those in there.....THANK YOU!

We are not scheduled to depart until toward the end of September. When the new unit comes in.....may I forward your name to them? They will be active duty from TEXAS. We all can't be from INDIANA.

Thank you again and have a great day!

June 27, 2007

Katherine,

You guys are all awesome. I cannot express how much your support means to me and the Soldiers.

Here are a few recent photos of stuff that is going on over here.

Not too many people are taking photos anymore because they all tend to look the same. Everyday here is the same. The Soldiers continue to work 6 to 7 days a week on a 24 hour basis. Signal is a 24/7 job so we don't have the luxury of shutting down on the holidays or weekends. I will tell you that they all do a fantastic job, even with the additional 3

months they are giving us.

Enjoy the photos!

LT James

Hello Katherine we received the 50 C-Rats yesterday. I have been handing out the packages to every member that comes into the office. Every member that I hand one is very happy to see that people back home care and appreciate what the members of the military are doing out here. Each one of us here in Air Department would like you to know we appreciate you and your company for doing what you all are doing it definitely puts a big smile on each member that receives a package. I am sending the picture we took yesterday to show you that we received the package and have been handing out each C-Rat to every member in out Department. Take care and again thank you very much for the great package.    

VERY/RESPECTFULLY
YN3 ROGERS
USS NIMITZ CVN 68
(LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST)

Judi;

I would like to thank you on behalf of my unit and myself for all the support that you have shown us while we have been here...

Again, thank you for all you have done for us as we truly appreciated everything. 

Take care and stay safe.  God Bless!!


CPT Gregory

Hi Judi,

I received a package in the mail last week and it had a note from you in it...

...I just wanted to say thanks for the package and thanks for thinking of us.  I've got a bunch of Airmen at about 19 different locations and I send the stuff forward to their locations.  Here at Balad, which is about 45 miles north of Baghdad, we're at a fairly large base.  But we have folks at some pretty austere locations and they're really glad to get the support and letters from home.

This is a six month tour for me.  So far, we've got four months down and two to go.  Glad I'll leave before it gets hot.  It's been sunny and in the 70s for the past few weeks.  It will be double that in a couple of months.  I know what the weather has been like in the Midwest this winter, so I won't complain too much.  We'll be heading back to Washington state when we leave here.  Can't wait to get back and do some fishing.

Thanks again and take care,

Les

Sir/Ma'am,
Thank you very much for keeping the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines in your thoughts and prayers.  We really appreciate every box, every letter, and every email we receive because it tends to remind us of someone, somewhere that we are here for.  From my Soldiers and
myself thank you.

CPT Kirk

November 17, 2006

Good Afternoon,

I wanted to email you and say thank for the care items that you sent. I am currently deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   It means a lot to us when people send us items especially people that we do not know cause it shows us that people do believe in us.  I am actually from North Judson, IN.  I am a 2003 graduate of NJSP so it was nice to see someone from close to home send something. Again thank you very much and have a happy holidays! 

Matthew

Judi, Katherine, Mary and to all that is involve with the care package being sent to all the troops in Iraq, "We Thank You"!

I am a civilian contractor with ITT; I am a Tire Repairman, supporting our troops. We work for the troops here in Camp Anaconda. We received a care package the other day and we found a note in it with your names and email address.

Everyone, military personnel and civilians really appreciates the support that is coming from back home. It is especially hard for the younger folks that left the safe and comfort of their own home to fly half way around the world to a harsh land such as Iraq. I wish you could see their faces as they went through the boxes you all have sent. It was a good day! It was like Christmas for us all!

Thanks again.

GLENN

Good morning ladies,
I just wanted to thank you for keeping us all in your thoughts.  Your gifts are much appreciated.
Semper Fi and thanks again,
Ryan

November 13, 2006  

Ladies, I want to personally THANK YOU all for your Love and Support for our military men/women here participating in OIF/OEF and other places that aren’t even mentioned. I know you don’t expect anything in return but actually you do, and I’m speaking for all those who like to but for some reason are not able to; THANK YOU VERY MUCH for all of your SUPPORT, it is VERY MUCH appreciated and it does mean a lot to all of us.

Take care and may you have a Bless Day.

Tony

Hello,

I wanted to thank you all for sending the packages over to us here.  You are appreciated.

V/R

CRAIG

HI

My name is Rebecca and I am in the Navy Reserve that is now on active duty and serving in Africa.  I work in the Comptroller's office (I pay all the bills). I have been here for 9 months and I have 3 more to go. I will be leaving the end of February 07. I am married and have 3 children: Ramoan 19, Andre' 16, and Bianca 14. Me and my husband have been married for 20 years ( I got married at the age of 16). I have been married to him for so long that it's very hard not to have him by my side. I think the hardest part of this deployment is going to be not being home for Christmas with the kids. This is my first deployment and it can be hard here. I count my blessing that I am not in other places but it gets very hot here 147 degrees in the summer time and trust me you run to work to get inside and run home to get inside. It is cooling down some here it's like 87 degrees but when it cools down there are flies every where. It's almost like a bad horror movie...

I do want to thank you ladies for taking the time out of you day to send us a little something. It makes this all feel worth while being here.  To know that people back home are thinking of us.   We are trying to win the heart and minds of the people. I think it is working to.

Well I have to get back to work.. Thanks again and I hope you have a wonderful holiday season... Thanks again.. U guys are the best!

Rebecca

Africa

November 16, 2006

Hello Judy, Katherine and Mary,

  Just thought I would thank you for sending the packages our way.

I’m currently in Africa. Many of the troops that received the packages today have been here since Feb. and will be here until this coming Feb. Receiving these packages does much to ensure that the morale remains high, as a year away

from home can take it’s toll. So ladies, Thank YOU!  These things

do more than you know. 

Till Next Time,

Andy

(1979 Grad. of Elmhurst High School, Ft. Wayne, IN)

Ladies,

Just wanted to take a moment and say 'Thank you'. I was in need of some toothpaste and a second toothbrush for my tent! I can't believe that it is starting to get cold. My hometown is Cleveland, Ohio - supposedly it is getting cold there as well. It is still hot in Africa and I kind of miss the colder weather.

We really appreciate your kindness from Winamac!

Very Respectfully,

Vincent

August 8, 2006

Ladies,

Thank you very much for your support. I received one of your packages today. Your patriotism does not go unnoticed and your efforts are inspiring.

Thank you

Good Morning. I am a DOD employee, currently deployed with the Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Soldiers.  I retired in 1998, after 21 years in the Navy but still feel some obligation even though my family feels I have done enough. I just want to say that these men and women deployed far from the shores of the United States are sincerely trying to doing the best they in the face of numerous challenges. The creature comforts for deployed units are significantly different since I first joined but the risk are most definitely the same. Time spent here is hardly normal, averaging 14-17 hours at work on a good day. Although, most do not take the time to write everyone they would like to communicate with, they do appreciate the support that we have received.  I am thanking you for your thoughts and efforts to ensure that we realize we are in the hearts and minds of those back at home.  From all of us here in Qatar, I thank you.

Regards
John

August 8, 2006

Hello Ladies in Indiana,

I wanted to write you in order to show my gratitude for the heartwarming, goodie filled boxes that you ladies so specially packaged and shipped to us.  For me the socks were a blessing since the attire that we wear along with the harsh environment does put a wear and tear on our clothing, and yes the snacks came in handy also.  It is always nice to receive a little comfort from home.  I will be leaving here soon and I can’t wait to see something other than brown like (green trees/grass, colorful flowers and a blue sky without a gray haze).  But I am sure that the ones that have to stay and continue on will also enjoy those gift boxes that are so graciously shipped to us with care. 

Thank you again,

MSgt Marsha  (Air Force)

Dear Kathy,

I am a deployed soldier from San Angelo, Texas.  I am a National Guard soldier serving active duty in Egypt.  We are part of a peacekeeping force that hasn't been so peaceful.  The war in Iraq has pushed many terrorist into other countries like Syria, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt.  I would like to that you for all the work you do for the soldiers overseas.  For every letter you received there are at least 20 that you have touched that you don't know about.  We love to get things form back home.  I hope you enjoy your new life in your marriage.  I am 34 and will turn 35 in June, I have been married to my best friend and beautiful bride for over 5 years now.  I LOVE IT!!!  I have 3 precious girls that miss me back in Texas.  Ariel-14, Maci-2, and Jami-1.  I miss them very much.  Keep doing what your doing because you make a difference!!!

Thanks,

James

Just a note to say thanks for all the gifts and nice thoughts.  It means a lot to hear from some nice folks that you will most likely never even meet.  Makes me proud to serve such a great country with great people. 

SSG
1-124 CAV

Kathi,
I'll look forward to the shipment.  I cannot tell you again how much this means to the soldiers.  They are amazed by the support and generosity of the folks back home. 
Happy Easter!
Rick

Thank you for your nice gift I must confess I took two packages. I really missed popcorn and did not realize that you had written both letters. Enclosed is the staff at our health unit at our Christmas party in the Embassy of Baghdad. What a nice letter you wrote it was so personable and reminded me of home. Please say hello to all of the folks back home and to your "older husband" and I know that a lot of people back home are having a harder time because we are in Iraq.  Now off to pop the corn- I recall that popcorn is made near Goshen Indiana.

Curt
DOS Medical Unit,
U.S. Embassy Baghdad               

All is well in Taji, Iraq and I would like to thank all the folks in your organization that have put forth a great effort to support the Soldiers of the IRON KNIGHT battalion.  I have received all of the c-rats for the month of March. The number of boxes worked out just right...Again I want to thank you folks for the outstanding support for the Soldiers.  Take care and God Bless

Respectfully,
CSM Ricky
1-66 AR, IRON KNIGHTS

3-10-06

Thank you

This can be a miserable place.  The days are long and never ending, the family is at home holding down the fort, and the comforts of normal life seem a million miles away.  It can wear you down.  I am only now entering my 2^nd month deployed to Baghdad and I know the feelings that live on the very edges of our psyche.  We try not to think of them as they make this job a whole lot harder.  Someone once told me that the second word of Homesick is sick for a reason. There are bright spots however, and one of those is the support that we receive from folks back home.

It would be redundant of me to say how important it is for us to communicate with our family and friends while we carry out our mission.  People much more eloquent then I have tackled this subject.  Suffice to say, when a package or e-mail arrives from the kids, the wife, or Mom it allows us all to escape for a few minutes.  To daydream, so to speak, of a place where you are surrounded by the ones you love and danger is not lurking just beyond the horizon. Many of the folks that receive packages make comments like ‘it smells like home’ or ‘I have been waiting on this one…’. Typically they have not been waiting long, sometimes it just seems that way when you are deployed.  Others simply take their packages and retreat into the sanctity of their tents. There they open the care packages with no one else around.  Crying in public is not something a soldier does well.

Packages and communications from loved ones only make up a small piece of the support I mentioned.  Many of us have experienced the outpouring of gratitude from the American public.  People we don’t even know take their time to help.  For instance there is a woman in Oregon that has been assisting in getting my messages to you.  She selflessly volunteers her time for someone she doesn’t even know, spending countless hours editing my work and providing positive feedback for me to continue my efforts.

This is not an isolated instance.

Millions of Americans join forces with private organizations to provide care packages for our soldiers.  Grade school student write cards thanking us for our service, families bake cookies, teenagers volunteer time to wrap and mail, and average folks take the extra time at the supermarket to pick up something they think we might need.  These packages are a lifeline for us.  There are instances where we can go weeks between messages from home. These are the times that the care packages mailed by you the citizens of the United States, carry us through.  Every piece of candy, every card, every cookie and every baby wipe is used. Your packages of care truly make a difference.

We the troops of your armed services are truly appreciative of all the support you provide.  Whether it be a letter from home, help from and unknown friend (Elise), or a care package with cards from the local elementary school.  Your support carries us through, enables us to do our best and makes an otherwise miserable existence bearable. Thank you America for your service!

Kathi,
Thanks for all you and your organization do.  The soldiers are extremely grateful for the morale and personal items from the folks back home.  Our current area of operations is pretty desolate.  The reminders of support from home are extremely important.  All of you are the real heroes for supporting us.

Chaplain (Captain) Rick
TF 1-6 Infantry

Greetings from Camp Al Asad, Iraq!!!!

My name is Mike from Combat Logistics Battallion-2, Motor Transport Maintenance. We have received your box of goodies and I wanted to personally thank you on behalf my fellow Marines. We truly appreciate the time and effort that you’ve shown to support various military personnel. It’s amazing how much an impact it makes on the troops to know that someone back in the states cares enough to send packages. It really boosts our morale. I’ve sent some pictures of our day-to-day live at the shop for you and the children. I hope you enjoy them.

1-27-06

Thanks for the care package and your prayers.  My name is Brandon and I am in the Air Force.  I am currently deployed in Djibouti, Africa.  It's a small world because my home base is Andrews in Washington DC.  Djibouti is located on the horn of Africa east of Ethiopia and north of Somalia.   

It's strange but even a letter from a total stranger can brighten up Soldiers day.  Sometimes the news doesn't always reflect the image of support from back home so hearing from letters makes everything seem worth while. 

Thanks for the prayers and support again.

 Brandon

3-4-06

Hello again from Camp Speicher, Iraq.  I want to give an update on our progress here and what is going on in our day to day lives.  Rain, Mud, and Storms.  That sums it up.  The weather is not too cold. It is usually around 50 to 70 degrees in the day and a little colder at night. Fog in the morning, dust storms, and thunder storms keep us out of the sky from day to day.  You wouldn’t think you could have a dust storm right after a long rain but the weather here begs to differ. I have attached a few pictures that were shot within the last few weeks.  We continue to have a blast giving the kids stuffed animals. Nothing funner then banking an aircraft at over 130 MPH to get right over some kids and send down stuffed animals and toys. Santa never had that much fun.

Moral is high. We have been having talent shows, game nights, movies nights, karaoke, and much more.  It has been tuff to keep up with all the letters coming to us. I will continue to write back. I can just picture a young boy or girl getting a letter from a soldier.  It makes you feel important. Thank you all again for your continuous support.  We’ve seen improvements all over and more is being done each and every day.

Thank you

Sincerely

Kevin

Ms. Brown

First of all thanks for your support of the troops while they are away.  I can see that your organization is committed to serving the troops.

Our unit here is actually quite blessed with everything we have.  We have exchange services, a galley, laundry, and MWR facilities.  I however do recognize that not all service members are as lucky as we are here.  If you would like I will try and get you the address and contact info of a unit that needs your items more than we do.

Again thank you for your service and if their is anything else I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask


Mike

On behalf of all the troops stationed overseas, I would like to thank you for the care packages that were sent out. Myself and the Airman who gave me your address, are friends from the state whom were deployed together. We were handed the goodies you sent us, and it did brighten up our day. It is easy to get down when you are in an area that is not friendly due to the country you are from, but for every degrading thing said to me while I’m here doing my job, there are a thousand voices from home cheering us on.  Sometimes we need to be reminded on that note. our time here will be  short, but our memories will last forever, good or bad. Thank You for giving us one more good memory.

 Andrew

1-31-06

Desirah/Hollie/Mae,

 My name is Staff Sergeant Paul.  I am currently a soldier serving in Baghdad, Iraq.  I received a package from you guys about a week and a half ago.  I apologize that it has taken me a little while to respond, I have been doing a lot of traveling lately.  I would like to personally thank you for the package you guys sent me.   The care and effort you guys have put into the cards you sent means more to me and the soldiers here than we will ever be able to express.  It’s always so great to see that people are supporting us, regardless of their beliefs about the war.  It is that much more special knowing that a lot of these people are from my home town... 

 Although I am an "Army Brat", I spent most of my life in Woodbridge.  I went to Woodbridge Senior High School and graduated in 2000 (hopefully that doesn’t put me in the old people category).  I was part of the JROTC there.  JROTC is what made me want to join the Army.  Please send my personal thanks to the Marine JROTC program at Garfield. 

I have sent some of the cards out to the guys at my unit.  We have guys all over Iraq, and they all enjoy the great contribution you have made for the soldiers.  I could not begin to explain the difference the care that you guys have shown for us has made.  For you ladies to start a card drive that has become this huge is such an amazing thing.  I hope you remember the good that you guys have done here throughout your life....I know I will.

Please let me know you got this email.  Thanks

Paul

2-7-06

Dear Sheri and Steve,

You really don’t know me, but I want to thank you for your support and the support of the Valley Outreach Synagogue.  I am an Admin Chief here in Fallujah, Iraq and we received one of your boxes today.  The Marines out here are really amazed at the outpouring of care and support that have been reaching us from all over America from groups such as yours.  Your packages that obviously were hand packed meant a great deal to the Marines serving here on the base.  Getting a new pair of socks to run in, a new razor, a snack and such may seem like trinkets to some, but to the Marines on the post, it isn’t just something useful or nice to have, it is a very tangible connection to our country and to friends we don’t even know.  The psychological impact that these care packages have is tremendous.  It almost feels like that we are all one big family and we are able to lean on each other in times of crisis.  I want to thank you and your organization on behalf of the Marines and sailors of Fallujah, many of whom will not be able to thank you personally, for what you are doing. 

I have the pleasure of serving with fantastic men and women who get up every morning ready to accomplish any task assigned out of love of country and desire to personally be responsible for protecting our freedom.  It is people such as yourself that make it evident that what America stands for is something special and valuable.  It is generosity of spirit and willingness to get involved which characterizes the American people and helps color our national character.  Please accept my thanks on behalf of these Marines, and accept our thanks for your support, care and unselfishness.

Semper Fi,

SSgt

II MEF Forward

11-30-05

Sharon,

 Please relay my thanks to all concerned who participated in your treats for GIs.
 We are at Guantanamo Bay NAS, Cuba part of the force watching to protect the detainees held here from harm, both from outside forces and from themselves. Although, we are not under fire like those of our brothers and sisters in Iraq or Afghanistan, we are far from our homes and families. Most of us are members of the National Guard: fathers, mothers, sisters,
 and brothers who represent today's Minutemen stepping up to answer our nation's call to arms. We keep a watch on some of the most evil and vicious men you can imagine, and despite the constant wash of slander and missiles of invectives from the uninformed press and misguided "useful idiots" your sons are carrying on trying their best to be professional,
 and do right by all the ideals we share as Americans. The guards on the block bear an unusual amount of abuse from detainees and from the world's
 anti-US press, but I am proud of the work we do, and the way they conduct themselves. Before any bar of justice, whether of man or God, they will be able to stand with heads unbowed for their conduct as soldiers, while on the job here.
 Once again, thank-you and the children for their thoughtful gifts and prayers.
 

Hello to Ms Cotner, Ms Lange, and all the TEDDY BEAR DAYCARE kids,

I want to thank you for all my soldiers, who where VERY HAPPY to receive a package from all of you.  It is also very hot here in Egypt (90-105 it has cooled down.  It was great to see the pictures.  One of the hardest parts of the deployment is being away from family.  I have two daughters, Renee-7, and Sydney-3.  I also have a soldier with a 2 year old daughter (Kaya).  When the deployment is over we will have been here for 1 year.  We are hoping to be home next year in January sometime.  Your packages and pictures help to bring up morale, thanks again!