Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon, Inc.

From a wonderful thank you card from the Staff of 8D, Landstuhl RMC in Germany:
"What you do doesn't go unseen, your work is very much appreciated. Thanks," A1C Morgan J.; "Thanks," LCDR P., "Thanks for your donation. The patients will love it." LT H., Army Nurse Corps; "Thank you for your donation to our patients - I'm sure they'll enjoy it," Christine M, Civ. Nurse; "Thank you for your support," LT. K, Navy Nurse Corps; "Thanks for giving to our patients. What a great distraction for them!" CPT Stephanie J., Army Nurse Corps; "Thank you," Cecilia; "We appreciate your generosity and kindness to our patients. You have my Thanks and gratitude," LCDR H.; "Thank you so much for everything," SPC P.; "Thanks so much for your generosity," PJ and Max; "thank you!" Jodi; "Thanks for taking care of our soldiers and for your support." Marci; "You're great. Thank you." LT R., USN; "Thank you," SPC H.; March 12, 2008

The X-Boxes have arrived and we are in the process of rigging it up to a wide screen projector in our multi-purpose room.  The room is only half built but it has heat and chairs as well as some dart boards and other games.  Our replacements have arrived (they are all Guardsmen as well from around the country) and we will be leaving them in great shape with plenty of games and supplies, thanks to Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon.  I have lost track of the total amount of supplies that have constantly arrived at our location through out our deployment.  As we would start running low on something, more would show up the following month.  Every single item is used and greatly appreciated.  From all the men and woman from the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and our local friends in the villages surrounding Manas AB,  Thank you!  Chief Dan C., 2-22-08

We received this lovely note with lots of signatures from the 31st CSH in Baghdad:
This holiday season, my staff and I want to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for the tons of stuff you have sent to the 31st CSH. I use the laptops almost daily, the DVD players went to our 2 private rooms for the occasional U.S. soldier to enjoy. The X-Box got passed onto a group of lower enlisted -- they were blown away! The countless bath and body products, bakery cookies, movies, cappuccino machine and dry erase markers were most welcome. But honestly, the crock pot is our favorite! We are getting in the habit of making soups and learning how to cook with limited resources. Thank you ever so much for faithfully sending us love from the home front.  Sincerely, LTC Karen H. and the ICU staff, SPC Melody K (Sunshine), SPC Peter O., SSG K, CPT Leigh T., SPC G., LT W., SPC L., SPC B., SPC G., "OG" and all the team, January 2008

This comes from the wife of a commander we support:
The children and I want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you give to our wonderful soldiers. I know that you and all your supporters have worked very hard to make Christmas special, and I want you to know that you all have made ours here at home go easier. It is so heart warming and peaceful to hear spouses talk about the things their soldiers are receiving. And how thankful they all are of how well they are taken care of. Thank you ALL for making our separation more tolerable by caring for our Brave Heroes. We have been blessed by such an amazing group.
I pray every day that the Lord will keep blessing you guys and will help provide means for you all to continue such an amazing project until we can bring ALL our Brave Soldiers Home to their families and friends. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year. Hugs.  December 2007.   (thank you Margie for all YOU do for the soldiers' families and thanks for this really special note) 

Thank you all for your generosity - many soldiers with the 31st Combat Support Hospital are just a little fresher today thanks to you!! Can't tell you how much all of the support from home means as we face the holidays deployed! Sincerely, Jennifer P., LTC Army nurse, December 2007 (from a card)
Thanks so much for the HUGE stocking! Thank you notes are already in the mail for the kids who donated the present. The hygiene stuff was also fantastic. I shared the package with my S2 Shop (intel shop), the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) where I work, and the Ugandans who help guard our FOB. Thanks so much! I was shocked at how quickly it arrived.  Just to give you some perspective...In combat, everyday is a Monday. Some Monday's include lots of overtime, or going in early, and others are your standard 12-13 hour shift. Some days mortar rounds impact on your walk to work, and other days the gunfire is in the distance. On my Christmas, your box arrived and it was nice to have a little pick me up during the holidays. We only get mail 2x a week. Your package was much appreciated and provided nice distraction and a good lift of the spirits. Thanks for all your support!  SSG Scott S, Baqubah, Iraq, 12-27-07
Happy Holidays! Thank-you so much for the generous gifts you sent me and my Soldiers. You and your organization help maintain a high morale in our unit. Please see attachment for some holiday photos from our unit. Again, thanks and hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Hannah (CPT Hannah B., 86th CSH, Mosul, Iraq, 12-25-07

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Just wanted to let everyone know that all of my buddies and myself would like to thank you for all of the generous packages you sent us. We have so much food here...........ugh! Can't eat anymore! Just kidding. Although there is no snow here, we took all of our Christmas trees, ornaments, and stockings to decorate our rooms. They look convincing enough to us. The temperature has dropped pretty far at night, but we all just got heaters, so the cold isn't much of a bother to us. The city and its outskirts are still very calm (too calm for us!), and it appears to remain this way until we leave. It's quite a pleasant change from last year. Once again, we all would like to send our appreciation for all of your support and patience. Please enjoy your holiday season, and be safe. CPL Robert B., 12-25-07

We continue to receive lots of stuff which continues to bring smiles. I received many stockings today and have distributed the goodies. All the troops loved the assortment of candies and really everything. My personal favorite was the Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort flavored coffee. Sweet!! We have tons of stockings and everyone here is in the holiday spirit. We are really taking good care of one another, now with the holidays approaching. We have many young troops that have never deployed and this is their first time away from their families. The Adopt-a-Soldier folks have made us very comfortable here. It is a warm feeling to know that folks back home are taking time out of their busy schedules and making a difference for the troops overseas. You all are very special. We do what we do because of Americans like all of you. Take care. Happy Holidays from the 376 ESFS!!! CMSgt Dan C., Kyrgyzstan, 12-17-07

We just got off the road after like three straight missions and recieved a bunch of boxes. I will look through them and see if there are any from Frontier. All of us are keeping up spirits in the holiday season and appreciate your support so much. We are going to try and do a group picture of all of us if we can ever all get together, haha. Well gotta run, another mission tomorrow! Thanks the best & Happy Holidays! 2nd Squad. SSGT Phillip S., Iraq, 12-17-07

You are, unfortunately, too correct that the hospital in Baghdad has been incredibly busy. As such, it has been much too long since receiving the X-Box 360 and now when I'm finally writing you a much deserved thank you note.

The X-Box arrived shortly after our last conversation, delayed only slightly by whatever magic works in the military mail system. Shortly after receiving the gift, I notified the Hospital Commander and his Deputies so that we could make a presentation to the Intensive Care Ward 1, the ward responsible for treating Coalition Soldiers injured around the Baghdad area.

The staff was ecstatic at receiving the gift, but not nearly as much as the patients. Those who have been wounded in theater suffer the most from lowered morale. Seeing the excitement in the faces of some of the patients who were currently limited in their mobility after realizing that they could lay in the relative comfort of their bed, playing Halo 3 or any of the other games you all sent, all on their wireless controller, truly did brighten their moods.

We, as a society, can often overlook how the accessories that we take for granted in our lives make all the difference to those who find themselves without. It is truly a blessing that there are organizations like yours that have not forgotten that fact and do all they can to bring joy to those who feel like they've lost so much. It's always important to never forget that while you might just be one man to the world, you might be the world to one man.
Thank you all for all that you do and for your gifts. Knowing that there are people willing to sacrifice their time, effort, and money makes our sacrifices a little easier.  Sincerely, CPT Jon M., 86th CSH, Baghdad, Iraq, 12-5-07

Thank you! The halloween candy got here today. I dont think ANY will make it to the kids. I opened the box, came back an hour later and half was gone and my company (which we pulled most of them in for T-day) was sitting around a garbage can of wrappers with smiles on their faces - the candy went over much better than the turkey did. It is the first abundance of non-melted chocolate we have gotten all year. Barnes ate every Reese's I think there was! Again thank you and hope your t-day was great!  1SG Paul W., 412th CA Bn, Iraq 11-23-07

Good morning, We just started receiving lots of individual boxes from you folks. We have so much stuff now we have set up a warehouse for all the Security Forces personnel. Our ladies received their gloves which were the perfect style and fit. Great timing because we received 11 inches of snow the other day. Everything we have received is getting plenty of use. Thank you so much for all the childrens crayons, markers, coloring books, etc. When we pass these things on to the kids they are just wide eyed little kids and it reminds us all of home. The kids are what makes the time go by better here. We certainly couldn't do this with out your help. Please thank all of your crew for the personal notes and packages. When this whole deployment is over, I would like to bring some of my troops down to thank our supporters in Southern CT. Take care, CMSgt Dan C., 376th AEW, Kyrgyzstan, 11-16-07 

I recieved a shipment today and am extremely grateful, they don't sell many Axe Products in the PX here and the guys here love it. The chicken soup packets went quick as well, thanks so much.  SFC Jason G., 2-183rd CAV, Kuwait 11-10-07

To all that helped support this mission and the welfare of our soldiers,
I just want to thank you for your contribution in our time of need. We appreciate everything you have done for us. All of you! Knowing that we are loved and cherished in different parts of the world, mean a lot to us. It has helped us through many nights of completing our mission, and many days of thinking of our loved ones and wanting to be surrounded by things that make us feel at home. You have brought home to us with your support, donations, cards and letters. It has filled an empty hole in my heart with love and care for those that remain nameless.
We are forever thankful for what you have done. And from the bottom of my heart we just want to say Thank You.  From SPC K and the soldiers of the 28th CSH here in Baghdad (from a letter received on Fri, Nov 9, 2007) 

I just wanted to write a quick note to you guys thanking you for the packages I recently received. Yesterday I got a box of personal hygeine items that I was able to hand out to quite a bit of the unit. And now today I received two more packages! Just knowing that there are people out there who are thinking of us and appreciate what we do does a lot for our morale. Thanks again, SFC Donny S., Baghdad, Iraq, 11-8-07

I just wanted to give a "thank you" for sending me the packages. We all appreciate them very much! Thank you for keeping us in mind and supporting us.  Sincerely, SGT Claudia K., USA, Iraq, 11-1-07
I wanted to thank you for all of your support and Unilever's support over the past year. The 28th CSH in both Baghdad and Mosul appreciate all that you have done to support the Soldiers and wounded warriors. God bless you, your company, and your families. v/r CPT Hope W., 28th CSH, 10-25-07

We also received a letter from CPT W. within the week:
"I wanted to thank you for the packages that I recently received from your organization. All the hair care products, drink mix, deodorant, and other items are absolutely wonderful. I have ensured that the items were handed out and distributed throughout the hospital here in Baghdad. All the soldiers and patients in our care appreciate your continued support. God bless.  Airborne!  CPT Hope W., 28th CSH

THANK YOU ADOPT-A-SOLDIER PLATOON. YOUR CARE PACKAGES AND OTHER DONATIONS WERE VERY MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED. GOD BLESS, SPC JIMMICA R., 28th CSH, Iraq, 10-24-07

We're just about ready to leave Iraq and I want to thank you and your organization for the outstanding and unconditional support of the 28th Combat Support Hospital. Our lives have been richly blessed as a result of your kindness and generosity. As we return home and resume our normal lives I hope that you will share with the Adopt-A-Soldier-Platoon my personal gratitude for your support. May God continue to bless you, your organization, and the many, many wonderful people who have supported us these past several months. Sincerely, CPT Andy M., Iraq, 10-24-07

I am writing from the well known Baghdad ER, not as a patient, but as a the NCOIC of the Staff which has the highest acuity of patient care outside the US. We are coming to the end of our 15 month deployment and would like to extend a very deserved and warm thank you for your support during this time. The packages that we received were utilized daily by our US and coalition forces and made us feel a little closer to home. Once again we thank you for the effort to OIF and your service to the 28th CSH.  SSG Tristan H., 10-24-07

I am with the 28th CSH and I would like to send my sincere thank you for all you have done for us. We appreciate all you have done for us while deployed. Thank you for a job well done, Lt Nicole R., 10-24-07

These comments were written on a post card received 10-22-07 from the 31st Combat Support Hospital:
Thank you so much for thinking of us. God bless you. SPC Peter O.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US! SSG Dave U.
We really appreciate it! Thank you!! 1LT Montaque J.
Thanx for the (crock)pot! SPC Michael McG.
Thank you for everything! 1LT Tabatha P., RN
Thank you so much!! ... for everything! 1LT Lisa B.
Thank you for taking the time to send packages! We do enjoy them. LT W.
Thank you for all of your support. It's great appreciated. God Bless, SPC L.
Thank you so much for sending a little bit of home our way! 1LT Tom Y.

We received the 2 packages that you mentioned had gone out last week.  What a morale boost!!  It was fantastic treat for everyone.  Since we have only been here for a few days, the personal items were quite a hit because a number of people had lost, forgotten or run out of toothpaste, soap, etc. The school that sent it did not leave an address or contact information.  If that is available, please forward it so we can thank them.  Also, I am sure that people in your organization would want to see the impact on what you do for us. Thank you for your support!  It already means quite a bit to the people in our unit.  LCDR John D., Kuwait, 10-22-07

I wanted to thank you again for everything your program does for soldiers as well as for my Platoon and I. The support you and your organization provide gives my soldiers the comfort that there are people out there aside from their families that care for soldiers. For that I am that much more proud to be an American. I have you and your organization to thank for at least a part of that. Thank you very much for all you do.   SFC Jason G., Iraq 10-20-07 

I received your package a few days ago and wanted to tell you thanks for doing that. I'm in a California National Guard Field Artillery Battalion and we're in charge of defending our base. I shared your package with other soldiers and they were all appreciative.  Thanks again!  CPT Kevin Craw,  Iraq, 10-19-07

I just wanted to take a second and write you and thank you and everyone else for the packages you sent us. They have come in handy quite a few times. Being on the road we tend to use a lot of the smaller/travel size products you sent. I raffled off the DVD player and one of the younger soldiers won it and it made his day. I can't express how much your support means to us. We have had a few incidents and having the support of the people at home really means the world to us. Thank you and may God bless,  SSG Philip S., Iraq, 10-9-07

I just wanted to thank you and the Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon for providing us such unwavering support. It is not always easy to see the good that you do: The happy smiles at soldiers being diverted for a while or the looks of relief at finding just the right item when in desperate need. Your heartfelt generosity is deeply appreciated - it keeps us going and helps us help those we care for.  God bless and keep you.   MAJ Sandra M. and the staff of the Baghdad ER, 28th CSH, 9-30-07

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your contributions to the 28th Combat Support Hospital. You probably don't hear it enough, but please know how much everything you are doing is much appreciated. Your generous donations have helped to improve our quality of life in Baghdad. I know that I also speak for all of our patients when I express my gratitude. Sincerely, MAJ Tammy M, Baghdad, 9-6-07

Just a brief note to say thank you to you, and the entire Adopt-A-Soldier Platoon for all of the effort to remind our troops of home. As if coming to a foreign land was not challenging enough, to deal with the worst outcomes of war in a combat hospital can be an ordeal for patients and caregivers alike. Your donations of material and supplies are distributed to our Soldiers in need and remind them that the support from those at home is unwavering, and propels them to go on with the struggle for those ideals we are most proud to see in Americans. Please let those who continue their tireless efforts on your front know that they are appreciated.  Most gratefully,   MAJ Robert E., Baghdad, 8-31-07

I would like to say thank you for taking the time out of your day to prepare some wonderful and useful care packages for the 28th CSH, IBN Sina hospital. We are glad to know that there are wonderful people back at home supporting us through our everyday mission here in IRAQ. :-)  SPC Monika S., Baghdad, 8-28-07

I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the pleasures of our MWR room and Gym while deployed here at Ibn Sina. Both of these areas are very comfortable and stocked so well that we could not want for anything. Your thoughtfulness and great kindness toward the deployed soldiers does not go unnoticed. It is encouraging and refreshing to know there are so many supporters of the men and women deployed during this conflict. Often, your generosity is a source for renewal and rejuvenation of our spirits and morale toward our mission. We are indebted to you and I am very grateful for your service to our military.  Many Thanks, 1LT Kaitlyn C., Baghdad, 8-25-07

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for "Adopt a Soldier's" support of deployed soldiers. The morale and welfare items that your organization sends to the soldiers go a long way to easing the daily stressors that come with being deployed away from family and friends. They certainly brighten my day. Thank you! MAJ Eric McC, Baghdad, 8-25-07

I just want to thank you all for the contributions you all have made to men and women in uniform here at Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad. The things you guys have donated and supported us with have made this deployment much easier than my last. So to you I say THANK YOU! And GOD BLESS!  SGT Jessy M, 8-25-07

I work at Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad Iraq. I just wanted to email you and say thank you all that you have done for us by sending us boxes while we are deployed over here. We really appreciate from the bottom of our hearts everything that you do for us. Thank you so much and may God bless you. SSG Julia J, Baghdad, 8-25-07

Hi, I have 9 boxes here ....... And the Cappuccino machine made it safe and sound. What a hoot you are! Most of the hygiene items traveled well, a few shampoo bottles opened up here and there, thank you so much for having the volunteers put them into zip lock bags! The sheet sets were incredibly generous, wow. I'm sure some soldiers will love them. Thanks ever so much.  MAJ Karen H., 31st CSH, 8-15-07

Just received all the towels, and handed them out to the ICU's and the ICW's. They were all incredibly grateful and eager to take them out of my office!! I had to ensure they were divided equally amongst the four sections.  CPT Mike C. 28th CSH, Iraq, 7-28-07 

Thank goodness the laptops made it after all.  You have no idea how delighted the staff is … most of my night shift are enrolled in college courses and need computer time.  Internet and phone access are the biggest MWR challenges here. The cookies in the box were a sweet surprise!  Already gobbled up!  The MPs who work on my ward partake in the goodies!  I set everything out on the back desk like a mini PX.  It is fun to watch folks get thrilled over the simple pleasures in life.  The scented body and shower gels continue to be a big hit here since we can only find generic products in the PX.  But, in all honestly, the dry erase markers put us over the top.  I have to laugh when my staff goes to the milvan to check mail twice a day – whoever gets to check on mine usually has boxes to lug back now ... but don’t they just love gathering around and enjoy digging in!  I am still amazed at how much time and energy your organization devotes to the soldiers … nothing like my previous deployment. Many thanks, MAJ Karen H., 31st CSH, Iraq, 7-28-07

You can no longer say to me "I will see what we can do". Your new response should be "no problem, we will get it!" It is truely amazing the generosity and creativity of the people associate with the organization. Amazing. All of you make my job much easier. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, your kindness and generosity has helped so many more than any picture can show or any words I could ever write.  We are so grateful for your support. Today I had five of my soldiers standing around helping me open the packages. The things you send us (no matter how small they may seem to some) raise everyone's morale.  Thank you! 1SG Paul W., Iraq, 7-23-07

Please accept my sincere thanks on behalf of the Soldiers, NCOs and Officers of 2d Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, 4BDE, 2ID (Stryker Brigade Combat Team). Your Generosity and Support is above and beyond the call of duty. Your cause is noble, worthwhile, and extremely appreciated. Thank you very much for your outstanding support! Sincerely, LTC John D., Iraq, 7-23-07

We got the scrubs! Thank you so much for you and your people doing this! I can't tell you how much the nurses and
corpsmen appreciate the "color" around the tents now! It certainly has brightened the wards up! You and all the people involved are AWESOME! We will pass these on the Crew that will be relieving us so they can enjoy having some color in their deployment! Chaplain George M., Kuwait, 7-23-07

You guys have supported us in ways that are beyond all of our wildest dreams, sincerely. My soldiers and I cannot tell you how grateful we are for you and all of the generous people that associate themselves with your organization. Truly amazing. We "saved a little girls life" - that was because of your organization. Hell, you made it easy!  1SG Paul W., Iraq 7-21-07

I received the other package and I appreciate it very much - there was so much cool stuff in there. My co-workers loved the girl scout cookies and the tootsie roll pops.  I loved the DVD player and the chess, checkers game that will come in handy when we go underway. PLEASE LET THE TEAM KNOW I APPRECIATE THE PACKAGES THAT THEY SENT AND TELL THEM I SAID THANK YOU VERY MUCH. (email sent 7-12 from the Persian Gulf to a cousin working in Unilever)

Thanks so much for the generous donations!  It was overwhelming for me (and my staff as well) to receive so much useful stuff.  Our break room looks like a buffet table of all sorts of products and consumables  The big bottles of shower gel and scented body lotion was the biggest hit! We have plenty of access to essential items like lotion and shampoo, but the scented stuff is not available.  For some reason, vanilla and spice scented stuff is highly sought after. Many thanks and much appreciation, MAJ Karen H., Cropper Hospital, Iraq, 7-10-07

On behalf of all the marines in my flight line shop, I want to express my appreciation. The box I opened in the middle of the shop didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Everyone loved the contents, the instant iced tea tubes are always a big hit. They made me promise to send their thanks; we all admire your group and the mission you’ve taken up. It’s nice to feel supported by the people back home ... Our mission is to support the guys on the ground. As a crew chief I work some very long hours; the desert is an unforgiving environment for a helicopter. We fly all kinds of missions, some routine, and some that are pretty dangerous. But we are well trained, and we all look out for one another. A lot of progress has been made here in Anbar Province. This area of the “Sunni triangle” was called “lost” and “un-winnable” in the recent past, but many areas of it now serve as a model for the rest of Iraq and what we’re here to accomplish. Iraq is still not my idea of a goodtime, but it’s bearable and it’s a lot more comfortable thanks to groups like the Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon. I’m looking forward to coming home, we’re about half way done. Thanks once again for the package, I will send you a shop photo of all of us as soon as I can find one to attach to an email. Take care, and thank you for all you do for us. SGT Matt F., Western Iraq, 7-10-07

Thank You very much for the care package, It is greatly appreciated and I will share it with the soldiers in my platoon. I have just under 50 days left and am hoping to be back in the states in a couple months. I have been on the road a lot lately which is why it took so long for me to get the package and reply to you. Thank You and all your colleagues for your support and the Adopt-a- Soldier Platoon organization, it is needed with the hardships endured over here. SFC Earl McC., Iraq 7-10-07

Again, thanks for the wonderful thought you express to all service members deployed. You will never know the full impact of your heartfelt wishes and undying support to those who find their purpose in this long war even more engaged than anything they could have imagined.  LTC John P., Camp Anaconda, Iraq, 7-10-07
I wanted to write specifically to thank you for the second package I just received yesterday. As I'm guessing you know the powdered beverage mix is a big hit out here so those didn't stand a chance once the box was open. Pretty much everything you guys sent is spot-on with what our Marines use on a day-to-day basis which I'm guessing is a testament to how long you have been doing this and how many people you have reached out to. Again, your generosity is greatly appreciated by both myself and my Marines. I hope you had a great 4th of July. Ours was nice, we had a 'cookout' and had some burgers and hotdogs which were nice. As I mentioned in my last email, we are pretty fortunate out here to have all the creature comforts that anyone would ever need. Thank you all again very much for the love. Semper fidelis, Capt Kip R., western Iraq, 7-9-07

Everything is fine just counting the days ... hey it was 129 here the other day so can you send some cooler weather, how sad is it when 109 feels ok. Hope you all had fun on the 4th, we had no fireworks and that is just how we like it..... Thanks for all you do for the American military. CW3 Cliff B., Kuwait, 7-8-07

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and generous care package. I'm sure everything will be put to good use as I handed it out to my Marines and received several comments to the tune of, "aw sir, this is the good stuff." Our missions consist of supporting the Marines and soldiers on the ground in any way they need it. Again, from me and from all the Marines in the squadron, thank you! CPT Kip R., Iraq, 7-4-07

Happy 4^th of July to all of YOU!!!  And thanks for all YOU do in support of FREEDOM!

John (MAJ John McA., 209th ASB), 7-4-07

All is well here - I brought a few of my teams back for the 4th. We are eating and hanging out, took a well earned day off for them! Still have a few guys working (unavoidable).  Update on Baby Mariam: Baby Mariam should be done with her first surgery and recovered from it by 20 July. Her dad is going to bring her in for a check up with my medic, SSG C., on or about then. Thanks for everything!  1SG Paul W., 412th CA Bn, 7-4-07

Hello Everyone and Happy 4th of July: What a great day to celebrate our independence. I hope everyone enjoys this day and is able to spend some time with family and friends. All us soldiers appreciate all that you do for us back in the States. Be safe and enjoy the holiday.  SSG Victor S., 28th CSH, Iraq, 7-4-07

Thanks very much, and thank you all for the awesome support.  Happy 4th!

v/r, LTC John D., Iraq, 7-4-07

Thank You... from Camp Anaconda Balad IRAQ. The skies here are clear, but when we are looking really hard we can see your display of fireworks. Tonight for us it has been quiet ... I guess these bad guys know we want a fire work show ... but it's better this way. I hope you all have a great fourth! God Bless ... We have been busy, to include getting ready for our counterparts to take over soon. I will be extending another year, but in another capacity in Kuwait. I just wanted to say: You and your team have been great! generous! and patient! during this entire OIF year and I also want to say thank you for being there for me personally...your support has given us a sense of home...you are family.
CPT Robt. V, Camp Anaconda, July 4, 2007 

Other than it is so much hotter everything else is OK. I see you guys are still chugging along with the support of us that is great. It was 122 here the other day. Take care, CW3 Cliff B., Kuwait, 7-3-07

Right on, AaSP!!!   MAJ John McA, 6-30-07

Thank you for sending the video player. The team and myself will enjoy and use to get our minds off this wonderful place. It is unbelieveable the job you do for us soldiers. Again we thank you and please pass this on to all involved. Sorry I haven't sent alot of comms but the operating room is a real jungle. The flow of patients never stops.
MAJ Bruce M, Ibn Sina Hospital, Iraq, 6-30-07

Awesome … thank you so much.  I still can’t believe you guys did the DVD player thing.  I’ll put that thing to good use.  And all the other snacks and goodies in here are great as well.  Please pass my thanks along to everyone involved in the effort of putting these all together.  I really enjoyed seeing the pics you e-mailed a while back of some folks prepping the packages to go out.  I’m going to come do that with you guys someday!  ;-) MAJ John McA, 6-25-07
I would like to thank you and your organization (adopt a soldier platoon) for the support you have given to the men and women over here in the military. I received a package today filled with assortment of snacks and soldier care items. Myself and the soldiers in my unit appreciate these items. The DVD player was a nice surprise. It feels good to know there are individuals like you and your organization that support the military. Your efforts and support has truely made a difference over here. Thanks.  MSG Brian T.  6-23-07 

Thanks for being there and taking such good care of the soldiers. I know most people do not realize what they do makes such a big difference in the lives of the soldiers but I was there, I saw the light in their eyes when the packages came in and they were allowed to shop thru the boxes. I truly think it saved the sanity of one of my enlisted soldiers during a very bad time for her. She spent an hour just browsing thru the box, looking at the goodies and deciding what she wanted, she was able to open the box first and make 1st choice. She cried and rocked but left smiling, what a privilege to be a part of in someone's life. MAJ Linda M. (former adoptee with 10th CSH), 6-19-07 

I can not thank you and Unilever for all you have done for the troops. Your support truly does bring a little piece of joy to our deployment hardship. Thank You. CPT Devon L, 28th CSH, 6-10-07

Wow, what an amazing thing to wake up to! Unbelievable. Now what am I going to do for the next ten days? ;o) The people that are a part of your organization have really stepped up to the plate and they did so with such dignity - it only took you 12 hrs to raise ALL that money, that is amazinging. We are all so grateful. (from 1SG Paul W. when he learned AaSP had raised all the money he needed for the little Iraqi girl's operation.) 6-6-07

If you want to read a powerful story, CLICK HERE to read a letter to the Unilever Ambassadors Club from SFC Frank Maciel. 6-6-07

The Laser Pointers came in the other day - and they are VERY good ones. They are perfect, put smiles on the few joe's I gave them to yesterday. They will save a lot of innocent people from having their cars ruined, or even worse, dying. I gotta run, more later. THANK YOU!!!  1SG Paul W, 412th CA Bn, 6-2-07

From the crew of the U.S.S. Bataan, I want to thank you for the care package I received. It was exactly what I missed about home. The soups, the relaxing teas and everything else got here exactly the right moment. So thank you again. Everything was shared and enjoyed to the fullest.
v/r IT2 (sw/aw) Merle S., U.S.S. Bataan LHD-5
(upon hearing of the Yankees and Braves great souvenir donations to the Camp Anaconda): WOW! Right On!! This is Great. I don't know what to say...the Leagues here are going to go wild. CPT Robt. V, 657th ASG 5-10-07 

(upon hearing of Fathead donating four large MLB logo cutouts for the softball field on Camp Anaconda):
Our Softball Field just took a hit from rough weather, but we are working to get it back into shape. The Fathead's Giant Cut-Outs are going to look great! Please let your connection with Fathead.com know we really appreciate what they are doing for us. Alot of the soldiers are feeling kind of down due to the recent 3 month extension into theater ... so what you are doing for us may feel small, but over here those are the things that makes our morale high and keeps us going. Thank You very much Rob, Thank You for all your work and doing what you can for us. All of us here In Camp Anaconda will never forget.  CPT Robt. V, Camp Anaconda 4-23-07

I wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful care package you all sent. The contents of the package were awesome and they are making being away from home a little easier. I love the movie "The Departed"! I am watching now as I write. Thanks again for your support. It means so much to all of us over here. Thank you for all you do. CPT. Spencer R., Iraq 4-17-07
Greetings from Mosul, Iraq. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in your organization for the package that I received. I truly appreciate your generosity. all the items were wonderful, and it was obvious that a lot of thought & care was put into the package. God bless you all.  AIRBORNE! CPT. Christina W., 28th CSH, Mosul, Iraq. 4-17-07
I got the box today thanks -- we are all coffee and sugar up. I passed around everything except me and CW B.  are keeping the water bottles,pistachios and 1 bottle of the beef jerky. One the guys commented on what great stuff the AaSP sends out - not cheap stuff he added. And then I showed the autograph poster that was great I am huge nascar fan - have been since the 70's. So they are a little jealous, but I said I share everything. Thanks again, CW3 Clifford B., Camp Anaconda, Iraq, 4-11-07

(This email was sent to a child at the Bryan School, Cresskill, NJ, and shared with us):
To all Hi from IRAQ,

How are you all doing? I want to thank you for the letter it was very nice, I am going to answer some of the questions that was asked of me. Can you guess which one of you wrote the letter? I will give you a hint first name started with a "H".

1. Do I like being a soldier? I love it I have been in Army Aviation for 20 years.

2. Have you seen any animals? Well just some camels in Kuwait, but here in Iraq only birds, and a cat. But since summer is coming we have lots and lots of bugs, the mosquitos over here are white.

3. How is the weather? Temperature here are running in the mid 90's during the day and 70's at night by June we will in 100's. So just a little warmer there.

4. Have I been in a sand storm? Not yet, here in Iraq we have no sand but the dirt here is very fine like baby powder so it goes and gets into everything. But in Kuwait it is sand there.

5. I can send pictures if you like just let me know.

Feel free to write again.... Thanks again, CW3 Clifford B., Camp Anaconda, Iraq 4-9-07

I would like to thank you for the package that we received from your organization. I know the soldiers I work with surely appreciate the contents. I want again thank your organization for all the support you have given over the years and continue to do. Your organization brings smiles to soldier's faces and hope. With everything else that is going around, it nice to know that there are inidividuals out there that care about them. Thanks again. MSG Brian T 4-7-07

For the past few days we have been receiving packages from your organization. They are AWESOME- the soldiers really appreciate the support!! All of the items are being used and much needed and appreciated. Your packages content show a lot of thought was put into the soldiers and their needs. Again Thank you for your tremendous support!!! CPT Howard G, NJ ARNG, Iraq 4-5-07

(This email came to our Red Hat Ladies angel, Carmen, who shared it with us. With her (and the sender's) ok:

Oh my!!!  The Red Hat Ladies strike again!  Hehe.  My folks swiped the whole package out of my office before I could even get a look at the cards and picture inside!  Carmen, I think you'll get all my e-mail thank you's anyway because it sounds like you're good at distributing them to everyone.  So let me say, hello Ladies!

Ok, now let me back up and tell you about these packages.  First, Carmen, I received "Joe's Box" the day before yesterday but waited until yesterday to open it.  I knew the extra special love that went into that one so I wanted to make sure I set aside some time to really enjoy not only the wonderful things inside, but also just the act of opening it and then also the sharing of things with many of my Soldiers.  That might be easier to understand if you think of it like Christmas ... for me, the actual contents of the package are often times what matters least.  But thank you so much for the contents of that special box.  The genuine caring for Soldiers couldn't be more evident.  I'm still in the process of passing out all the personal hygiene items and batteries and other goodies. And as if that weren't enough, just this morning I received another box from all of you.  To truly appreciate your impact, I have to tell you a little bit about how I get my mail. 

Of course all of the mail that comes to the base arrives by plane and is off-loaded at a central location.  Unit representatives go to this location in big trucks and load up all the mail for their unit.  So back here in my company area we are all busily at work when the mail truck pulls in.  Word spreads quickly, and usually within about a minute or two there are Soldiers from each of the Platoons in the Company gathered around the back of the truck waiting for the packages to be handed down.  Everything is sorted by Platoon, and then those piles are carried back to the Platoon areas where the mail is handed out to the Soldiers.  Because I'm the Company Commander, the Soldiers in Headquarters Platoon grab all my mail and bring it over to me.  Ok, that's the background you need.  Hehe.

This morning when the mail came, I just happened to be walking back from somewhere and paused out there by the truck to watch the mail come off and talk to some of the Soldiers.  As I'm standing there one of the guys on the
truck who has seen me lets me know I have a box as he hands it to the person making the Headquarters pile.  Coincidentally, that person was Sergeant Elizabeth B.  She runs our Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) program
for me.  She has benefited from your generosity in the past, so as soon as she saw the box with "Red Hat Ladies" written on it she got a big smile on her face and exclaimed, "ooooh, the Red Hat Ladies...this is a girl's box!"
And she held the package close to herself, as if to shield it from me. 

I laughed and said, "hey, wait just a minute...who is that thing addressed to?"  Then we laughed together as we headed to my office, where I just had her go ahead and open the box.  So she cut the tape and flipped one of the box flaps open and looked inside.  Then she got a devilish grin as she flipped the flap back down really fast and said, "this isn't only girl stuff."  We were all laughing again and I said, "oh yeah?"  And her comment of course drew the attention of the other males in the room who quickly realized that they may be able to score some goodies now too.
I'll have to cut this loooong story short here because I have to run, but let me summarize the rest like this...THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL PACKAGE! I'll be back a little later to share some more with you.  Happy Wednesday! John - MAJ John McA, 3-28-07

I just wanted to take a minute and personally thank you for everything you have done for me and my men. Your care packages have done so much. Words can't describe how nice a feeling it is to know that there are so many people back home supporting us. Please convey my gratitude to everyone who has been so helpful to us throughout this deployment.  SSG Nathan K, 3-19-07

I came across some interesting information today when I was visiting with my Iraqi friends -- that you will never see on the news. Get this --under Saddam, kids had to learn english or basic english based not on American English but from England. Also, they said that the Shia and Sunnis have always been killing each other, even under Saddam. And I guess cause they are trusting me more, one of them fessed up to being Sunni. He was quick to add we are all brothers here. I told him about gangs in America -- the only difference is that they fight over drugs, money, race, etc. Here is it religion motivated. I found that pretty interesting since their civil war does not expand past a 30 mile radius of Baghdad. And this is funny -- even though they can have 4 wives they said that was too many, way too many problems with that. Only farmers have more than one, for more farm hands to work I guess.  Thanks again and Take care. (this from one of our adoptees, 3-13-07)

You don't know how much of a difference you, your organization and all the contributors have done so far and I'm sure will continue to do.  Again, thank you for your patriotism and support, HOOAH!  CPT Alex T., 3-7-07

We (the entire Troop) appreciate you and your organization's hard work to make things a little bit better for us. We would also like to extend a BIG thank you to all of the orgainizations that have donated to your great cause. The support from the home front gives us more strength and endurance than you will ever know! CPT Howard G, 3-5-07

I wanted to thank you and the people there once again and let you know that I made it back to my wife and children safely and fairly painlessly. Your generosity and thoughtfulness will never be forgotten, and I only wish that we could do more for you all as you had taken such good care of us while we were deployed. I have been in contact with the other members of the team, and if they give me the ok, I will be mailing you some more pics of the things that we did before and during the deployment. Just some things we did to pass the time, and of the places in Iraq that we have seen.

On a more personal note, I hope that you continue making the people out in Iraq happy, because a little bit of home and knowing that people really are praying for you and thinking of you makes all the difference in the world.  V/R MAJ Richard McD. 2-20-07

Thanks for the Q-tips -- guys in our Prop/Rotor/NDI shop really needed them, I will send you a picture of them receiving them in the next couple of days, I feel it is important for these companies that donate know that it is really appreciated what they are doing.  CW3 Clifford B., 449th ASB, 2-11-07

Weeks in Iraq - 15.  I know it's been a while since you've heard from us but we have been incredibly busy doing detainee operations, convoys, boat missions, going to the gym and, of course, working parties! Actually we just received your last two packages the other day. They were shipped to Fallujah before they arrived here in Ramadi. Everyone in our squad loved everything that you gave to us. There was something in the packages for all of us. We started to count the days. We have been activated now for 8 months. It has been so difficult to be away from family and friends for so long. But it is almost over. I hope you got my last letter I wrote it almost immediately after the 1st package we received. Well, I just want to say thanks from us all, we really appreciate all you do for us. I hope to hear from you soon.  Thanks again, LCPL Andrew I., Semper Fidelis. (written letter, dated January 11, 2007, received Feb. 7, 2007)


Hey, I got the package that u sent, thank u so much. You did not have to do that but thank u so much for your kindness. I just got the news that I will be coming home in 7 days, thank god. Also all of my team wants to say thank u and we took some of the candy down to a village and passed it out to the kids and u should of seen the smiles we got. Thanks for helping us win the hearts and minds of the people here. Well I got to run but I will write again soon.
(Rcvd 2-07-07 from our Special Forces adoptee)

Hello, sorry that it took me so long to get back to u. right now I am out on a mission but I will be returning a few days. I got a email from dhl and they told me that the package was there and I will pick it up when I get back there. thank you so much for the support that u have given the men of special forces, we all thank u much. take care and be safe. (this from our adoptee in Special Forces, 1-27-07)

You guys are doing a great job and we appreciate that. Have a great day and let everyone involved in your organization know that you are really making an impact on the morale of the Soldiers in Iraq.
SGT Kevin McS, Public Affairs, 1-27-07

I just wanted to say thanks for the care packages sent to me while I was at Camp Bucca, Iraq.  The troops and I appreciate the "goodies" and for the support you provided not only us, but other military members  deployed.  I am now back in the US and back with my family.  I returned from Iraq on 12 Jan and arrived back at Patrick AFB on 19 Jan.  The reunion with my family was great and I was able to see my daughter's first Winter Color Guard competition on Saturday, 20 Jan.  I surprised my daughter by showing up at her school on Friday afternoon.  She knew I was in the States; however, she was not aware that I was returning home for good.  All has been great and again I would like to thank you and those who spent the time putting the care packages together for deployed troops across this world.  God Bless you and the U.S.A. Capt Sean L. 1-22-07