THANK YOU MESSAGES FROM OUR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ

I just wanted to send you a short note to say that thanks for the
generous box you sent us here at FOB Sharana, Afghanistan.

It was definitely a pleasure to get something nice like that in the
mail. We don't get a lot out here in the middle of nowhere, Afghanistan.
We deal with a lot of daily hardships here and getting support from
people like you all back in the States is so great. We have close to 100
people on the team, so you can imagine how fast the goodies disappeared
when the box was opened.

I hope all is going well back in Massachusetts. It must be getting
pretty cold by now. I am originally from Oklahoma, but went to college
in New York. I remember how brutal the Northeast winters would get and
how they would seem to start as early as September. So, I hope the
winter is not too bad on you all this year.

Please pass our thanks from here at Provincial Reconstruction Team at
FOB Sharana to anyone that had a hand in putting together this box. The
generosity of people back in the States astounds me sometimes and we
greatly appreciate it.

-CPT Patrick Considine
PRT Paktika

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I write as a British Army Officer serving in the NATO HQ in Kabul,
where one of my American colleagues has just handed me one of your
holiday care boxes.

I cannot begin to thank you enough for all your efforts. It means a
great deal to those of us serving far from home to know that others
are thinking of us and appreciate our efforts.

I was living in America on 9/11, serving on an exchange position with
the 82nd Airborne Division, with whom I then duly deployed to
Afghanistan. This is my 4th deployment, and the camaraderie between
Brits and Americans is just as it was in the previous 2 world wars.

Once again many thanks for your kindness.

Yours sincerely,

Jamie Loden
Major
HQ ISAF Kabul

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I’d like thank you for all your support and selfless service. It’s because of good people like you, I serve my country with pride and honor. My name is SPC Rene, Jessica with 5th brigade 2 ID and we are the ones serving in Afghanistan right now. It feels so good to be a part of history, to say that I served in the war. The only thing that hate about being here is being away from my family and my 1 year old son.  I’m a single parent in the United States Army and although it’s hard, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you and god bless you and family!!!

SPC Jessica Rene

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Please convey our thanks to all those lovely folks who took the time to put the package together and sent it to us. I know you said “Thanks” is not required, but we would like to let you know we appreciate it anyhow. Getting packages from the home front is always a morale booster, and we look forward to them. Thanks again.

 

Junior Phillips

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First, I'd to start off by expressing how grateful Tucker, Tim, Kyle and I are for receiving the care packages.  Each of us received ours today.  For many of us it is our first deployment and only until this afternoon when I received your care package did 'what' we're actually doing here really sink in.  Or, perhaps, I should say 'why' we're doing what we do.  Often times it seems some people aren't careful of what they say or tactful in their approach but it is truly inspiring to know that there are people back home who care and sometimes even understand.  Furthermore, I would love to write back to one of the children and would like to make it personal (for it was to me).  I received a picture that said "Thanks, Sophie" and I had another ziplock bag with a book and what looked like someone's stuffed animal.  Like I said, I would like to write back but would rather not title it "To Whom This May Concern."  If you have any children at your church who need a little extra attention or may feel lonely during the holidays I know that, between the four of us, we can offer a friend.  Oh, and I also have a platoon of 25 Soldiers that willing to write, perhaps a classroom's worth, of kids.  Thanks again, and I hope rehearsals for The Messiah are going well, please don't hesitate to reply.

Very respectfully,
1LT Dan Di Giorgio

P.S. I CCed my wife on the email only to further reiterate my tremendous gratitude for what you and your church has done.  My wife, Julia, is friend of Courtney's and I filled her in almost immediately after I received the package.  She too understands how grateful we are to know that people, even in their own respects, still appreciate what my Soldiers and Brothers do for this great country.

 

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Hello, my name is SGT Vincent Montoya. My fellow Soldiers and I just received a package from you today. We wanted to let you know how much we appreciate all of the support.
A little about us: We are an airborne field artillery platoon stationed out of Ft. Richardson, Alaska. That's right we jump out of planes! Right now we are out in the middle of nowhere Afghanistan. Everything we get out here, comes by helicopter or is air dropped in. We don't have a store or anything. We are almost done with our tour of duty out here and we cannot wait to get back to our family and friends.
Well, I have to get going but thanks again for all of your support.
SGT Vincent Montoya

 

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I want to let you know that I received the box you sent for us. I speak for everyone when I say, thank you for your time, efforts, and support. I wish I could have captured the faces of the Soldiers as they took the items they wanted from the box. It is a great feeling to receive a package or even a letter from strangers back home. I always believed that behind every great Army stands a great nation. Please extend my thanks and gratitude to all who contributed to the drive. Our unit has a Facebook page "Spearhead Roughneck". We post pictures there for family and friends can share with each other. Thanks again for everything.

SFC Vallarde, Edmond

"Everyone is capable of greatness, your efforts determine how great."

 

 

I just wanted to write a quick note to say thank you so much for the care package you sent. At first I didn't recognize the return address and really tried to figure out who I knew from Massachusetts, but Tucker soon explained that Courtney had put our names down on your list. I was very surprised to receive such a generous package from folks I've never even met! You are too kind! Tell everyone who donated, was involved with putting them together and who organized the event that my Soldiers and I are very grateful for your support! (I've been sharing with all the Soldiers I'm responsible for over here - some of them aren't as lucky!)

It means a great deal to us to know that people haven't forgotten what a sacrifice it is just to be over here. Even for many Soldiers who will never be shot at or even leave the US base, it is still difficult to be away from friends and family for a year to do our part over here. So any acknowledgment is a big deal for us.

Thank you again!

-Tim Frazier
Captain
United States Army

 

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Good Evening from Kandahar, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CARE PACKAGE! It put a smile on my face as well as my Soldiers to get your care package today. We all want to thank you so much for the toiletries, ramen noodles, and oatmeal. I am not sure if you are aware but I am from Oxford, MA and plan on stopping by your American legion when I return from Afghanistan. It is the least I can do to show my thanks for the package. The leaves put a smile on my face especially because I do miss the fall weather back in New England, my home. Thank you again and god bless!

 

Very Respectfully, MICHAEL F. HANNA 2LT, FURY FROM THE SKY!

 

 

Thank you very much for the two boxes of Holiday Goodies  that you sent us .It was very thoughtful and greatly appreciated.  I issued the contents of the two boxes in the Rest & Recuperation Pass Program Center at Camp Al Sayliyah, Doha, Qatar and our participants gobbled the good down.  The toiletry items were placed in the Toiletry Items issue room.  I greatly appreciated the Maple leafs that you sent and have it hung on the wall in the Coffee mess area. Once again, Thank you for the packages it makes a difference in the lives of our military.

 

Lee Barclay

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Thank you for the care package and letter!  It was a big surprise!  I remember Courtney mentioning that you were involved in packages for the troops, but it definitely caught me off guard when it arrived and put a big smile on my face! 

Things have been well over here.  We head into the city about 5-6 days a week and have various functions that we perform.  Overall security has improved greatly over the past few years and hopefully will remain that way throughout the elections this January and during our withdraw this summer.  The bombings the other day were obvious attempts to derail the progress that has been forged over recent years, but I believe stability and peace will bear precedence for the future.

Respectfully,
Blake Safko

"Don't be afraid your life will end, be afraid it will never begin!"

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Hello, how are you today.  I wanted to get back with you as soon as possible in regards to the care packages that were so carefully organized and put together for us here in Iraq.  A handful of us received them today and are so grateful.  We thank you for thinking of us in times like these.  And in saying that, I am proud to respond to the blessings you brought to us today.  It brought a smile to so many and I thought you should know.  

God Bless and thank you so much.  

Terry Woodward

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I received your package today. Thank You very much! The toiletries and Girl scout cookies went within 5 minutes!  grew up in Norwell, Mass,....not too far from you. Your generosity has brightened the day of 20 American Service members. I thank you again for your thoughtfulness and for taking time to think of us.

 

CDR Michael P. MacLellan, US Navy
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I received your package yesterday. I am so thrilled to know that the people of our great country is continuing to support our soldiers as we are away from home. Yes, this box of love has sent a lot of sunshine to my soldiers. Please thank all the great and caring people who were a part of the Holiday Care Package Drive. Thank you so much!!! I realize you didn't have to take the time, to purchase and pack all the goodies that you have. It shows us that you really care about us over here, and it is a breath of fresh air. Again, thank you so much for your Love and Care. Please stay in touch, FYI, we are going into our 4th Month of deployment. Please continue to Pray for our safety and speedy return. We are the 17th Fires Brigade. Again, thank you!

1SG  Anthony, Johnny