17 December 2009 Good Morning and Greetings from Balad, Iraq, We are, indeed, overwhelmed by your generosity, love, compassion and patriotism. I, personally, am speechless and I don't have enough words to thank you and your community for all that you do for our Soldiers. Now, I will ask you for one more thing, regardless of your faith, pray for us. In your home church, please ask them to pray for us all here in Iraq, especially, the 2-159th Soldiers. I don't even know where to start and where to end. Please extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has sacrificed their time, energy and money to make this happen. Love and gratitude, Captain Goutier 2-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion Soldiers
6 October 2009 CHAPLAIN’S APPEAL FROM IRAQ Greetings from halfway around the world, Balad, Iraq. Our unit, the 2/159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion has our main body here at Balad and soldiers spread out through 3 other bases in other parts of the country supporting the infantry. I am writing to you on behalf of the unit asking for your generosity and your assistance. I know your organization has pledged itself to help, care for, and assist our Soldiers generously. As you all know and have seen in the news, Iraq is a country torn by war and indifferences, and we have nothing to start with as a unit when it comes to care packages, and humanitarian assistance to the local community. As their Battalion Chaplain, I am asking for your assistance by providing for them the support, as you do for other Units, with some care packages and school supplies to help the community.I thank you in advance for your generous assistance and I hope that I can count on you to help support our Troops and the Iraq community in Balad. May the Lord Almighty continue to bless you all and your family members. My Utmost Regard, Ch (CPT) Goutier USA Battalion Chaplain
30 September 2009 Dear E. Hanover Supports Our Troops, On behalf of the Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors assigned to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, I thank you for your generosity. We have received your donations of school supplies and are grateful for your kind support. Operation School Supplies is an affirmative way by which we can reach out to the Iraqi people and make a difference. Your contributions will be distributed to the school children throughout the local area. When we are able to make a difference in the lives of the young Iraqi children, we also make a difference in their perception of us. As the children mature, we can hope and pray that they will come to see us as their allies and friends. Your contributions help us to achieve that goal. We appreciate all the prayers and support we are receiving. Although it is difficult to be away from family and friends, we are honored to be serving here. Thank you again for your generosity in contributing to Operation School Supplies. Sincerely, Lt. Col. Francis E. Group Chaplain
5 September 2009 To E. Hanover Supports Our Troops, Good evening/morning, my name is Sgt. H. I am the post master at HQ ISAF here in Kabul and I want to thank you for the kind care packages with the heart-spoken letter and poem. I distributed the packages to the lower ranking personnel here and had them read your letter and they helped themselves. The look on some of their faces was like seeing children opening Christmas gifts. One person from the Navy told me that you folks back home are the ones to be praised and honored for all you do in raising us and teaching us the true meaning of FREEDOM. and the love of each no matter what race or religion. wealth or poor, you folks are true heroes to give the country your children, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers...so my hat is off to you and our prayers to each of the personnel that help out. God bless each family and their loved ones and we will keep our heads up for you and our country. Again, God Bless America, the home of the free and brave like each of you. Sgt. H, Army ISAF Post Office Afghanistan
6 July 2009 Anne Marie and Folks, I would like to extend a sincere appreciation for the care packages over the last 11 months. Citizen Soldiers, Ugandan Guard Force, and local Iraqis at the Baghdad Police College have enjoyed the many treats and personal care items. Many folks have been touched by your generosity...thank you. Sylvester W is a new point of contact and will continue to distribute the care package items. His address is: Sylvester W -Police / TQI- Shield AP I will be ending mission on 8 Jul 09. Sincerely, Sam Samuel t IV MAJ, US Army Chief of Operations DS SVO NIPmil SIPl.mil
13 April 2009 I am Michael S. D, assigned TDY to Patforswa (Patrol Forces South West Asia) whose job is to oversee and support the combined forces of Coast Guard Patrol Boats and Navy Patrol Craft that are patrolling the Gulf Region and protecting the oil platforms. The packages you sent have made their way to us and they have been distributed amongst the afloat and ashore personnel. Thank you very much for taking your time, energy and funds to provide us with the extra items that make life a bit more enjoyable. While I am here in the Kingdom of Bahrain I am further tasked with ensuring the logistical support for the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell goes smoothly. I have enclosed pictures of one of our 110 patrol boats, the CGC Boutwell, and the sun setting over Karachi, Pakistan where the Boutwell was involved in a multi-national exercise. Thank you for all you have done. Chief Warrant Officer Michael S. DeLong
26 October 2008 Dear Concerned Citizens of E. Hanover, The Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of Task Force Centaur wish to thank you for the care packages we received this morning. The snacks really hit the spot with the Soldiers, especially, those deployed for the first time. It's weird, but seeing something from the United States seems to remind everyone of home, it is almost like Christmas when you open the box. Although the Army provides us with plenty of food, some of the things we take for granted in the States were included in your care packages. As always, personal hygiene items are always welcome and appreciated. It always seems that someone loses a toothbrush or runs out of toothpaste at the most inopportune time. Here in western Nuristan the climate is much the same as Colorado, so the Chap Stick is a must! Thank you for taking the time to put the care packages together. The main reason we can continue our mission here in Afghanistan each and every day is because of groups like yours. We truly appreciate the time and effort it took to get these care packages out to all of us. Thank you for your time and support. Sincerely, Mathew M. Condry, Major, FA Army Executive Officer
To Andrew Messineo - Eagle Scout Troop 23 c/o E. Hanover Support Our Troops Thank you guys very much for all the stuff! We appreciate your support and it is great that we have a program like the Scouts to help ensure we have strong leaders for the future. Thank you again! Lt. Jason C. Allen, USN Afghanistan, Buzkashi
17 October 2008 Dear East Hanover Support Our Troops: Thank you so much for the supplies. Many, many people were able to partake. We all appreciate you remembering us. It means a lot. Many of us have been here for a year, some for six months, others are brand new. All of us look forward to getting boxes. These kind of things really make our days! With the holidays approaching and many away from family, your thoughtfulness is appreciated. I will be going home soon but if you would like to continue sending supplies, you can send them to the same address but send to…A. D. He will be here a few more months. Thanks again, your support goes a long way! Sincerely, Chris Rosati U.S.N. (from E. Hanover)
August 2008 Afghanistan Thank you so much for all you do in supporting our Troops. It is the people of our great nation that really make a difference for us, as we are so far from home! Again, thank you and God Bless you. Your Brother in Christ, Chaplain (Cpt) Doug Henley U.S. Army
August 2008 I write on behalf of the men and women of Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia to express our gratitude for the car packages we recently received. The packages of food, books, candy etc. were greatly appreciated. It is the expressions and actions of patriotic Americans that bolster our spirits while we serve in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and the Arabian Gulf. The men and women of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia are very proud to serve the American people and sincerely appreciate your support. Sincerely, M.T. Bell, Jr. Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Commodore, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia
14 September 2008 I received the packages the other day. My team appreciated the food and toiletries. What they didn't use I started to put out for the soldiers coming through the airport. After being stuck in Kuwait for anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, and then spending a couple hours crammed into a C-130 only to be stuck in Baghdad for a couple days, the soldiers were happy to find snacks, razors and toothpaste to refresh themselves until their baggage arrived. Not much new here. We just entered Ramadan, so the insurgents get an extra boost of religious extremism and like to blow everything up. So far the mortar attacks have been minimal, but I'm told they usually increase around this time. Thanks for all you do. Jeremy Teed Sgt. - Army
3 June 2008 Thank you so much for all the gifts you have sent to us. I made sure that they went directly to troops in the field right near the heart of our soldiers. Again, thank you for all that you do and continue to do. Your Brother in Christ, Chaplain (Captain) Doug Henley U.S. Navy - Afghanistan
27 March 2008 I want to thank you for the generous box of supplies. Even though it was addressed to me, I was able to take the box to work and share it with everyone. We all appreciate your kind gifts. We are doing fine. Sometimes it gets difficult to be away from family but kind gestures, like yours, really lifts our spirits. Please know how much we appreciate your actions. God bless all of you. I grew up in the St. Rose Parish. I have many fond memories of it. My parents are still members along with my younger sisters. I know they appreciate your gesture, too. Thank you very much, Chris Rosati U.S. Navy
19 March 2008 Thank you for the kind inspired words and care packages you have sent to the Soldiers here in Afghanistan. The long days are certainly brightened by unexpected cards and letters from kind people such as you. I am constantly humbled when I see these gracious gestures of strangers to our Soldiers. It reminds me of why our nation is great and why we all serve. Once again, thank you. We all wish you and yours best wishes and good health. Sincerely, 1st Sergeant Matt Michelson U.S. Navy
19 February 2008 Thank you for the packages that you sent to us. We appreciate the time and effort that it takes to put something like this together especially during the busy holiday season. We recognize the hard work that you have put forth and the monetary burden these types of operations require. We are going to have to run a few extra miles when we return to the states due to all the candies and chocolate that we have eaten. The local food is quite delicious, too, but sometimes it is a little risky to eat it the way they prepare it. It is nice to have some food items that are wrapped safely in plastic to eat regularly. We are all doing well over here and our efforts are definitely paying off. Everyday new roads are being paved, new schools are being built and the city of Ramadi is looking more and more like a normal city in the United States. It is evident that soon our presence will be no longer needed here but we could stay indefinitely as long as we know there are people back home that support us and care about our well-being. The country of Iraq is definitely safer and in a lot better condition than it was just a short time ago. I have heard that there is some bad weather right now. Thank you again and God bless you. Sgt. Daniel E. Clark U.S. Marine Corps
12 February 2008 We received your boxes of goodies today and I wanted to write and tell you all how overwhelmed we are by your generosity and kindness. I am a British Soldier working in an American-led section and they are kind enough to share packages with me. They also use me as a guinea pig to taste all the sweets I’ve never had before. We work long days and really appreciate all the support we receive from thoughtful people like you. I haven’t been off of camp much but I have spent some time in the South where most of the UK soldiers are based and from what I hear, I’m lucky to be in Kabul! Kabul is a big and bustling city but we do have some incidents here. I don’t know how we can help solve all the problems in this country but as a united force, we are doing good work everyday. The press at home is not always positive or supportive of British involvement in Afghanistan (maybe U.S. in the same?), but I’m glad we have support and thoughts from people at home, including all of you. Thank you again, take care. Elizabeth Regg U.K. Army