FEEDBACK FROM OUR TROOPS
Letter received in July 2010
Worth repeating - Google "Waza Kwah Afghanistan FOB" to see first-hand
pictures of what our troops are dealing with & how important our boxes are to them!
Letter & pictures received in May 2010:
A February 2010 letter & certificate received by the faithful S-O-T package senders from St. Martha's Church, Sarasota.
Chairperson Mary Anne Thompson reports they recently sent another 15 boxes!
February 2010 Certificate to faithful S-O-T package-senders Barb & Frank Hodalski:
February 2010 Letter from 2/2 Marine Chaplain John Eastman & RPSN Eddington to St Martha's
S-O-T Committee - (Chairperson Mary Anne Thompson reports they recently sent another 7
boxes, using our new addresses).
(Note- St. Martha's Ladies sent McDonald's Certificates!)
1-5-10 - U.S. Army EMail and pictures
We thank all of you from the bottom of
our hearts. It's wonderful Americans
like all of you that serve as a reminder of the kindness and generosity of
our Country. Our Soldiers appreciate every item sent to them and I hope
that they have responded to the members of S-O-T with many thanks.
God bless you and all who
continue to remember the fine young men and women
of the 425th BSTB (Airborne).
V/r,
CSM Montoya
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December 2009 - Letter received by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Hodalski, Sarasota SAR / DAR
from Capt J. P. Schweig, USMC, 2D Battalion, 2D Marine Regiment, Afghanistan.
EMail from Marines rvd 23 November 2009 -
On behalf of the 2/2 Marines serving in Afghanistan, thank you very much for the care
packages you sent to us. Under these austere conditions, it is much appreciated.
You should know the Marines, working with the Army and Navy are doing a fine job!
May the good Lord bless you for your act of kindness and support!
Chaplain Eastman
Letters received from the Troops by SOT supporter Jeanne Johnson:
From a Navy man in a Marine unit__
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you....Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Your packages were great. Thank you for all your work.2/8 is moving out, but if you would still like to send packages to the next group:Chaplain John Eastman2/2 H&S CompanyUnit 73085FPO AE 095-3005It is getting cold here, so warm things, hot chocolate packages, coffee stirrers and cups (we have so much coffee), sock, foot powder....Thanks again.s/RP3 Ross, Navy2/8Please, your work helped 2/8 so much,. please do not feel forced to send more because of this email.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A thank you from a paratrooper stated how joyous they were to receive boxes as they were in small groups, scattered around for missions, without any access to px or small stores. When they would receive boxes, they would open them up in their common room and put everything on out on a table, share the edibles and leave the rest of the goodies (personal care items, etc) out for those that needed them the most could then take their pick.
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Letter received July 2009 from Afghanistan
Letter received 28 May 2009 from US Marines in Afghanistan
EMail received 5 May 2009 from Afghanistan. Our efforts are very worthwhile!
Sir,
I received two boxes of reading material and hygiene products for
FOB Waza Khwa yesterday. On behalf of the FOB I wanted to say thank you
for your generosity and your prayers. We do not have a BX/PX here on
the FOB and rely on the gifts sent from home. We are grateful for
people like you and your association. Thanks again.
Todd Rowe
1-501st In Bn (ABN) PA
FOB Waza Khwa
Letter
from Major Joshua Morganstein, received 6 April 2009 from Afghanistan.
A package from home means a lot!
Len Friedlander presents US Flag flown over USMC RCT 1 to Don & Rita Cunningham and Jim & Joyce Hesson for their "S-O-T" Leadership".
Bill Battle, CAPT USNR, (just recently returned from Iraq), with BG Jim Hesson, emphasizes the importance of "morale packages" to troops in Iraq.
June 2008 report from Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution
Don,We have many letters from 1st. Lt. Estaban Vickers unit. They are a great bunch! Sent us letters & picture of the unit.Our biggest surprise came Saturday just in time for Flag Day celebration. 1st.Lt.Vickers sent us a USA Flag & Certificate. The flag was flown over Camp Fallujah, Iraq on May 11, 2008 dedicated to the Sons & Daughters of the American Revolution, Florida. We plan to take the flag & cert. to the Flag Day luncheon planned by the Son & Daughters at the Field Club on Sat. June 14th. Our Congressman Vern Buchanan & Florida State Regent Sue Bratton & others will be attending.We are so proud of them and when we asked what more we could send, they just wanted more sun flower seeds!
Regards, Barb & Frank Hodalski
Click to enlarge:
A lovely letter from one of our female soldiers, SPC Valerie Mitchell, rcvd 10 May 2007
A May 2007 Email from US Army CPT Richard Rodgers to a local church:
March 2007
The 3/67 Armor (Hounds of Hell) returned home in December 2006 after a year tour in Forward Operating Base (FOB) Rustamiyah, Baghdad, Iraq. This is one of the units we have supported during 2006. Upon their return home they made up a shadow box recognizing our chapter for our efforts to make their lives a little more connected to home. The flag in the shadow box was flown over FOB Rustamiyah on 4 November 2006. The narrative with the flag reads as follows:
"This certifies that the US Flag herewith presented to
Sarasota Florida Chapter
Military Officers Association of America
Was flown over the 3-67 AR Battalion Headquarters on Forward
Operating Base Rustamiyah, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 November 2006
Signed by Edwin Rodriguez, Command Sergeant Major, and Mark A. Bertolini, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding.
An accompanying Certificate of Appreciation reads as follows: "For your outstanding commitment to the soldiers of 3-67 Armor during our battalion’s deployment to Iraq from December 2005 thru November 2006. Your countless donations of gifts for our soldiers to pass on to Iraqi children and numerous sundry packages for our soldiers were both inspirational and will always be remembered. We greatly appreciate your steadfast support."
From BG Jim Hesson -
For all of you who participated with packages or funds, this is your recognition for your efforts. Do not quit now, there are still troops who need our support every day!
A short note from the recipient of a package:
Nov 28, 2006
Dear MOAS and MOAA,
I am a US Marine Sergeant currently deployed for the 3rd time and my name is Jaspreet Blevins. I would personally like to thank you for all that you are doing for us. It is difficult to get certain things you really want out here but with your help it is not a problem. The most exciting thing during any deployment is when we get a package. It helps us to go on with our daily routines knowing that someone, somewhere, is thinking of us. I thank you for taking care of us and your help is certainly appreciated and it keeps us going. Thank you.
A July 2006 letter from Marine LtCol Bryan F. Salas, thanking their "Sarasota Friends".
Dear BGen Hesson and Sarasota Friends -
Greeting from the Marines in Iraq. Many thanks for your generosity and support. Dozens and dozens of Sarasota citizens send care packages to the Marines in Iraq. Sarasota is a consistent supporter of its men and women that serve here through the weekly packages we receive. I am not aware of any other city that provides its forward-deployed men and women this consistent support.
The packages are well thought out—large enough for a fireteam to share, small enough so that it is easy to transport, non-perishable and non-meltable food, sundries, and reading material.
We receive the packages here at the headquarters of the California-based First Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters and distribute them to the battalions of the 5th Marine Regiment that are based in and around Fallujah, Iraq.
The battalions are from all over America. Two from California, one from the Reserve Forces in New England, more from North Carolina.
Semper Fidelis
LtCol Bryan F. Salas
Multi National Force -- West
Public Affairs
Other "thank you" letters. Click to enlarge.
