| LETTERS FROM THE TROOPS |
| Hi, Mary Ann, It is great to hear from you!! We like to make things as easy and cheap as possible for our supporters and ourselves. Mail will be very slow-moving over here pretty soon and it is easiest to send one package for a group of people. If you could send one package to us, we will be more than happy to distribute the contents to the most needy soldiers. This is a common occurrence for us, so we have a good idea of who gets and needs what. If there are specifics items that you want to go to specific people, just let us know and we will get it to them. As far as needed items, all I know is that it is getting pretty cold over here now and hand warmers are a good treat. Be creative. We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you again. Joe and Casper November 23, 2004 |
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| Hi Maryann, Thank you so much for the care package. All the items will be put to good use. It is so awesome to know fellow Americans are supporting us through the difficult times. I really appreciate what you are doing for us here at Bravo Surgical. Keep the prayers going and we will be home soon. You're the best sweetie:) Thank you HMC (FMF) Damon R. Sanders United States Navy Bravo Surgical Company Fallujah, Iraq December 30, 2004 |
| January 26, 2005 Thanks from Afghanistan Thank you for your good wishes, prayers, and "packages of gratitude". Its weird that you get such a warm feeling from people you have never met, thanks Again. I am the platoon leader for the 1st platoon 25th MP Co. I don't think that there is anything special that the guys need, unless you may be able to get black fleece caps. Our weather here is insanely cold and snowy. Our FOB is at 7200 ft. Altitude. My platoon Sgt just went to the airbase and got all the buys new boots and gloves for the weather. 1st LT Short |
| Hi Mrs. Cordova, Thank you so much for the unexpected are package!!! I do not need anything else at this time, but thanks for asking. I really appreciate the support. I wrote you a letter before I had a chance to read the one you left in the box (I was so excited that I couldn't compose myself!) There were many smiling faces in my office as I shared everything that you took time to send to us. The two troops in my unit that I'd like for you to send a box to are SSgt Armando Hernandez and Sgt Carl Towns. I know that they will appreciate your support. I'll send you a picture right away.I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family and friends for allowing each of you to give from a kind heart. People like you make serving our country a beautiful experience. Thanks, PO2 Katrezia White March 31, 2005 |
| Dear Mary Ann & Family, Friends, We are all very grateful for your generosity and patriotism. I shared the contents of your box with my entire staff, you and people like you are being very generous by sending us these gifts. It is a great boost for our morale knowing that we still have your support and have not been forgotten. Once again many thanks from all of us here in Afghanistan! Best wishes & God bless you all, Jason Chamness Afghanistan March 26, 2005 |
| March 27, 2005 Dear Mrs. Cordova I cannot say thank you enough for the wonderful care package you sent to me. I am truly amazed at the support we are receiving from home. Please give my sincere thanks to everyone who helped you put these packages together. It is folks like you that help keep us going over here. Sincerely, Sgt. Jeffrey Ratkovich |
| Mary, I just wanted to thank you for the package. I was so surprised to get a package, I haven't gotten any mail since I have been in country. We are scheduled to be here for an entire year! I have attached a couple pictures to this email. I especially liked the Slim Jims and the Pop Tarts, they are my favorite, they didn't even last 10 minutes after I opened the package. I really appreciate what you are doing sending packages to the soldiers out here. It really does make our day, and people like you are the reason we are out here and why we fight for freedom. I signed up for the Army right out of high school and 9/11 was really the clincher that solidified my decision to join. I am 20 years old. I can't thank you enough and I do have many friends in my company that are jealous. So if you don't mind I can give you their names, just email me back if that would be OK. Well gotta get back to work. Thank you again, you made my day... Sincerely PFC Andrew Mullins Iraq |
| March 29, 2005 Hello Mary Ann My name is SFC Thomas M. Elwell. I'm the 1st Platoon Sergeant of B Co 1/40th. I received your package the other day. First I would like to say thank you for your support and the goodies. I really am happy that people like yourself support those of us that make the sacrifices in our lives to defend our country. It really makes a difference in the morale of a deployed solder. Sending packages really helps us, knowing that we are appreciated for the job that we do. Some days knowing that is all worth it to helps us get through the long days. Once again thank you so very much for your time and effort. SFC Thomas M. Elwell |
| Hello Mary Ann Bob Farley here in Afghanistan. I just had to write to let you know how surprised and happy you made me with your wonderfully thoughtful gift box. Coincidentally, it arrived on Easter Sunday! I was actually a little down in the dumps, but your kind and caring gifts quickly lifted my spirit. It was my very first package since I left home almost two months ago! I was so happy! I carefully took each item from the box and was amazed at the thought and loving kindness that went into packing it. While the food and sundry items were great and very much appreciated, my absolute favorite items were the beautiful hand drawn cards by Ryan Galvin and Karolyn. They are both excellent artists. Those cards will adorn my wall here in Afghanistan the entire time I"m here (and my scrap-book when I return to Hawaii). I still get a little choked up each time I look at them and realize there are people back home that care about what were trying to do over here. Hopefully the seeds of freedom will take root here, where for so long the people have never tasted it. The thoughtful sentiments of the girls from Girl Scout Troop #1320 made me very happy. Thank you Karen, Bernice, Phoebe and Susie. And what can I possibly say that properly conveys how I feel about the effort you and your family are making, Mary Ann? Thank YOU for thinking of me, and all of us who are touched by your wonderful efforts. Your kind words and deeds mean more than you will ever know! Enclosed is a picture of me in the little hootch that I call home for now. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you've done for my spirit. God bless and thank you all. I will always remember this as the best Easter ever! You are the greatest! Mahalo! (Hawaiian for "Thank you!"), Bob Farley April 2, 2005 |
| April 10, 2005 Dear Mary Ann, Thank you very much for the Box of Stuff. Its always nice to get thinks in the mail. You Marine Moms Online sure do have a good organization. At first I thought my mom was going crazy but you ladies sure do care. I can't wait to be home (I get out in August and I will miss the Corps). In closing, thank you again. It makes me proud to know that the people back home appreciate us. It makes our job better. I wish you the best. Semper Fidelis CPL Doug Siers Afghanistan |
| April 23, 2005 Dear Mary Ann I want to personally thank you for your gifts of the care packages and the "Kids Flag". The Marines and I appreciate the care package you sent to us. It is people like you that make all that we endure worthwhile. Packages of Gratitude is a great idea! Thank you for supporting us. Please thank Benita and all of those involved for us. I can see why Michael is your best helper. I'm sure he has fun helping you. Michael will carry with him your example of the community service and personal sacrifice that is given freely and from your heart for years to come. We would also like to thank your husband John for his service in Vietnam and his continued support today. Please let Karen and the West Community Friends Church know that we appreciate her as well. Thank you again and Semper Fi 1st. Sgt Tracy Offutt 1st Battalion, 5th Marines |
| April 26, 05 Dear Mrs. Cordova: I just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU and let you know that we received the care package that you sent. I apologize for not writing to let you know sooner, but our team moves around the country every few weeks. As as result we are usually about three weeks behind the mail by the time we back to ............. after each trip. The box that you sent was most welcomed. We naturally enjoyed the snacks and made quick use of the batteries and shaving gear items. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and admire your patriotism as well. Nothing makes us happier than to know that we have the moral support and prayers of people like you and your family and friends. While the job here is at times very demanding, your generosity makes an important contribution to the effort here. Please rest assured that despite what is often portrayed on the nightly news, there are positive changes taking place here that rarely get mentioned in the news. A few examples include schools being opened and supplied, hospitals running at normal capacity, infrastructure improvements on roads and bridges. Most importantly, Iraq's budding government assumes more responsibility each day and the new military is getting bigger, stronger and more confident. While the pace of change here is much slower than what we are used to in the United States and other parts of the developed world, it is still a solid and positive change as well as a visible change here. Thank you again for thinking of us and taking your time and energy to send your thoughts and packages. We all appreciate it. May God bless you, your family and friends. Sincerely Maj. J. Sirotnaik, Jr. |
| April 28, 2005 Dear Mary Ann, Thank you for your contribution to Operation Crayon. We received the materials you sent and sorted them for distribution to the schools and orphanages we serve in Iraq. Every time we go out into the community, we are greeted by many, sometimes hundreds of students, and parents. They are always appreciative of whatever we can provide for them. There is an incredible need in this area due to the living conditions that developed over the past several decades. At a time when coalition forces can seem quite overwhelming, Operation Crayon helps people understand that we are here to help them, sometimes person to person. Your contribution supports our efforts to make a positive impact in the lives, and the future, of the people of Iraq. Again thank you for your generous support. May God bless your loved ones and you always ! CHAPLAIN COLON, CAPT USAF |
| April 30, 2005 Hey Maryann, How's everything going? I would like to thank you so much for all the things I received. I think that it is great what you are doing for all the troops over here. It is nice to know there are people out there who care. I will be here until January of next year. Right now I can't think of anything special that I need, but I will let you know SPC Matthew Smith |
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| February 17,2005 Hello, We got the boxes last night and I handed them out, you would have thought it was Christmas morning all over again. I can't tell you how grateful we are for all your efforts and attention to our platoon. Your hard work and kindness really do bring happiness to deployed soldiers. I hope you are able to keep it going. 1st Lt. Short THEY GOT THEIR BEANIES |
