| MORE LETTERS FROM THE TROOPS |
| May June 2005 |
| May 3, 2005 Thank You - Mrs.Cordova - Packages of Gratitude I would first like to convey a very big THANK YOU from Myself and my soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen here in Iraq. Our care package truly came as a heart-felt blessing. Our days out here have been rough from time-to-time and somewhat never ending. However, your Package of Gratitude really lifted the morale and completely brightened everyone's day. This is my third deployment to the Middle East. It has been my most challenging and my most rewarding. One thing I can honestly say sets this deployment apart from the rest - is the amount of support we receive from GREAT AMERICANS like you, your family and friends. Also, it is support like this which gives Service Members the greatest sense of Pride. Thank you for caring. God Bless You, SSG Leroy Alexander |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| May 2005 On behalf of the Marines & Sailors of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines, I would like to say thanks for your "Package of Gratitude". It is very appreciated when people understand the everyday items which make life a little smoother. We to can understand how your husband John felt when he received a care package such as this one. But most of all thank-you so very much for taking time out of your life to ensure we are taken care of! Yours Truly, Cpl Ryan Walter |
| May 21, 2005 Mrs. Cordova, Thank you on behalf of 3/3 Weapons Company. You have been our biggest supporter! Semper Fi 1st Lt G. Gill, Jr. |
| Mrs. Cordova, I received a package from you today. Thank you very much for all the goodies. I really enjoyed your enclosed note,pictures, and card. It is important to have the support of our loving friends and family, but even more heartwarming to have people like you and your supporters to take time out of your life to express support of our service members. Your thoughtfulness is what makes America Great! Thanks Again, LTC John C. Smith |
| May 21, 2005 Mrs. Cordova, Thank you for the excellent "Package of Gratitude" that you and your helpers sent tome. It was much appreciated! Thank you also for your taking time to even include a letter and photos, that was such a nice and thoughtful gesture. I've been at Abu Ghraib Prison (Iraq) for about 3 months. Life here is unlike any other deployment I have ever been on, but we are managing. Our team from Hawaii are doing really great work. With the altruistic support of Americans like you, John, Michael and Ryan, together we can truly "restore America's Honor" here at the Prison. Thank you again for all your support. SSGT Marcus Townsend |
| May 23, 2005 Dear Mary Ann Thank you so much for the package. It is always great getting mail. My Unit has been very busy the last 2 months traveling all over Iraq. I think it is great what you are doing. I know the Marines and Soldiers are very grateful. Tell everyone Thank You. God Bless Evan Garlick USMC |
| May 24, 2005 Mr. & Mrs. Cordova, I wanted to take a few minutes to write a quick thank you for the box that you guys sent me. It was a very thoughtful package and was made up of lost of different items that I and my soldiers can use. All of the soldiers in my section received packages as well and as your husband remembers it really made their day to receive packages in the mail. They are working very hard around here trying to make a difference and its nice to hear kind worlds of encouragement and thanks from the home front. Please pass my thanks along to the entire crew that help you put those packages together, they were very much appreciated. Maj. Nathan Davis 18th Airborne Corps |
| May 30, 2005 Mary Ann, Thank you very much for the care package. Myself and a few other Marines really like what came. It makes me feel good to know of support in places I had never even been. So you met my Mom on MMOL. She must spend a lot of time on there. Things here are usually pretty boring. I know the news media would have everybody think that every time an incident occurs it's like the Tet Offensive all over again. I'm fairly sure this is nothing compared to what your husband went through. Please thank him for me for his service. Again thank you for your package and support. Semper Fidelis Cpl Miles A. Michel |
| May 30, 2005 Mary Ann, I would like to thank you for the package, it came as a complete surprise. It's also pretty cool, because i came here on Memorial Day. Its always good to now that there are still people out there that still care. All the other Marines in my squad would like to say "thank you" as well. Well just to tell you a little bit about myself. I'm 20 years old from Davenport, Iowa and have been in the Marine Corps for a little over 2 years now, and this is also my 2nd deployment over here. To tell you the truth I can't really think of anything else for you to send, you pretty much covered it all. I really can't tell you how much we all appreciate the thing you and your helpers are doing ! ! ! Probably by the time you get this my unit will be getting ready to come home. Thanks again, we all appreciate it very, very much. PFC Dan Reeves |
| Thanks from the Marines Mary Ann Cordova & “PACKAGES OF GRATITUDE” On behalf to the Fighting Fifth Marines 1st Battalion Fifth Marines Weapons Company, Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005 Thank you for your Outstanding Support Photo taken May 2005 ArRamadi Iraq 1stSgt D. W. Farr |
| Dear MaryAnn and Everyone else: Well, I am somehow finding a minute to write. I would like to thank you for the package. I have used most of the things in the box. We all are really busy over here, but we are all okay. Thank you very much, don't stop doing what you do, there are people that don't get packages and love to get them from random people back home. It puts a smile on their face. Semper Fi Sgt. Frank Drake |
| UNITES STATES ARMY & UNITED STATE AIR FORCE IRAQ JUNE 4, 2005 We received your donations in support of "Operation Provide School Supplies" formerly known as "Operation Crayon" for the Iraqi school children in and around Kirkuk. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated by the children in this area. We have teamed up with the Air Force to help package and deliver these items where they are needed. On behalf of the children, your generosity is appreciated. Thank you, for making a difference! Sincerely, LTC John Worster (Chaplain) |
| Dear Mrs. Cordova, We would like to thank you and your family so much for sending us care packages. We are a team of 5 soldiers in the Veterinary Corps. We are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Our two primary missions are: 1. Take care of military working dogs that guard our base. 2. Inspect all food that comes on base to help ensure soldiers remain healthy. The work keeps us very busy. It is difficult for us to be apart from our family and friends. We were very touched when we received the packages from you. It makes us feel good to know you guys back home are thinking of us and take the time to let us know. We appreciate your support. Thanks again Cpt Marla Brunnel Ssg Michelle Pinson Spc Dine Sgt Duke Sgt Nothington |
| ARCHIVE LETTERS |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| June 3, 2005 Dear Mary Ann, Thanks so much for the care package. Snacks are always a great hit around here, and the yo-yo was especially cool (though we did have a safety incident with someone trying to show off their supposed skills...not to worry, the coffee cup survived intact. I also really enjoyed the CD...I foolishly only packed three, and love them though I might, the same three discs get old after about week four. More importantly, it's the thought that counts. It's a terrible cliché, I know, but genuinely true in this instance. It really makes a world of difference to know that people back home are thinking of us, even a box full of Styrofoam packing peanuts would give us a smile (only mentioned as an illustration, by the way, not an actual suggestion). Things in this particular corner of the war aren't to bad. There are the usual bumps and scratches you read about in the press, but it genuinely feels like we're doing something worthwhile (although figuring out the "right" thing to do can be pretty complicated in Afghanistan). Surprisingly, aside from the bombed out bits, it is really rather lovely in some respects. There is very little pollution, so the skies are clear blue, and as we're at around 6,000 feet, the spring climate is very mild...about 75F with nice evening breezes, and the occasional thunderstorm. Snow covered mountains loom on the horizon for a scenic view, and there are rose bushes everywhere (with blooms as big as your fist). Anyway, thanks again, I sincerely to appreciate it (and know my fellow soldiers do likewise). With warmest regards, Maj. Patrick Kelley Afghanistan |
