| JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2005 |
| June 15, 2005 Dear Mrs. Cordova, Friends, and Family, I'm writing today to deeply thank you for the care package I received from you this week. I'm a Corporal on my third deployment to Iraq in under four years, and I've grown a found appreciation for the boost in morale a care package can provide for a Marine out here. I think that knowing there are so many Americans back home that support you is far more important than the contents of the package itself. What your group does for the Marines out here shows that support, and is far more appreciated than I can tell you. It is refreshing to see a group who are so avidly support our military amidst all the protests and complaints about this war. People like you are true, selfless Americans, and the people of our Country would do well to take some lessons from you. Again, thank you for all your support for our boys, and I personally appreciate the goodies! Cpl. Will McCune USMC |
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| July 3, 2005 Ma'am, My name is Ryan Richter and I received a package from you about a week ago. I just wanted to say thank you so much for what you do. The little things that make morale increase are very important to not only me, but my Soldiers and the other Soldiers I work with. People that care and express it, put a smile on all of our faces. It could be the smallest things, for example, I just went on leave, and at the Atlanta Airport, a 4 or 5 year old girl tugged on my pants and said, "Thanks for serving". Her parents probably told her to say it, but it made my day. So once again, thank you so much for what you do and the package I received. Here are a couple of pictures of the fishing I do out here, one of my favorite things to do. Thanks again. The really large fish took me and a friend about 1 and 1/2 hours to reel in. SSG Ryan Richter |
| June 27, 2005 Thank you for the care packages. It was very thoughtful to take the time and effort in sending these packages. It is nice to be reminded the contributions and services of my fellow service members and myself do not go unnoticed. It is always enjoyable to munch on "real" food from the States. I wish a happy Independence Day for all those who contributed to this. Please extend my thanks and gratitude for your efforts. Sincerely PFC Gary T. Gardner |
| June 28, 2005 MaryAnn, Hey, I'm one of the Marines who received your packages. Thank you so much. There was a little of everything. I shared with other Marines and of course they appreciated it. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to spare. I only have one of my newborn, wife and myself. If I had another, I would give it up, Shortly I'll be able to see an 8th month old son I "basically" have never seen before. That's why I keep the picture to try and visualize the changes as he gets older. I'm sorry I got off the subject, the son is really missed. Again Thank you so much. There's nothing else I need, but if the Major gives you more names, I'm sure that they will appreciate it as much as I did. Also if your in contact with "Lynn", tell her I said thank you very much for the letters enclosed in the package. Especially thank all of your helpers also your Husband, Benita, Michael and Ryan. You all are in my prayers. Take care, stay safe, God Bless. Sincerely, Cpl. Jason Porter |
| July 21, 2005 Mrs. Cordova, THANK YOU ! for the package. It is much appreciated. I think it is great what your doing for us troops. Thank you again, Lcpl Salvador Rameriz |
| July 24 2005 Mrs. Cordova, I would like to thank you for all of the good stuff you sent to my platoon. They really appreciate the time and effort that you put in to send us things from home. Its amazing how much little things remind the Marines of home and make them fight harder to get home. Right now Iraq is very hot and we can't wait to get back to California. So once again I would like to thank you on behalf of Charlie Company 1st BN 5th Marines 1st Platoon for everyone's support back home SGT Francisco Roman, Jr. |
| From: Daniel Ogden Sunday, July 24, 2005 Mary Ann, I wanted to write and tell you that I received the package you sent me and thank you very much. It is so nice to know that there are people like you and your family back in the states that really care about us soldiers over here, and show it. I am from Utah, and just got back from my two weeks of leave this past week. I am 26 and single. I have a wonderful brother back home, two sisters and two of the greatest parents in the world. I know God will bless you and your family for what you do. You have no idea how much you help the troops here. SGT Daniel Ogden |
| FROM: ROBERT JOHN SENT: AUGUST 5, 2005 Hello Mary Ann, My name is Robert and I am serving in Afghanistan ad we are scheduled to be here for about one year. Our office received your package the other day and it is good to know how many people care about the troops. I thought I would send you a note to say thank you and we appreciate everything you are doing over there in the states supporting the troops who are deployed. It is people like you that keep the morale of the troops high even though we are complete strangers to you, you still care for everyone who is deployed. Once again thank you for your support. SSG Robert John |
| August 8, 2005 Hi Maryann, Thank you for the care package we received this week. All of the items were distributed to the soldiers of my company. I wanted to make sure you knew how much we appreciate it. Knowing that there are people back in the states praying and thinking about us makes a huge impact on all American Soldiers. I personally appreciate it because I am the son of a soldier who fought in the Vietnam War and I know that many of those soldiers did not receive the warmth, compassion, or appreciation that we are receiving. So thank you once again. SSG Raymond Jackson |
| ,August 13 Mrs. Cordova My name is Ryan Franklin (SGT Franklin by the Army) I work in...............I have been here for about 5 months so far and have about 7 left. I have been out here once before during the war when it started in April 03. Unfortunately it is worse now than it was then! But it is getting better! Insurgencies last a very long time we will be out here for awhile; that is one reason why your support is not only appreciated but needed. A main strategic goal of an insurgency is to pick and pick at the occupying force to degrade popular support until we finally withdraw. We can't let that happen or the insurgency will ultimately win. So thank you so very much for your support, and please try to keep everyone home supporting us as well. Thank you again Sgt. Ryan Franklin |
| Sent: August 29, 2005 Hello, I would just like to thank you for sending us care packages. SSG Brown distributed them out to us. It was really nice of you to think about us soldiers being out here. I am 21 from Dallas, TX. I have four brothers and one sister. I am the eldest and just hope I am setting a good example for my siblings. Well, once again, thank you for your gratitude. Ivan Santana |
| August 2005 Dearest Mary Ann Thank you so much for the package! Its great to know that we not only have our family that support us but its great to know we are supported by fellow Americans too! As you know my name is Danielle Stallworth, a native of New Orleans, La, U will be 22 on Sept. 23rd. I joined the Army on April 4 of 2004 and was excited about it. A new beginning to my adulthood. Not only would the Army teach me skills that I could use, but travel as well and meet people from all across America and the world! While growing up, I wanted to do something to change the world; to help people in need. Over here we are hard at work trying to build a better Iraq. When ever I see the people of Iraq, I know that I've fulfilled my goal. /Thank you for everything you and your friends and family have done for us. Your new Friend, PFC Stallworth p.s. My job is kinda strange for a female; I'm a generator mechanic! |
| September 4, 2005 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Cordova, Thank you and all the people surrounding you for all that you have done for me and my Soldiers. We have left the war zone and are headed for a new assignment. The Lord has truly blessed me to have friends like you ---That really care. Bless your family and friends. The care packages came in good time. I wonder how you got so much in a little box! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Thanks again for caring, Cpt. Garland G. Gill, Jr. 81 Mortar Platoon, 3rd Bat, |
| Sent: Monday September 5, 2005 Ma'am, Thank you so much for the care and love that comes with your packages. You've sent the ones to "men" that I received today, and the ones for the "females". They've both come at times when Soldier's were a little down and these were definitely boosters to morale. I can't possibly think of anything else you could send. These were a complete surprise, after the female boxes of a few months ago, I sure didn't expect anything else from the same group. Once again thanks for brightening may Soldier's days. And before I forget, pass along my thanks to your husband for his service in Vietnam, thats one thing I always try to do when I find out someone has served there. Those men and women were unfairly treated by their country and I take it as my duty to say thanks, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Thanks again, Jim Wedding |
| Saturday, September 17, 2005 Hey, thanks for the care package. I really appreciate it and so did the rest of the people here. All of us are doing fine here. We use to see rain but the monsoon season has gone (thats what I call it). We haven't had any rainy weather in about 3 1/2 months now we douse each other with water guns. Those are our rain clouds here now. Tell the folks who help thank you also. PFC JOSHUA M. COKE |
| Sent: Sunday Sept. 18, 2005 Dear Mary Ann, I just wanted to write a quick note to let you know that I have received your packages this morning when I came to work. Thank you for everything . My soldiers and I greatly appreciate everything including the snacks. Sincerely, SGT Jennifer Galloway |
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| SENT: Monday, August 15, 2005 Dear Mary Ann, I received one of your packages recently, and I would like to tell you, and all of those you work with, Thank you! It really means a lot to us out here that we have such great supporters. People that are willing to go the extra mile to help make our deployments as best as they can be. The only thing that I could every as for, would be food for on the run, we don't always get the chance to eat while we are out here. Our Dinning Facilities do offer 4 meals a day. But sadly we don't always get the chance to get there due to time constraints. So often we go off one or two meals a day. Little things like granola bars, pop tarts, honey buns, and little bits of food that we can grab on the way out would be greatly appreciated. People, similar to yourselves, have sent us candy. And that is also greatly appreciated because we usually can't find the brands that they send anywhere out here. But as you know, we are required to stay in top physical condition. We can't very well be eating candy all the time, or it may slow us down. Once again,thank you very much for everything you, John, Michael, Ryan, and all of your supporters have been doing for us out here. It is greatly appreciated. PFC Michael Vick Operation Enduring Freedom VI |
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