Letters and News From Our Troops

We just received the packages you sent us here in Iraq. We are a 13 man team headed up by a TSgt from the 460 SFS. We are a part of the ESFS Squadron on Balad Air Base. We got the packages today as we were all out on the deck behind the QRF shack. The boxes were all addressed to TSgt B. so you can imagine the curiosity, everyone was wondering what was in the boxes. As soon as he opened them and realized who they were from everyone dove right in and began to rummage, some went straight for the coffee, some for the candy but a few went straight to the cards. We all got a card and read it, I must say even though this is my 4th deployment I still smiled because it is nice to know that someone takes the time out of their busy day to think about us and the Holidays we spend away from home. Receiving these packages out here brought a lot of morale to our squad and we are sure it will help out with the rest of the squads in the squadron. We will make sure everyone has a chance to rummage and pick out something they like. On behalf of our squad I would like to thank you for what you do, and you are all truly a blessing to those of us deployed away from home. We are blessed that the community cares about us and is generous to give without receiving. I pray that your work continues to bring smiles to faces, and warm words of Holiday cheer to Troops deployed around the world! May God bless you all for what you do. Thank you. Very Respectfully, SSgt Brandon M.

Thank you all for the care packages. I've received 3 large boxes containing candies, snacks, coffees, and etc. It is awesome to know that local Denver metro area folks are thinking about me. I have shared your care packages with other military personnel and they want to thank you for your support. I cannot express how much I appreciate your hard work putting the care packages. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and my prayers and thoughts are with everyone in the metro Denver. Have a Merry Christmas! Thank you, Capt Brian G.

My unit recently received three care packages sent from Hearts Across the Miles. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for thinking of us by putting together the huge packages for us. One was almost completely full of coffee. We gave that to our parent unit's chaplain, as his staff has a coffee grinder and they make coffee for the headquarters. They were especially thrilled to have it. The unit happens to be from the Seattle area, so they expect to have good coffee on hand! The remaining snacks and hygiene items were distributed to my Soldiers. All of it was tremendous and very much appreciated. The Soldiers of the unit are grateful that you not only took the time to think of us during our deployment, but made the effort to express your thanks to us. It is people like you who make us proud and willing to serve our great Country. Special thanks to Agnes, Peggy, Sandy, Shirley, Leota and Margie! You guys are great! Thank you. Major Bill C.

Just wanted to express not only my gratitude, but the sincere appreciation of all deployed members here with me. The packages you sent brought smiles to everyone in our entire building (about 120 personnel). The moral skyrocketed immediately after receiving the packages sent by your Organization. Everything sent, from the games to the coffee, and all the goodies that were shared/enjoyed by everyone, was very much appreciated. You could say the timing of the packages received, kicked off our Holiday Spirit and I believe everyone was ready to start. The Christmas cards were just as popular, they were shared and are now sitting on everyone's desk, even quite a few of them were posted all over the break room door for everyone to enjoy. Please ensure that all personnel that donated time/money/goodies/treats/coffee gets a big heartfelt Thank You from all the Deployed personnel here in Qatar. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year from all of us here. MSgt Gary L., ISRD, and AFFOR A2 Staff

I wanted to send this email thanking you for the care packages you sent to me. I am very grateful for your kind thoughts and your kind gestures in giving. All the cards and letters you sent I provided to the base chaplain so he could disperse to other troops transiting the area. Once again, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. Your kind generosity not only lifted my spirits, but the spirits of many troops transiting through the area. V/r, William, USAF

Just wanted to convey my heartfelt thanks to the care package you sent me here in Afghanistan. That was a wonderful gift to receive -- especially this time of year. The coffee is especially appreciated! I didn't hesitate to share with all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines currently here. Thanks very much for all your support, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Regards, JASON W. P. Capt, USAF

I recently received the package you sent and wanted to express my gratitude for your generosity and good will. I certainly appreciate your efforts to provide comfort items to deployed personnel from the armed services. I took the items to our Moral, Welfare and Recreation center here on Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. From there, it will be distributed to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines serving here at Camp Eggers. You can rest assured that the items will be put to good use and are greatly appreciated. I just wanted to say on behalf of all of us here, we are truly honored to serve our great nation and folks like you. Thank you so much for your gift. Respectfully, Richard F.

I am writing to let you know that we have received the boxes you sent. Our office wanted me to give you a BIG THANKS for the goodies. Although we have more than most that are deployed to other locations, it is always nice to receive something from "home". Most were in amazement in the amount of goodies that were packed in the boxes. Most stuff survived except for a few bags of chips and a couple of candy canes. Of the items sent, the blankets and the caramel popcorn seemed to garner the most attention. The coffee was also excellent. There seem to be a lot of sugar and coffee -holics here so yours, and the community's generosity is much appreciated. However, don't think that the other items in the box will go without attention. In fact, we are giving a lot of the hard candy to an Army Sergeant going to Kabul in a few days. The guys there asked for him to bring some candy, so we are sharing ours. I hope things are going will for everyone. HATM seems to have grown quite a bit in the last few years…which is a good thing. Sonya and I find ourselves spending the holidays apart again for the 2nd time in 3 years, but what can you do except keep your chin up and make it up holiday time when you get back. At least I am at a place that could rival many bases back home as far as amenities go. Yes, I have to ride a bus to work, but it sure beats walking when it is hot out which it seems to be when the sun is out. All of us here in the Operations/Collections Team at the CAOC say thanks again and would like to wish everyone there a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. V/R, ANTHONY C., TSGT, USAF

I am stationed at Ali Al Salem and I received two enormous care packages from your organization. I shared this with the personnel in my work center and everyone was very excited. Thank you so much for what you do to support the deployed troops, it is very much appreciated! Have a great holiday season. v/r, Jennifer L. S., MSgt, USAF

We just received some great gifts from you all. Thank you so much for all the work that you put into them and for thinking of us. Please pass on my thanks to everyone who helped out. CPT William D. B.

***Please note that some of the above letters are only a part of each service member's thoughts and words, while others may be the entire letter.

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