The names of our soldiers are not listed, and some parts of their letters have been edited out so that we can respect their privacy. We share their letters here on the web to let you know the value of the letters they receive and the appreciation they have for everyone who participates in the Letters From Home Program. That is for all of us who love our soldiers!

Alpha Battery 5-25 FA
  FOB Rustimayah, Iraq

Dear Letters from Home,

Thank you very much for the generous care package!  I was able to distribute the contents to my soldiers who didn't get a lot of mail and it made their day.  We are a combat engineer plt from the 101 st Airborne Division, based out of Ft Campbell, KY.  Having been deployed to Tikrit since Oct. 07, and will be here through December 2008.  Our primary mission here is to conduct route clearance - find and destroy IED's and our company is also in charge of two villages.  Thank you again, your support means a lot to my soldiers and me.  Sincerely, 2LT Tom

Thank you so much for the items you recently donated which arrived by mail to our office here at the US Embassy Annex, Baghdad, Iraq.  The community here appreciates your sacrificial gift, as shipping cost can get expensive.  The items will be distributed among the community here at the Embassy and in the International Zone.  Please know that we appreciate all that you have done.  Many of us would enjoy the opportunity to personally say thank you, but in the meantime, I hope this letter conveys our sincere appreciation.  Very Respectfully, SSG, US Army

Ms. Jovenitti, My unit, the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Btln, 1st Marines would like to say thank you for your letters and items that you sent.  It is great to know that people still care and support us out here on the front lines.  These types of letters and items sent always bring a smile to my marines, and for that I can not fully extend gratitude that is much deserved because I can not fully express it in words. If you would, please tell your organization that you are appreciated by all of us over here in Iraq.  God bless.  Sgt USMC

Dear Letters from Home Program

Thank you so much for all that you are doing for our military command.  I know many of the marines and sailors in my unit have benefited from your thoughtfulness and generosity. Your supports brings a little taste of home on our way thru our deployment to make it much more bearable.  We appreciate all of the snacks, well wishes and prayers on our behalf.  God bless you, Chaplain ***

To All: 

Thanks for taking the time to send cards and letters.  It is so nice to know people are at home keeping us in their thoughts.  Wonderful people like you boost our spirits and remind us why we do what we do everyday.  You are appreciated. Thanks again, Theresa 

I just wanted to pass on my thanks for all the Service you all provide
 for all the folks out here and Iraq that are in many remote locations
with little to nothing to remind them of home.  Please keep up the good
 work as it is noticed even in the most remote areas. 

 Thank You All very much and have a Merry Christmas!!!!
 
James
 

ALL,

 Thank you for taking the time to send us a little something from
 home.  Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine in my workplace plans
 to send a letter of thanks to all who provided addresses.  Many people
enjoyed the gifts you sent, and have shared them with friends.

 Thanks again,
 Doug
Capt, USAF

Ms. Christine Jovenitti,
 I just want to send a heart felt thank you from all of us here
 from the 64th EHMU.  Everyone loved opening the hand decorated bags and
everything inside was wonderful, all the way from the candy to the hand written cards.  It's great to know that we are appreciated and that we have so much support.  Once again I would like to thank you for the
service you are providing and I wanted to make sure you know that it is a big help to us over here.
 Sincerely,
 Nathan

Thanks for your support. To all of those involved with the Letters From Home Program I would like to thank you on behalf of the soldiers in my Unit. We really appreciate the generosity of all the individuals and groups that take the time and effort to show there support for us. Thanks again and may you all have a Happy Holiday Season!

   SSG Robert
  3637th SMC
 

Dear Ms. Jovenitti:
 Thank you very much for providing the joyous holiday greetings
 and gifts.   I was offered one while attending a Christmas eve service.
 Thank you very much for the effort and concern your organization is
providing.  I wish you could have been there with me to see the smiles
 and expressions of appreciation that soldiers were demonstrating when
 they received their gift packets.  Please tell all your outstanding
 great Americans (graciously providing their time and energy) that they
 are doing something that no one else could provide.  We are winning this
 thing and it will in no small part be because of great people such as

 yourself and organization.  God bless all of you!

Very Sincerely,  Mark Farrar Camp Buehring Kuwait        

 

 Hello, My name is Thomas John.. That is my first name. I am 24yrs old from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I received a care package over here in the sandbox with this email address attached.. I figured I'd take a little time and send a thank you back to the people responsible  for putting a smile on my face. I truly appreciate it!  :0) Thanks again!
 
             -Thomas John                (PFC) United States Army
 

Dear Chris:
Here are a four pictures taken during several of our Volunteer Community
Relations (VCR) program visits.  I help the VCR program during my free
time and we often make trips to refugee camps, school, orphanages or to
local communities to visit with the families and distribute much needed
clothing or other supplies.  We all enjoy meeting the families and
playing with the kids. 

I have plenty more if you want to see some but be careful what you ask
for as you may get inundated with pictures.  :)  The little girl in red
captured my heart.  I just had to take her picture.  I also printed
several of her pictures and had one of the local artists paint her on
canvas and it came out great.  And the artist was a young kid about
13-14 years old!  He did a super job!

Please let me know when you receive the flag as I'd like to know that it
did make it.  It's the least I could do to say thanks to you and all the
wonderful volunteers.  It makes our day when we receive packages from
home but knowing there is someone back home that cares is what makes it
all worthwhile.  Thank you!  Juan ****


 

To everyone involved at the Letters from Home Program,

Thank you for the soldiers of the 601st S3 office.  Your care packages and letters were received Thanksgiving day giving us all a very nice morale boost.  We can't say enough how much we appreciate the support we have received from home.   Keep up the great work and have a great Holiday Season. 

***********************************

Thank you, As Frank Sinatra and Elvis made so popular, "And now, the end is near: And so I face the final curtain..."  We are beginning to develop transition plans for my teams and myself to depart Iraq sometime early January 98.  As such, things will become hectic as it takes a lot of effort to make something like this happen and I wanted to make sure I had time to thank you.  I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of my teams and others here in Iraq for everything you have done for us.  Having your support, thoughts and prayers made a world of difference to all of us!!  I know the news sometimes does not portray all of the good things being done here, but let me tell you, the Coalition is doing some great things for the good people of Iraq in hompes of making it a better place for them to live.  Is has been a long deployment, but I feel we have made a positive difference.  Again, thanks you so very much for everything; it is my honor serving the United States and you as a member of the United States Air Force!  Sean ****  Camp Victory, Iraq

***********************************

Dear Letters from Home,  Thank you so much for your wonderful packages!  It has blessed so many people.  A lot of the items have been passed around throughout the units to those who have needed certain things.  You truly are a blessing!! Thank you   SSGT Kerstin ****

**************************************

Family and Friends,

After serving in Afghanistan for over 9 months now, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel much

clearer.  Much is happening on a a daily basis as we continue on this current mission.  We are looking forward to our future return back to the Kandahar (KAF) region as we get ready for the winter season.  Activity tends to slow down a bit in the winter so we do not know what is in store for us, but we are ready for a little more rest before the next mission.  Please keep us in your prayers as the guys are getting a bit restless as they look forward to their return to KAF.  Pray for alertness and physical strength to carry out this mission and return safely back to KAF  Pray for their families back home as they carry on month after month waiting for their soldier's return. 

Chaplain (CPT)Luis ***

82d ABN DIV

"Fury from the sky!"

********************************************

Ms. Christine Jovenitti

Hello my name is Captain Kevin ***, I am currently deployed to Afghanistan, I am writing to say thank you for the support and remembering us during the holidays. Because as you well know this time of the year is when the days get longer and the nights get shorter especially being away from family and friends.  Sometimes I ask myself are we really making a difference to a culture that has been living this way for centuries, I jokingly tell my daughter that what we do allows her and her friends the to sleep at night and to enjoy their freedom and she says that we in America are very blessed to have people like me and other soldiers who sacrifice their life’s everyday.  And as long as we leave here doing the best that we can do then we have successfully done our job here, that is winning the hearts and minds of the people here in Afghanistan to show them that there is a better way of life and to afford them the same opportunities that we have not so much materialistic but to value life.  Once again thank you and continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Kevin

Happy Holidays and Season Greetings

*********************************

11/07

Dear Letters From Home Program Volunteers,

 We cannot thank you enough for your kindness!!!   I received your care
package today and have shared its contents with my officemates.  It is
 grateful people like yourselves that have given of your free time to
 support and remind us servicemen and women that there is a grateful
nation that awaits our return.  Thank you for the wonderful items and

 know that they will all be put to good use to include the Christmas
cards which are hard to find in our PX.

Please pass along our gratitude to the following:

 Carol Holland
 Amy in Ohio
 Gerry Frey
 Mrs. Barbara Nelson
 Janet Healy
 Mrs. Velma Forfythe
 Mrs. James Forsythe
Ann Bell
Marilyn & Bob Jones

 If I have missed someone please accept my apology and relay to them our
 sincere gratitude.


You and all the other Letters From Home Volunteers have just made our
 day!!!

 Thank you and may God Bless You

Respectfully,
  LTC Juan Montoya
 

06/06/07

Dear Ms. Jovenitti:
I am a naval reservist who was recalled to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On January 19, 2007 I reported to the Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia.  The following week, I flew to Fort Dix, New Jersey for processing.  After that, I spent then weeks in Fort Riley, Kansas for training.  I am currently in Herat, Afghanistan, which is where I will remain for the next 12 months.  I am unsure if you ever receive any feedback from the Letters from Home Program. I just wanted to let you know that I received a package yesterday.  Among other wonderful things, it contained personal messages from :
Jack Johnson, age 11; Debbie, Chris James, Sydney, Olivia, and David Zak who sent a pocket flag with a note.  All of the messages have been posted on my locker.  And the flag, well I will keep that in my pocket.  I am not sure if you can get a message to these children, but if you can, would you please tell them that I said thank you.  I am happy to serve my country.  I am proud to serve my country.  And I know they support me - 100%  It is not easy being away from home for 15 months.  I am married with 2 small children. But packages like this and the notes from the children, make it all worth it.  Thanks again for thinking of the sailors, airmen, and soldiers.  I really appreciate it.  PS. The parents of the children should be very proud of them as well.  Sincerely,

CDR Scott

USN

5/15/07

Thank you so much for remembering me and my unit.  I just received your boxes today and passed them out to everyone.  I was surprised when the mail clerk told me that I had some big boxes.  I don't normally get mail.  I was like Santa Claus passing out all the gifts to each office.  I work in Joint Command with all Services of the military.  Keep me in mind for the next campaign.  We have increased our numbers now to 150 with 30 females. 

I see that you are based out of Pennsylvania and that would explain the Pittsburgh Steelers cards.  I have one guy that went nuts for the Steelers cards.  But if you happen to come across anything from the Cincinnati Bengals, then send that one directly to me.  I am a diehard Bengals fan.  No real special need here, but in July it gets real hot here.  Maybe your program could include those kool-aid Popsicles so we can put them in a freezer.  I am not sure what they are called, but the ones you could get when I was a kid from the store for a dime.  Thank you again for all your support and to everyone of the kids who hand decorated each bag.  SFC ..........

4/1/07

As tears form, all that I can say is Thank You.  Sent from Iraq minus the sand!

SSG

28th JASG Security Section

August 10,2006

August 9, 2006

 May 25, 2006

I just received one of your care packages, I'm not sure when it was sent but it was much appreciated. I’m sitting in East Africa and the well wishes from home are the best. Mail is key!  I would like to extend thanks and gratitude from 270 California based Marines for supporting us while we are at war. You are the best, you make being far away from home better! Thanks a million for the box!, Have a great day, and remember we all volunteered for this duty, and its people like you back at home that we do it for!

 American by birth, drunkard by choice, MARINE by the grace of GOD!

   I would like to thank you for the package I received from you and your organization on Monday, 15 May 06.  The support of your organization and others like it make this job a lot easier.  My soldiers and I appreciate your effort and your patriotism.  Again thank you and May God Bless you.

My husband called me today and told me that he received a package from you recently.  He wanted me to extend his appreciation.  He loved the letters and said that he passed them on to other Marines. Thank you for being so thoughtful.
 

May 16, 2006

May 15, 2006

Hi,

 I wanted to let you know I received the package in the mail today. Thank you very much for everything. It was nice getting letters. It’s been awhile since I read an actual letter. It seems like everything is on email these days. I’m currently in Iraq. I have been here for 118 days. I will be leaving within the next 15 days. I’m stationed out of Okinawa Japan at Kadena AFB. Thank you so much for the package. It meant a lot to me.

 SSgt Kevin

Hello,

First, I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me and my soldiers in Iraq. We recently received a box from you and enjoyed it. We will not return home till October 2006. I would love to be included in the July 30th Tie a yellow Ribbon Until they all come home campaign. We are a total of 6 soldiers, 3 girls and 3 boy. We would love a letter from home. The address is as follow in the bottom. Thanks again.

SGT Sally
 

Chris and Jim,

            I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the letters that you send to the troops overseas.  I have been deployed for 18 out of the last 24 months.  Besides managing my airfield I try to keep the morale of the troops up by sending them letters and packages, especially to the ones that receive very little mail.  I do find it very promising and enlightening that the people back home support us.  If there is anything that I can do for you please do not hesitate to ask.

All My Hopes,

 TSgt Tim

May 11, 2006

Dear Chris & Jim Jovenitti & Letters from Home Crew,

                    Thank you so much for taking the time to put together bags of goodies and letters for the folks here in  Djibouti, Africa.  It was so nice to read supportive letters and cards from folks of all ages back in Johnsonburg, PA.  I want to say thank you to Luis, Sammy, Bradlyn, Steven and the Sisters of Delta Zeta at Clarion (my mom is a Delta Zeta) for their encouraging words.  These packages mean a great deal to the troops.  Our colonel was so moved by one of the letters in a package he received that he shared it with us--twice!

I'm a captain in the Air Force working with other officers from the other branches of service.  I'm not here for very long (140 days), but some of these guys are here for 6 months to a year.  One of the Marines in my office left after spending over 400 days here!  I miss my wife and 5-year-old son a great deal, but keeping the terrorists in check and knowing my family is safe makes the separation worth it.

Please keep us in your prayers!  Pray for a hedge of protection around our camps and that our troops return safely to their loved ones.  Thanks again!

//SIGNED//
TODD - Capt, USAF

March 15,  2006

                My fellow Americans and patriots, greetings to all,

                    On behalf of each of the members of our small team out here, please accept our most humble thanks and   extreme gratitude for the bounty of support each and everyone of y’all have provided.  Be it a single Valentines card, box of goodies, book, magazine or envelope full of children’s cards, your gestures of kindness have not gone unnoticed.  And even though there may have been periods where the mail did not reach us, when it finally did, it did so in mass, and at every team member has received something!  It is more heartwarming than one can describe to see the support from home we have received over the last four months.  For everything that you have done, and every moment of time that you took out of your daily schedule to think about us, pray for us and send letters of support.....thank you!

             On a somber note, I would ask that you say a special prayer for the Marines and Sailors of 1st  Battalion, 3d Marines:  They lost 4 soldiers attached to their battalion a few days ago, who were trying to clear a route of mines so more Marines and my Afghan unit could travel safely through the area.  They gave the ultimate sacrifice to an enemy who doesn’t even have the courage to show their face, and for an nation of Afghan people they don’t even know.

February 8, 2006

Dear Mssrs. Chris & Jim Jovenitti

Letters from Home

Po Box 125

Johnsonburg, PA 15845

Dear Mssrs. Jovenitti,

    I want to express my appreciation for the invaluable support you provide to our men and women in uniform. As a member of the "America Supports You" team, your organization helps strengthen the bonds between our military and the Americans they serve.

    Thank you for letting service members and their families know how much their fellow Amercian's value their courage, commitment and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

Secretary of Defense,
Donald H. Rumsfeld

Washington

March 3, 2006

Dear Chris & Jim:
 

    I received your letter about a month ago and I have been a bit tardy in replying.  I want you to know how much my unit and I appreciate getting letters from folks back home.  It certainly lifts our spirits knowing how many people that we don't even know are thinking and praying for us.

    We arrived shortly before Christmas and for all of us that was a tough time.  My son why is 9 years old, was more upset that I would be gone before Christmas than he was about my deployment.  However, every effort was made to make Christmas far away from family and friends as bearable as possible.  Now we have been here 2 months and we have settled in to concentrate on our mission. 
    Since we are a veterinary detachment, we are scattered by small teams all over the AO.  It is so weird - we all deployed together but except for our team, we will see other members of our detachment on occasion and some not at all until we redeploys.  And I know you have the same question so many others have- what do vets do in the military?  As a veterinarian, I take care of the military working dogs, stray animal control and zoonotic disease prevention (ie: diseases from animals that affect man), food safety and inspection.  My soldiers are either animal care specialists (veterinary technicians) or veterinary food inspectors who inspect all food deliveries to the camps.  So we are kept fairly busy.

    As for my team, we will be here until the end of the year.  There are 5 males and I am the only female.  Two of the males are quite young. They arrived straight from school and deployed, the others are seasoned service members.  Cards and notes of encouragement would be appreciated to keep these fine soldiers going especially the two privates.  But it doesn't matter how many times you have been deployed knowing you have support at home helps.  We are happy to serve.  We know our mission is very important to keeping America safe.

    I know the thought of my children being safe and not living in fear of threats or attacks is what keeps me going.  We will not let America down. Thanks you again for your support.

Captain ..

218 the Medical Detachment Veterinary Services

February 1, 2006

    I am from Gettysburg, PA.  I received your package today.  Let me take this opportunity to thank you for such kindness and generosity.  I appreciate all of your efforts to send things to me and my comrades.  I write my friends and ask them why Americans say they support the troops but all they do is wear a T-shirt or put a bumper sticker on their car.  They support the troops all right but only if it requires no effort or break in their normal routine and convenience of their lives.  You are different.  You live the motto and the catch phrase.  You and organizations like you really support us.  I can not tell you what it means to have complete strangers thank me for my service in The War on Terror.  It really lifts our spirits to know that the people back home really do care and really do want to show it to us.  We do not do this job to be thanked or to be praised.  We do it for a variety of reasons:  college money, sense of duty, nothing else to do or other reasons.  But to have the people that we swore an oath to defend, send us a package and a letter does wonders for morale and helps us get through the long days.  I am comparatively safe where I am but others are not.  Your efforts make a world of difference to us and never ever forget that. God bless you and God Bless American.

Your friend...

December 23, 2005

I came across all the letter that you sent to US troops for the holidays.  It means a lot to see that people back home care about what we are doing over here.  I admit that it is sort of difficult to be here knowing that my family will have to make it through the season without me.  I know they understand that this is a choice I made and if I could go back and do it all over again, then I would have made the same choice.  It's different when you are on the outside looking in than actually being in the military because I actually see the difference we're making.  It's almost safe to say that I would much rather see myself come over here time and time again than to see some of these other people with families come but most of them are just as willing as I am.  I am only 21 and a sophomore in college and I can see the big picture!  It saddens me to see people back home protesting because it just shows that they don't get it.  By protesting, they are saying that every soldier who died here was in vain.

Merry Christmas and keep me in your prayers....and thank you again

    Thank you so much for the packages you have to my company! Especially the ones with the bags the children made! It was so much handing them out to everyone.  Anytime you want to include us in your program please feel free everyone enjoyed what you sent so much! 

Thank you again! 

Lisa

My fellow Americans, greetings to all,

     Hello and thank you so very much to everyone who has been gracious enough to send letters, cards and care packages to me/us over here in Afghanistan.  More importantly, thank you for all of your prayers.  You will have to forgive me for writing a generic letter to all of you, but you must understand that we don't have too much free time around here to write letters. 

      Before I go any further, I need to say thank you again for the overwhelming support so many of you have provided to the Marines of Marine Advisor Detachment- One (MAD-ONE)!!!  It is now Christmas Day, and I must tell you it was like Christmas at an orphanage about 3 days ago when a huge shipment of mail came in for everyone on the team; most of which came from folks they didn’t even know.  It almost brought a tear to one’s eye to see some the excitement and emotion of the Marines getting mail from people they don’t even know!  And the heartfelt and inspiring messages and care packages you all have sent are more than any of us deserve or could have ever expected.  Some of the men on my team have not received much correspondence from family or friends yet.  So from the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of all the Marines and Sailor on my team, THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU for everything you have done for us.

               Here is a picture of the group before Christmas with our team ‘dry erase’ Christmas Tree:

•          Even if you only planned to write one letter of support during the holiday season, you have already done much more than any of us would have asked.  I cannot tell you how inspiring it is to hear so many of you tell us that you support what we are doing, appreciate the freedoms so many people take for granted and include us in your prayers.  I must tell you, I have seen the hand of God working to protect us in several instances already.  Thank you again for thinking of us.  Some of the letters we received did not have return addresses on them, just names.  So I would ask if you do know of others who have written or sent care packages, please pass along our most sincere thanks.

   If you are able, or know of others who would be willing to write, please reach out to our Military thru programs such as "Letters from Home".   We Marines like to keep a tough exterior around others, but I will tell you that each Marine out here has been deeply touched because of you.  It means more than they will admit to hear someone other than his family support and thank him.  I know that God will bless each of you for this selfless act of devotion.  I pray that each of you receives it seven-fold!

 Semper Fidelis (always faithful),

Major Stuart Lankford

    I’m here in Kuwait, away from my loved one’s at the birth of Jesus (God’s only son). My wife and I are apart from each other for the first time in 27 years also my 25 year old son and 20 year old daughter) at Christmas. It’s does my heart good to know that people like you two are not only thinking about our soldiers, sailors, and marines, but that you took the time to write and also tell us you are praying for us. Thank you for your support, we are doing a great work here. You see things here that CNN and most newspapers won’t publish. The people here love and appreciate what we have done for them. I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

December 18, 2005

Dear Chris & Jim and Letters from Home Program

    Thank you and all of the kids that have sent cards to us.  You don't know how much

these little things mean to us especially when you get a letter from little kids with so much

encouragement.  We have 165 soldiers here and everyone of them appreciates the

cards and letters.  I am originally from around the Pittsburgh area and was deployed

 in Dec. 2003 and came home in Jan. 2005, my wife and I moved to the Denver Colorado area because she was offered a job she couldn't refuse and I couldn't find a well enough paying job, so I volunteered to come back over.  I did then and I do now still appreciate every letter and card  I receive from these young children.  They are just like my own.  Thank you so very much. 

Sincerely as always, 

SPC...

Dear Letters from Home:

    Thank you again for the wonderful packages - they always bring a smile to our faces - my guys are much appreciative of the wonderful thoughts and candy! Again, I just finished an operation and had a great package waiting for me on the other end of it - Thank you. Please know the thought and prayers are wonderful- we never have to worry about being forgotten with you!

Thank you..

Dear All:
    We of the 890th Trans Co. would like to send you our most heartfelt thanks for your support. It means a lot to all of the Soldiers here to know that our fellow countrymen and women think of us and wish us well. Mail Call has always been a great time for most Soldiers, but it is through organizations like the "Letters from Home Program", that everyone is included and grateful.  We appreciate everything you send, from the letters and card to personal items, to our favorite foods, and all kinds of wonderful items Soldiers can't get themselves overseas.  Before every mission that we on, our platoon takes the time to pray for our friends, family, fellow Soldiers, and those of you back in the states as well as the Iraqi's we are trying to help.  The 890th TC is a transportation company, which means that we haul supplies between the different bases throughout the Sunni Triangle in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.  The vehicles that we use are similar to our Freightliner semi tractor trucks, but they are equipped with the armor plating of a military tank.  The unit is from Green Bay, Wisconsin, however our Soldiers hail from all over the United States,  We value your support , and thank you for taking the time to write to us.  May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best Wishes,

890th TC, 1st Platoon Punishers

December 8, 2005

    Thank you so much for all the wonderful cards, letters and goodies that I received in my package.  I hope that each and everyone of you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Respectfully,

Sgt. Kevin....

    Thanks ever so much for the letters and xmas goodies. MAIL
is a great morale booster, for some there is not diversion here in Iraq other than work, convoys, patrols, etc.  It is always nice to get mail and know that we are cared about.

Tom

Dear Letters from Home Program:

    Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours from Iraq.  Than you so much for the boxes of goodies for the battalion. They all arrived yesterday and today.  I have begun to pass them out to the Soldiers and Airmen here in the 181st Transportation.  The expression on their faces when they received something from home and it isn't from a relative.  Many came by just to say thanks to me because I gave it to them.  Others were bringing the cards and letters from kids and families that put a personal touch with the cards and each were bragging about what they got inside the goodie bag.  Almost every door in my headquarters currently has a holiday door hanger on it which means everyone is sharing in the gifts you sent.  Please pass along our thanks once again for the continued support of the Troops here in Iraq and across the world.

Sincerely,

Command Sergeant Major...

Hello Letters from Home

    I am a member of the VT Army National Guard in Ramadi Iraq.  I received a package from you.  Thank you for the gifts.  The cards are nice, they brighten up my room.  The lattés remind me of a nice reminder of home as well.  Again thank you.

Sincerely,

John

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

    Hello all, I don't usually write letters at Christmas time, but decided it would be the best way to go this year.  I hope all is well with everyone back in the states.  I am doing all right, but my husband and I are split up into two different locations which makes it somewhat harder for us, but we do talk once in a while on the military phones.  For the first 6 months of our time here in this country we were in Iran.  It was a very safe place to be and we made some good friends in the unit that we were supporting from Tennessee.  The weather was really hot during the summer months and sometimes reached over 150 degrees.  We had to during a lot of water in order to stay hydrated.  There was one time when I obviously din not drink enough and ended up with an IV and given three bags of liquid.  Needless to say, I did not make that same mistake again.  It was so hot one time that when you went to sit in the porta john you could burn your butt because the seat was so hot.  I think that most people learned not to sit on the seats if they wanted to save their rumps!!

    We have come to realize that there are many things that we had always taken for granted that we now miss, such as family, hugs and kisses, holding hands, letting my hair down, grass, trees, home cooking, my mom's fudge, wearing civilian clothes, shopping, taking a shower without having to turn the water off in between lathering up and rinsing off, or even being lucky enough to get a showered and a warm one at that, saying prayers with the kids at night, or even being able to go for a walk without having to carry a weapon.  It is amazing all of the things you miss when you don't have them anymore. 

    It is now about 40 degrees or so at night and about 65 during the day.  This Christmas will be hard for us not being able to be with our children, but we told them that it doesn't matter when we get home we will still set up our tree and have a Christmas together even if it is in April.  I think the children liked that idea. I know too that between our families they are being well taken care of and definitely not neglected. 

Thank you all for the prayers and support from you back home.  This has definitely been a very long and hard experience to go through and we can not wait until we

are all back home and together again. 

Sincerely,

Ryan and Raquel

    Hello, I just wanted to send all of you a thank you card for the goodies and packages were great!! All of my unit enjoyed every bit of them.  I can not thank you enough.  The support that you showed is great.  I can not believe how supportive everyone is being while we are deployed.  I know this card isn't much thanks but it is the least I could do.  Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Yours truly

Sgt Kyle...

I greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness in the letters and packages you have sent.  Your letters from home Program is a great way to build the morale of soldiers.  Sometimes receiving letters is the only way to keep spirits up and to know there are people back home that are supportive and care.

Thank you for your time and support.

Spc Banden

US Army Reserve

November 23, 2003

October 22, 2005

Sept. 13, 2005

Dear Kind Hearts:

    Hi,  I am a 50 caliber machine gunner here in Iraq.  I was delighted to get your letters and packages today.

You should have seen all the happy soldiers.  It was magical.  Thank you so much for your love and support.

It is nice to know you are there. It's my pleasure to serve, anytime, anywhere.

We love you.

PFC

September 30, 2005

Thank you Johnsonburg for sending me a box of letters and supplies.  I liked the

socks and freezer pops!  I am standing with my team members in Camp Slayer, which is

located outside of Baghdad.  I am the one on the right, wearing a desert uniform and holding the Pennsylvania flag. 

Thanks again.

332nd Civil Affairs Brigade

Sept. 29, 2005

Letters from Home...Thanks for thinking about us. We enjoyed the care packages

you sent to our unit in Iraq.  We are very glad to have your support.

HHC 1/109 INF

September 3, 2005

Dear Chris and Jim:

I just received a packet of letters and treats that were sent from your organization, "Letters from Home Program".  All were distributed through our unit.  I want to thank you for taking the time to organize this and for thinking about us over here in Iraq.  Also, I would love to be added to your mailing list.  If there is a way that I may be of assistance to you from here, just let me know. Additional information, my home is in Richmond, Virginia. My unit is located in the northern city of Mosul.  We interface with the government and assist with the rebuilding effort, physical as well as governmental reconstruction.

Thanks again for your interest in what we are doing. 

LT. Colonel...

Chief of Government Services

401st Civil Affairs Btn.

Camp Courage

July 29, 2005

Extreme Appreciation

      June 20, 2005
A Note of Thanks for a job well done.

June 18, 2005

Support makes all the difference.