Here's the cover letter to Andy. It was far more difficult to write than the others. No way would I want Rummie's job, machine signature or not.
My name is Rick. I am a member of The Hobbit Hole, a group that supports our troops. We have been made aware of your service through correspondence between your mother, Celeste, and our Hobbit-friend Kim.
We send out the little Hobbit Hole knife to troops as a token of our gratitude. Yours is just like the hundreds of others we have sent out, with the exception of engraving your name on it, too.
The other, somewhat bigger, knife is our “Hobbit Hole Special”. It is given in expression of our deep gratitude for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Other recipients include a chaplain in the Army’s 82nd Airborne, and the Commanding General, First Marine Expeditionary Force. We are honored to add you to that list.
We are also humbled by your courage and sacrifice. While this small token is as grand as we can make it, it is still only an imperfect approximation of our pride and gratitude for your honorable service to our country.
Please remember us kindly in the better days ahead. We won’t be forgetting you, or your comrades.
For the Hobbit Hole: