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And the emails keep rolling in...

Hello. My name is Dan and I am in the National Guard. I am currently a crew chief on the Apache helicopter, and am also qualified (secondary MOS) as a crew chief for the Black Hawk. A co-worker and lieutenant of mine led me to this sight. I was wondering exactly what "the deal" is. They said it was a website supporting people deployed or going to deploy overseas to the big sandbox. I think that what you are doing is very worthwhile and is a lasting impression of thanks. My unit is rumored to be heading off to Afghanistan in a few months. From the latest info, we may be located at some remote and just plain "yucky" fire bases around the country. So to come about a website that shows what ordinary people are doing to "help ease the pain" to those away from their families is just humbling. Thanks, Dan
Hello, my name is MAJ Jason [redacted]. I am a front line infantry officer (BN XO) right in the middle of Baghdad, got my CIB and have been in several contacts with the enemy. We're taking it to the insurgents daily! I was told by my CSM that you all were providing knives to us on the front line in the War on Terrorism. He just got his in and I have to say that I am extremely impressed. It's hard to find such a good knife that will keep an edge. I was interested in seeing if I could receive one as well. I would be interested in either the Gerber LMF II, Camillus CQB1SG, or Camillus/Becker BK2 “Campanion”. Any one of these would be great. I'll trust your judgement on the best one. Also, as with my CSM's, could you inscribe BANDIT 5 - OIF III on the blade? Thanks for your support of the troops. It is greatly appreciated.
I am currently in Infantryman currently deployed to Iraq for the last six months in support of OIF III, Task Force Bandit. I was shocked to know that some of my soldiers just received some of your knives. I am impressed with the quality and balance of your knives that they received from your company. I am very interested in getting one of your Hobbit Hole knives.
One of my First Sergeants and my Command Sergeant Major told me about how your organization supports the front line soldiers deployed around the world. I would just like to thank each and every one of you for this superb gesture of support to the soldiers here in Iraq that are on the front lines fighting in close combat with the enemies of the United States.

I am a commander of Infantry and Cavalry Scouts patrolling some of the toughest areas in Baghdad. We have been here almost a year now and we are looking forward to getting back home to the Great USA soon. There are a lot of soldiers over here but very few venture out of the Forward Operating Base to do their jobs like the combat soldiers. All the soldiers get the same pay and incentives for being here but not all engage in close combat with the enemy on a daily basis. I do not mean to belittle the work that the majority of the support soldiers conduct because it is important but very few are ever exposed to the IEDs, Car Bombs, Sniper Fire, RPG attacks, Grenade attacks, Small Arms Fire, rendering first aid to the wounded local nationals, cutting yourself out of a HUMMWV upside down and underwater in a canal, and all the other things that the combat soldiers must be prepared to deal with on a regular basis working 12-16 hour days almost every day of the week. I have seen these soldiers in combat and they impress the hell out of me every day and I am extremely proud of their work here. They are true professionals and it is a privilege and honor to serve with these fine soldiers.

Thank You for recognizing this fine group for the hard work that they do and that many have been wounded or killed while giving their best.

BANDITS FOREVER,

LTC Dan

I'm reading those emails right now. Every one of those fine troops will get the Hobbit Hole knife they have earned.

I've also come to the conclusion that we must end the sheath-knife portion of our Hobbit Hole program. Despite the many contributions that have come in, we give out $50 and $100 dollars worth of knive for each dollar coming in. It's unsustainable.

I will continue to send knives to these two National Guard units to the best of my financial ability. But further gifts of sheath knives will be restricted to troops personally known by us folk in the Hobbit Hole.

The donation of Camillus folding knives will continue as before. They will go out to anyone who asks for them. That was our original purpose in setting up the program.

I was going to write an email to Gerber, mentioning to them how well received their five knives were. I'll still to that, since they have earned the praise these knives brought.

We'll still be buying Camillus sheath knives as the need arises, because Camillus has been extremely generous and supportive, and we can buy in any quantity needed.

This last week has brought me lots of pleasure as I read the emails coming in, a lot of them directly to me, rather than through the web site. It's only due to the sheer volume, and lack of time, that I haven't shared them here.

But Christmas must end, even for Santa Claus. The fixed-blade portion of our knife project has to end before we start making other troops unhappy. We will continue to donate knives to these two National Guard units, one in Iraq, the other still stateside. And these knives will still go to troops personally known by Hobbit Hole members.

And the pocket knife program will go on as always.

Thank you for your support in all of this. The task is just too great for even the Hobbit Hole to undertake any longer.

Rick