Care Packages and Thank-You Notes for our Troops in Afghanistan

self | 7-3-04 | patriciaruth

[patriciaruth]

Our troop support group finally found a way to send care packages to our troops in Afghanistan, and I've received a couple letters this week requesting goodies. We're pretty excited about finally making contact, and are inviting others who want to show support to join us.

If you can't afford to contribute money or goods, the troops also really appreciate letters, cards and notes, and request your prayers for their safety and peace of mind.

The first set of care packages and thank you cards and notes that we sent to Afghanistan for the Fourth of July were received with joy and you can read about them on the second half of our last thread, Write a Thank You Note to a Soldier in Iraq this Memorial Day Weekend

We've been collecting goodies and contributions toward the next set of care packages to go to Afghanistan. Our contact there will send them to the troops at the outlying fire bases, and has requested toiletries, movies, paperback books, snacks, and games for them.

Also, there are ongoing requests from a group of soldiers near Kirkuk in Iraq for items for the poor village schools and children in the surrounding area, specifically elementary school supplies and children's toys and crayons 24 to a box are a special project of theirs.

[katnip]

Items needed for support for the families of the wounded soldiers while they are visiting their loved one are children's play items

What a timely post! We're moving to Pennsylvania in a few weeks and my 12 year old has so many toys he's outgrown, some never even opened. I thought we would have a garage sale, but I'm running out of time.

Vic says he'd rather send his toys to soldiers kids than sell them at a garage sale. So, Freepmail me where I can send all this stuff. I have a ton of kids books too!

[patriciaruth]

You have FReepmail!

[patriciaruth]

Sgt C is hip deep in supplies they are sorting and packaging now for the school kids in the villages near Kirkuk.

I'm sure they have arrived, but as they seem to have been hit with a last minute diluge, I don't know if he will be able to remember.

However, FReepmail me your address and the name of the school(s)/group that the kids who donated came from, and I'll follow up and see what I can do about getting some official acknowledgement sent to them.

I know this will mean a lot to them, so I am happy to do it; and I know what to ask for.:-)

Cheers!
Patty

[Dante3]

bttt

[asgardshill]

There are two Playstation 2s sitting on my kitchen table. (And there are two VERY torqued-off G'oauld with nothing to play with right now) :)

The systems have everything except one memory card (which I am getting locally). I also have 15 games and should be getting 4-5 more tomorrow. Both systems were tested and work great.

Be looking for them late this week - will Freepmail you when they get out of here.

[AuntB]

Thank you, patriciaruth!

[patriciaruth]

Mailed to KIRKUK, September 4, 2004. Postage $46.00, insured for $430.

Thanks to asgardshill, norton, Mo1, jtill, JustAmy, AuntB, writer33 for contents
3 Magazines: Allure*, Self*, People*
5 CD music: Lean Back (Fat Joe), Hurt No More (Mario Winans), Behind the Decks (Bad Boy Bill), Radiohead (the bends), Black History Month's Music History Makers
12 Books: Random Harvest (James Hilton), Still Missing (Beth Gutcheon), The Sea-Wolf (Jack London), Teeth of the Tiger (Tom Clancy), Sarun: A Novel of England (Edward Rutherfurd), The Right Stuff (Tom Wolfe), Elective Decisions (Davis), The Joy Luck Club (Amy Tan), A Little Magic (Nora Roberts*), Captivated (Nora Roberts*), Incident at Twenty-Nine Mile (Trevanian), Jewels (Daniel Steele)
15 DVD movies: How to Deal* (Mandy Moore), Butterfly Effect* (Ashton Kutcher), A Beautiful Mind* (Russell Crowe), Life is Beautiful *(Begnini), The Others* (Nicole Kidman), The Eyes of Laura Mars (Fay Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones), Awakenings (Robert de Niro, Robin Williams), Good Will Hunting (Matt Damon, Robin Williams), Not Without My Daughter (Sally Field), The Killing Fields (Hiang Ngor), Dennis Miller-The Raw Feed (2003), Shanghai Knights (Jackie Chan), Chinese Connection (Bruce Lee), Shogun's Ninja, Patton (George C. Scott)
7 VHS movies:Ordinary People (Timothy Hutton, Mary Tyler Moore), The Joy Luck Club, It Runs in the Family (Michael Douglas, Kirk Douglas), Men in Black (Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones), Red Dawn (Patrick Swayze), VHS recording 2004 Republican Convention Speeches Days 1, 2, and 3, VHS recording 2004 Republican Convention Day 4
Stationery: Box 12 flower note cards, 6 Birthday cards, 6 pencils
Misc: 6 cooling headbands, box 24 AA batteries
Candy: 3 small Butterfingers, 3 small Three Musketeers, 3 white chocolate Reese's peanut butter cups, 3 peppermint hard candy, 3 butterscotch hard candy, 3 pks gum
Toiletries fillers:12 3-pks of Q-tips, 1 travel Kleenex, box 11 sample cologne wipes
Letter from Thor, Letter from patriciaruth, We Love our Overseas Troops bumpersticker.
*requested by the gals at Kirkuk

[patriciaruth]

I received a couple letters from Bagram with pictures. Can anyone scan them and put them on the thread if I mail them to you?

[patriciaruth]

Form Email from KIRKUK with some sad news.

Dear Patricia,

Greeting’s from Northern Iraq, my apologies for the untimely reply. My men and I have been out of the wire conducting ground offensive operations. In fact, only recently did one of my platoons returned from Najaf. I received your letter and care-package. The support of the American people means the world to us who’ve been fighting for America and Iraq’s freedom. Your kindness speaks volumes to your patriotism and dedication to America’s fighting men and women. Thank you very much.

It’s been tough 24hours. My brigade lost another Soldier to a sniper yesterday. Please include Specialist Joseph Tibido in your prayers tonight. Like Joseph, many of the brave Soldiers I have the privilege to command are barely out of high school. In fact, many are still not old enough to drink beer yet with a rifle on-hand, they hold the line for you and me. They sacrifice so much yet ask so little. I’m so honored to be serving along side these young heroes daily. They are the best sons and daughters of America.

But please never feel sorry for us. We don’t need anyone’s sympathy. This is the life we chose and darn proud of it. Our comfort in that we will always be able to say that once upon our lifetime, we committed our selves, spouses, and families in a cause that was noble and good; we did it not for glory, or territory, or riches but simply to liberate a hopeful people and bring peace to a troubled part of the world. In the Bible it said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” We are the good guys. We are America’s team. Failure isn’t an option. If it is, 900 hundred of our fallen brothers in arms would have died for NOTHING. We will prevail.

Please be assured that I speak for every member of Beast Battery when I tell you how happy and grateful we are when your letter and care-package arrived. It’s an honored to be fighting for all of you back home. Regrads to Ken and Laura H***, Kimberly P****, Alba P**** and your merry band of patriots. God bless our troops. God bless America.

Carry on with a peaceful evening…all is secure…Beast Battery is on watch…HOOAH!

From Freedom’s Frontline – Northern Iraq,

CPT M****
Commander, B/1-62 ADA
U.S. Army

[Kathy in Alaska]

RIP SPC Joseph Tibido

[JustAmy]

Prayers are being offered for Specialist Joseph Tibido. May he rest in peace knowing that we are in his debt.

Please Father bless and comfort Joseph Tibido's family. Please hold them in your loving embrace. Please bless and protect our military as they fight terrorism throughout the world. We ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen

[patriciaruth]

We remember SPC. Joseph Tibido and his family in prayer.

The Prayer at Valley Forge by Arnold Friberg

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14: 26-27

[Dante3]

BUMP

[asgardshill]

A great and terrible letter, all at the same time. I'll light a candle for SPC Joseph Tibido.

[etabeta]

thanks for this great letter. My God, they are so humble!
Gathered another big load of books which will be sent (I hope) next week by my son.
Thank you for the great works you do and thank you for being such an inspiration. Blessings, etabeta

[New Perspective]

You can send them to me and I will do what ever you want with them. PM me and I we will work out the details.

[patriciaruth]

Ah, are you talking about scanning and posting the pictures?

If so, FReepmail me your address.

[patriciaruth]

Ping.

[patriciaruth]

Finally managed to mail this today after two weeks trying to get myself in gear.

Care package mailed September 10, 2004, to Bagram: Postage $41.38 insured for $530. Thanks especially to asgardshill, norton, swheats, JustAmy, AuntB, Finny
32 DVD movies: Hidalgo, Orange County, Alien quadrilogy, The Right Stuff, Die Hard, Predator, Witness, The Chinese Connection 2, The Great Escape, On Any Sunday, Windtalkers, The Sixth Sense, Don't Say a Word, Stand and Deliver, La Bamba, Million to Juan, The Mask of Zorro, Desperado, Martial Arts Samurai 4 pack, Conan O'Brian Late Night Triumph the Insult Dog, Dawn of the Dead, Jason goes to Hell, Jason X, Red Dragon, Shocker, Serpent and the Rainbow, People under the Stairs, Without Warning, The Thin Red Line
7 VHS movies: The Unforgiven (Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn), Arthur (Dudley Moore, Liza Minnelli), Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Blair Witch Project, The Crawling Hand, The Pit and the Pendulum, Plan 9 from Outer Space.
4 Books: Still Missing (Beth Gutcheon), Book of Irish Verse, The Teeth of the Tiger (Tom Clancy), Secret Honor (W.E.B. Griffith)
6 birthday cards, 10 notecards, 1 travel Kleenex
7 bars of candy (smores, skittles, cookies and cream, Reese's PB cup, lollypop, hazel nut balls, fruit bar)
Printout of 5 speeches from the RNC convention: McCain, Giuliani, Schwarzenegger, Zell Miller, and President Bush.
5 cooling headbands

[DrDeb]

Just wanted to let you know that I just mailed my 3rd package to our friend in Iraq . . . on Monday I will mail a 4th package, complete with videotapes of key speeches from the Republican National Convention!

Thank you for all that you are doing for the troops -- YOU'RE A VERY SPECIAL PERSON INDEED!!!