The best thanks we get is from the troops themselves. Here’s some excerpts from some of the notes we receive. We’ll be posting more when we get them, so check this post often!

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Thank you from the 655th RSG for all of your support. It is good to know that there are organizations such as yours that are there for those deployed. If there is anything we at the 655th can do for you please let me know. Thanks again. CSM Jeff Morse, 655th RSG

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As we pull out shortly and his unit settles in, I thought of all you all and the great support you provided us the year we were here. Again thank you for all you have done for our soldiers. CSM Virgil T. Akins, Command Sergeant Major, 645th RSG, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

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Just wanted you to know that the boxes arrived today. Thank you and your team for all the great support. CSM Virgil T. Akins Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan

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I got four boxes today and my Soldiers ran through them like savages. they all said " thank you." I got some pics I will upload them when i get a chance. Thank you for real there isn't a lot here so everything helps. Scott Williams Afghanistan

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I just wanted to thank all of you for the packages I received the other day!!! We all enjoyed them! Much love!!!!!!!!! Tony Cook Afghanistan

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OMG, real American Heinz Ketchup! Thank you for the care packages... from the 9th Communications Battalion in Afghanistan. Rick TheBreeze

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Thank you for the packages they were great.. My fellow soldiers and myself really enjoyed them alot..and thank you Tami Morgan for my message from my sister..
SPC Travis Napier E co 3/82nd AVN Afghanistan

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Thank you for all that you do for our Military and thank you for the care packages you have sent to me for my Soldiers. Phillip Billodeaux POB Salerno Afghanistan

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Got our boxes here at Bagram AB today! Task Force Odin troops all say thanks so much for these and your support!! Mike Tays Bagram AB Afghanistan

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Hello,

My name is SSG Fred "Bubba" Ganous. I am with Company B, 1204th Aviation Support Batallion, 29th Combat Aviation Brigade stationed in Udairi, Kuwait. I received your boxes today, and what a wonderful surprise it was for me to get this. Thank you so much for thinking of us while we are deployed away from our family. I am a member of the Alabama Army National Guard stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. This is my third deployment, and it seems as if they are coming way to fast for some of us. I am a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter crewchief, and fly missions around the southern border of Iraq, and Kuwait.

The last time I was here in 2007 we were stationed just north of Baghdad, and flew hundreds of missions in, and around the Baghdad area. We are currently about 20 miles south of the Iraqi border as a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) if the U.S. needs to return to Iraq. The base here is in the northern desert of Kuwait far away from any city. We have no power except by generator, and water has to be trucked in daily. We currently live in a tent that sleeps 50 snoring soldiers. The food is a little different, but when you are hungry its not hard to consume. We are not sure how long we are to be here, but we have orders for 400 days which started August 27th 2011. My Aunt is Marie Addison, and I gave her my address where I was stationed. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and others here that the American people have not forgotten us during the holidays. It can be very stressful when you are away from loved ones for such a long period of time.

My wife has gotten used to me being deployed. The stress is more on the family members than us at times. As I said before this is the third deployment, and much shorter than our last (18 months). Again thank you for what you do for the troops, and I can assure you that each, and every one of us will enjoy what you have sent.

Sincerely,
SSG Fred "Bubba" Ganous
God Bless you all!!

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I just wanted to thank you and TBTS for all you do. We had just got back from a long, cold, hard, mission and it was awsome to come back to all the packages you guys sent. Sincerely, Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

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8th Comm. BN Friends,

All good things must come to an end, and so to must our deployment. We are leaving soon, and due to Operational Security, cannot share specifics.

Chaplain Kitzman and I would like to take this time to WHOLEHEARTEDLY thank each and every one of you, and your volunteers, for making this deployment MUCH MORE bearable than it would have been without your GENEROUS and KIND donations and gifts. The gifts from your heart have truly spoken volumes to our Marines and Sailors.

If you have any boxes that you are about to send to us, please hold-off. Please wait a month until our relief has had an opportunity to get their "boots" on the ground and acclimate to the area.

If you do not have any objections, I would like to send your email addresses/organizational addresses, to our replacements, so that they can use you as Care Package points of contact. Please respond via this email if this is acceptable to you and your organization.

Again, let me reiterate, from myself and Chaplain Kitzman, how truly blessed we were to receive your cards, care packages and words of encouragement, during the past 7 months. Words cannot express to the fullest extent or to describe how much your support has meant to us and to the other Marines and Sailors of 8th Communication BN. Again, thank-you for your generous support.

Very Respectfully,

LT Glen Kitzman, 8th Comm. BN. Chaplain
RP2 James Suddeth, Jr., 8th Comm. BN. RP

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I just wanted to let you know, that your boxes arrived, and were gratefully received by our BN. Much of the boxes, thank you again for the Xmas Decorations they will help our tree immensely, will be used for our upcoming Christmas ‘Party’ as gifts or snacks. Please tell your volunteers, and yourselves, how greatly appreciated it was to receive boxes from the States, especially during the Christmas/New Year season.

Thank you very much. Hope to talk to you soon.

Very Respectfully,

RP2 James Suddeth, Jr.
8th Comm. BN RP
II MHG/II MEF
Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

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Just wanted to shoot you and email and thank you and all your supporters for all the great gifts we received here for our unit. We all do appreciate so much all that you have done for us especially now over the holidays. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.

We received the boxes yesterday evening and I spent 1/2 the day distributing all the great gifts.

Again thank you all.

CSM Virgil T. Akins
Command Sergeant Major
645th RSG, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

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Thank you for all that you do for the military. I am currently deployed in Afghanistan for the third time and also have two deployments to Iraq. I am greatful and thankful for all the support that we receive from you. I have enclosed a few pictures of what myself and my soldiers do here in an aviation unit. I have family and friends in Tampa Bay. I went to Largo High School where I graduated in 1996. Thanks again for your support and I would like to thank you all in person when I come home and visit Tampa Bay.

SSG Phillip J. Billodeaux
Echo Company
1-82 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
82nd Aviation Brigade
82nd Airborne Division

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So we go to pick up the mail today and there are ten boxes addressed to me! Holy crap it’s like Christmas! Lol. We’re a small team so I passed most of them out to servicemembers in units that share our compound and everyone is enjoying the sunflower seeds, candy, and cookies. The toiletries were a big hit too, but the Girls of the Wing House calendar is by far everyone’s favorite.

Just wanted to say thank you. Your support is very much appreciated.

David Williams

Taji Iraq

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“I wanted to let you know that my son received his packages today!! He wanted me to tell you how much he appreciates it and will share with the guys in the company. Thank you so much for what you do!!!!”

Angie Music-Cook Longgood

(Anthony Cook, Afghanistan)

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Kandahar, Afghanistan. Kevin Darlington received our packages today and relayed the message to us through our own Jim Meegan. “My nephew got his boxes today. He was very overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. He wanted me to pass that on. Thanx again for all you have done!”

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Hello! Just wanted to let you know today we received your packages. This is great! The Tampa Bay Troop Support Group came through with flying colors! As soon as we opened the boxes, the Marines snatched up most of the goodies within a couple hours. That was alot of stuff! As of the writing of this email, everything is gone!

From Camp Leatherneck, We Thank You all for bringing a little bit of what we’ve missed from home…. all the way to us here in Afghanistan!

~Semper Fidelis~

-Rick Ivory

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Hello Team,

I wanted you to all know that we received 10 great boxes of things from your organization today. It was awesome. I did share some of the things with my unit.

But I wanted you to know that we are sharing a large quantity of the items with the wounded warriors we have here on KAF (Kandahar Air Field). They will greatly appreciate the crackers, the razors, shampoo ect. I hope to get this to them Monday.

Again thank you for your great gifts and I will be sending you letter in the future.

Again thank you.

CSM Virgil T. Akins

Command Sergeant Major

645th RSG, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

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Got the packages today! They are great!! Everyone says thanks to you guys! Mysteriously, a lot of the rice krispie treats ended up in my room! lol

Mike Tays, Afghanistan

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Guys I have to say thank you for all of your support this rotation out, it lets us all know that we are not forgotten.

James Pittman, Afghanistan

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Tampa Bay Troop Support,

Thank you so much for your generous donation for my squadron. A lot of troops were very excited to have some new items to choose from. We have many here that travel, so the travel size items were a big hit because they fit in our carry on bags perfectly. Supporters like you help us keep going. It’s so nice to know we have people who really appreciate our service and go out of their way to help us. Thanks again from the Red Horse Squadron of Hurlburt Field, FL.

Nicole Taber, Afghanistan

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Eric Steven Minnix, Afghanistan. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! I got the packages and it was as if God rained a miracle over this FOB. The 4/2 SCR and I appreciate your support. Thank you very much.

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Jessica Huffman, Afghanistan. Hey! I just got 6 packages from you guys here at Camp Stone, Afghanistan. I just wanted to say I’m very thankful, couldnt have came at a better time, we have a month long convoy coming up, Thank you guys so much

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Eric Scott McInnes, Afghanistan. I recieved your last packages, Thank you. Ill be headed home around June so you can take my name off the list. Thanks for all your help over the past year. God Bless

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Ill be home Mid August from this deployment…Looking forward to lots of Rays and Bucs games!!!! Thanks for all the support while ive been away.

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Rick from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Just want to let you know we received the care packages, and it all could not of arrive at a better time! 2 boxes came in per day for three days and each were gobbled up in no time! Please let everyone know back home that the Marines out here really appreciate your support and hard work. Semper Fidelis!

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James Pittman, Afghanistan. Hi guys, I would just like to say a big thanks from all of us out here, to all of you for your support. We have some limited supply’s out here, and what you have sent us will be used, and go quite a long ways towards making our deployment so much better.

Once again thank you all so much,

James

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We received 6 packages today. Me and all my guys really enjoyed them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, what u do for us troops is awesome. Its amazing how some snacks and and magazines can make a shitty day in IRAQ feel like Christmas. WE ALL thank everyone who were involved. THANK YOU f…rom Chris L in Iraq

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Email from my husband who is deployed to Afgh: “tell Dave thanks for the mail and Ill try to use the xmas ornaments on my building and take pics. and thank you to all the people who helped him put the boxes together!” ♥ and a huge thank you from me too, guys! happy holidays

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A Big THANK YOU to the Seminole Alumni Troop Support Volunteers. Today we received your packages, and everyone loved it! Found plenty of X-Mas decorations that will help brighten our holiday spirits, especially the Red Hat and Nose. Myself, I enjoyed the Motorcycle and Model Magazines! We ap…preciate y…our generous support and wish everybody a safe and joyous holiday season!

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Hey thanks for the Christmas stuff! Sorry it took so long to get back to u i was on leave and we just got the stuff!! It was awesome and the guys loved it!!! Anyways thanks again and i will be moving camps soon so if u send more stuff wait a lil while until i can get u the new address. Thanks again and… i will ttyl!!!

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I just want to Thank You for the boxes you sent. Everyone in my shop enjoyed everything in the boxes. I wasn’t expecting six boxes, but it was awesome. The soldiers had a blast going through them. I wish I could have taken a picture of their faces when they saw me bringing in the six boxes. I can’t thank you guys enough. The boxes came the day after my birthday, so it was like a birthday gift for me to see the soldiers faces light up. I hope you have a wonderful day:-) You are doing great things! I pray for good people like you guys everyday cause its hard and few in between to find good honest people anymore. I will be home soon. I will be flying into Savannah, GA the first week of November sometime. Thank You guys again!!!

Sincerely,

Jean Yarbrough

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WOAH! i received several packages. you guys are the best thank you soo much. im saving all this stuff for when i go down range. thank you so much.

Eric Steven Minnix

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I recived 6 packages today. Me and all my guys really enjoyed them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, what u do for us troops is awesome. Its amazing how some snacks and and magazines can make a shitty day in IRAQ feel like Christmas. WE ALL thank everyone who were involved.THANK YOU

Chris Larose

Iraq

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Just wanted to say thanks very much for your very generous packages- We really appreciate the gesture and the guys really appreciate the supplies, candies, and books/magazines. Thanks to you and the people that put these packages together- great work and thanks for keeping up our morale!

VR

ELI N. JACKSON, Capt, USAF

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Thank you very much for the care packages. I am the Platoon Sergeant for a Human Intelligence Collection Platoon. I have 23 guys and gals split in groups of two in my charge throughout our battle space. My only goal is to complete the mission and ensure that every one of my Soldiers makes it home (with all 10 fingers and all 10 toes) to their loved ones.

Our mission has just started a couple of months ago and the days are long and slow. When I get the care packages I open them up to split them into separate boxes to send to the teams. I didn’t realize I knew so much about my troops. I know who is obsessive about flossing, who likes Gun magazines, Maxim magazines (there is more than one who wanted that magazine), obsessive hand washers, ones that keep their nails clean and so forth. The Forward Operating Bases vary greatly. Some have washer machines, some get showers some don’t, none have a place that personal hygiene items or snacks can be purchased.

It is the highlight of our day to get packages. Kind of like Christmas, it’s a surprise. You start craving things you would never crave back in the states but here it is gold. Thank you very much for taking the time and monies to support my guys. It is a great feeling to get packages from home or from great Americans showing their appreciation. Thank you very much for keeping us in your thoughts.

SSG Melanie Cornier

(Rakkasans, part of the 101st Airborne – expected to leave Afghanistan Feb, 2011)

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My name is Ben Quezada, and Mario DeLucia unbeknown to me had provided you with my name and address to receive care packages in Al Amarah, Iraq. First let me say thank you Dave & Rhonda Dabney along with your group Seminole Alumni Troop Support, you are true patriots!! I cannot begin… to find the words to describe how much we appreciated receiving the packages. We all know it takes time out of your day to get these boxes filled and sent out to the troops in the field! All of us here would like to give you our heartfelt thanks for your support!

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I’m not sure how you rec’d my name as the Point of Contact for so many wonderful boxes of goodies but THANK YOU!!!! I am originally from Oneonta, Alabama. By sheer coincidence, I met a school acquaintance from the same town, here in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Haven’t seen her for 35 years but it was just like old times. There was a (I believe) Sergeant Major who was going back to the states that asked if she knew any units out in the boonies that needed some care packages. She did relay my name to him. I don’t think she every told me his name but perhaps this is due to that. In any case, please let me know how you found my name to ship to.

You already know from the address where my unit is located so I won’t give it here. My unit was first to occupy the airfield so it was pretty sparse. We continue to improve it every day but there are many things that we still do not have. Some sort of store to purchase American stuff is one of them. So what we do is, when care packages come in, we download the contents onto shelves to create a sort of store. We call it the free PX (Post Exchange). Your stuff was on the shelves for about 20 hours before it was gone. The shelves looked like one of Momma’s baked chickens after the boys get finished. Nothing left but the bones. That’s the way of it here. Anything that comes is craved by someone. So, you did good!

I am part of an Army Aviation unit flying helicopters. Again, can’t go into detail here but I do think it is necessary to let you know something about your bone pickers. Any kind of aviation unit does not travel lightly- lots of folks, lots of stuff. and lots of work. The days are long and getting hotter, although I will say that we have been pretty lucky so far with the weather. Wasn’t too cold in the winter and with crossed fingers I say that it hasn’t been too hot yet either.

Before I get too far along, I must remember to ask you to thank the children of Ms. Jetton’s Class and Ms. Jetton herself. The letters are always a blast to read. Many times the art is outrageous and humorous but the honesty of kids always bowls me over. I would have sent her a thanks directly but there was no email address. A special thanks goes out to Carter, who I am supposing is your son. Thanks Carter!

All of the care and support expended in the packing and shipment of these boxes is felt by each of us. We sincerely hope that our service is deserving of such generosity. Thanks again. Can not promise all correspondence will be answered but will give it my best shot. No promises. Hoping life is light for you and yours!

CW4 Ron Rogers

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I would like to thank you and everyone involved with the Seminole Alumni Troop Support for the amazing care package I recently received. It was a very pleasant surprise when my platoon sergeant told me I had a package, and it was even better to see the goodies inside. It means a lot t…o know that there are people back home thinking abuot all the service members. Everyone likes to say “Support the Troops”, and even put stickers on their cars, however you and the Seminole Alumni Troop Support go out of your way to send us pieces of home. I am very grateful to all of you, and I am proud to be blessed with the opportunity to serve a country with such amazing citizens. Again, thank you! Sincerely, Sgt. Cameron Wallace

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Thank you for all the “goodies” from home. FOB Shindand is a desolate place and all the support is greatly appreciated.

We got great news the end of June that most of Task Force Ready will be heading back to Germany to reunite with our fa…milies by mid-August. The Soldiers are thrilled and excited to be packing up their offices and their living spaces so they can go home.

Task Force Commanche out of Fort Hood, Texas will replace us and as they begin to filter in, I am extremely impressed with their level of professionalism and eagerness to take over the mission. Though I believe some of them are shocked at how desolate it is here. Like some of our younger Soldiers, several of Task Force Commanche’s Soldiers have never had to live in tents nor have they been deployed to a base without a PX. Yet, like us, they will adapt and continue to improve the base.

SGT Goodenow, my orderly room Sergeant, and I drove around the perimeter today and through the Base. It amazes me how much FOB Shindand has grown and changed over the last eight months. When we first got here, we had no gym, free PX, MWR, Internet Café, or a nice tower to run operations. Today the Soldiers can relax in the MWR, gym, or Internet Café. The Soldiers also cleaned out an old decrepit Russian tower and small building so they had comfortable work areas and a free PX. I am so proud of everything that the Task Force Ready Soldiers have accomplished in eight months, and though it is bitter sweet to leave, I am also extremely excited to see my daughter and husband.

I hope that you can continue to support our replacements with hygiene items and snacks. The best person to send anything to will be CSM Gray.

Again, thank you for everything that you have done for the Soldiers of FOB Shindand!

Very Respectfully,

1SG Gwen Bartley

“HEADHUNTERS”