Dear Blue Star Mothers,
Thank you for the package of goodies, etc. that you sent our way. It makes Seth feel good to know that he is remembered. I’m sorry that this “thank you” is long overdue. Seth continues to get better, “time heals all things” and gradually he is making progress. Nothing will be 100 % of what it was but that is the cost of war. There are so many positive young men and women here and I am proud of them all. They are what make this country great-and we owe them all a great deal. Without them America would be no more.
Thank you again for keeping us in your thoughts. I pray for your sons and daughters also. And thank you for the sacrifices you have made as they serve our country.
God Bless you and yours and keep them safe.
Sincerely,
Sandy Stephen
Mom of Seth-wounded in Iraq and recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
December 16, 2008
Blue Star Mothers-
I want to thank you for the two packages I have received, I cannot begin how good it is to get so much support from the community. Anything that my guys or I do not use goes right to the local children. I have enclosed two pictures, the kids even wanted to take the box but I had to get it back because it still had my name on it. I just wanted thank all of you for volunteering your time to support not only your sons and daughters, but thousands of others.
V/R
Joshua Udell
SGT, US Army
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
Then I said, "Here I am. Send me."
~Isaiah 6:8
November 10, 2008
Blue Star Mothers association,
I just wanted to thank you for thinking of us. Some of us don't receive things from home, from people we care about. So we watch as other people open their mail from home, feeling a little left out. While we do have e-mail access, it just isn't the same as receiving something unexpected in the mail. Personally, I was pretty bummed out before I got the care package. But just receiving a package had an immediate lifting effect on my mood. Oddly enough, I got a female package, but exchanging it just made it that more fun.
Without some feedback, I know it is difficult to know what effect these packages have. So, I just want to assure you, from a first hand perspective, that these little treasures can mean the world to someone who feels out of touch with their friends and family. And, I come from a very loving environment, so just imagine how much it would mean to someone from a family less cohesive. I'm certain that you've touched a lot of people that would like to thank you, but don't know how to put it into words. I'm not much of an expert at it myself. But for all those sailors and soldiers for whom you've lightened their loads, lifted their spirits, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
V/R
STG2 Carlson
US Navy
September 18, 2008
Blue Star Mothers,
I apologize for not writing sooner. I try my best to keep up with letters. Thank you for the packages you sent. Everything came in handy. I also want to thank you for your support especially supporting my mom, Angie Rockwell. I will never be able to thank you enough for that. She means a lot to me. Her and I have been through some hard times, but this is the hardest. Thank you for being there for her. Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
SPC Callie Ashby
US Army
September 5, 2008
Thank you very much for taking the time to share with us your care and concern by sending packages. All items shared by the team and always put to good use. On behalf of OSPMT in southern Afghanistan I want to say thank you.
SSG Mack
US Army National Guard
September 4, 2008
wow, that's awesome. they just got here today, right along with yours.
i shared the two from BSM with the entire shift, so all were happy.
they were making fun of me for getting so many packages, but then i
informed them who they were from, and what they were for. the room got
really quiet. you would've loved it.
A1C Kevin Henchey
US Air Force
August 24, 2008
I received the Freedom Box in the mail from you yesterday. Thank you very much for all the things that were included in the box. I have offered up its contents to the Soldiers I have working for me. They are all very appreciative of your time and generosity in thinking of them. We are all very close to returning to Germany. We will be leaving over the course of September. On behalf of all of Soldiers from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, I want to thank you for all of your efforts over the course of our deployment.
All the best,
CPT Adam M. Samiof
August 12, 2008
US Army-Operation Iraqi Freedom
I was talking to Matt today & he received one of the boxes we packed last week. This is just amazing, I guess everything was in the right place at the right time for him to get it so quickly. He received the box of snacks. I'm sure the other won't be far behind.
He also asked that I thank everyone for him. He really enjoyed receiving the box & being remembered by everyone!
Donnamarie
August 12, 2008
Army National Guard-Operation Enduring Freedom
Hello to all, my name is SPC George E. Ellis Jr. and I would like to start out by saying Thank You. I am 39 yrs. old. I am married, and have a great family.I am with the 18TH MP BDE S6 stationed in Iraq. Yes I started real late with the military, but I will do anything for my family, and my country. Ok enough about me.LOL. I am truly honored to have recieved the care packages, that you all worked so hard to send. You may not think so, but if there are true hero's in this world, I believe it to be all of you. It is an amazing feeling, to hear "Ellis you have mail." LOL. I am greatful for your dedication, and all the effort, that you put into sending all of us these care packages. Your care pakages that the single soldiers recieve, give them a feeling of overwhelming joy, and the feeling of knowing they are being thought of. Its like christmas watching them rip into those packages, with there big "kool aid smiles," "its beautiful to watch." So I would like to once again thank you from the bottom of my heart, for bringing such great joy to myself, and to all in my section. You are my HERO's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to give a special shout out to Justin Henderson. Please tell him I really love the card he made for me, and I will treasure it forever. Please tell him I think he's the one that ROCKS, and who is truly AWESOME.
V/R
SPC George E. Ellis Jr.
August 12, 2008
US Army-Operation Iraqi Freedom
Blue Star Mothers,
It is with great pleasure that I am able to extend to you, my warmest thanks in honor of recieving the gift package you wonderful Blue Star Mother's have so generously bestowed upon myself and my most worthy commrads.
It is rare this day in age, one can find a group of individuals gathering together in unity for the benefit of another human being. "How good and how pleasent it is for brethren to dwell together in unity..." -Psalms 133. I encourage you to stay strong in your efforts to brighten other people's day as I vow to do my absolute best of completing my mission, returning home safetly and never letting your token of appreciation go in vane.
Today when I awoke, my life seemed no different from the days that had past. I sat on the edge of my bunk asking myself, who am I, what am I doing here, and what is it I wanted out of my life. It was of no surprise that knowing who I was is still a mystery, what I am doing here is yet to be revealed, but the reason I am here has never changed. I am here for my family, for my friends and for women such as you all. If you feel that what I am doing here is a great thing; then for you, I will continue on my journey.
I realise that Mother's Day is coming up, and I would like to wish you all a wonderful Mother's day. While all the men in this world run around like gorillas with their shirts off, punching eachother in the face, screaming "No, I'm the winner!". All you mother's can sit back and laugh as they are completely oblivious to the fact that without women, none of them would exist. I appreciate you all for what you do as Blue Star Mothers and as strong role models for women all over the world.
Very Respectfuly,
SSgt Roberto Salinas
here you go mom...that is from one of my good friends that i have made while i am over here. i hope this gets to you well and i love you...you know that i do not write very well that is why one of my friends wanted to say thanks...i love you and i will talk to you later.
SPC Mitchell
April 20, 2008
US Air Force-Operation Iraqi Freedom
Dear Blue Star Mothers of Capital Region,
Thank you so much for the absolutely beautiful box of shower shoes and sweat pants! Our soldier patients very much appreciate having these clothes and shoes to wear. They all need something comfortable to get into after they take a shower, and having the flip flops are great because they can get out of their boots as well!! My unit is called a CASF-Contingency Air Staging Facility. We are the place where soldiers are admitted to be medically aerovacced to their next stop for medical care-usually in Germany in Landstuhl. We take all American soldiers, Coalition soldiers, American contractors, and sometimes an Iraqi child who has been accepted by the Shriners. We not only safely and expeditiously get our patients to the plane but we give them a chance to sleep, relax, hang out, get a shower, sleep, and somewhat "normalize" before they move on. They can even do some laundry and get their uniform clean. We are pretty safe here but we are constantly mortared-the nickname of the base is Mortaritaville-because of the numbers. It is becoming hot -90's today but it is still cold where we send our patients-so thanks again!!!
Lt. Col. Rene
March 9, 2008
US Army National Guard-Operation Iraqi Freedom
To the Capital Region Blue Star Mothers of America,
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and gifts. The time and effort that you spent putting together packages was greatly appreciated. We are comforted to know that people back home are grateful for our sacrifices. First Platoon is proud to serve you, as well as the people of Iraq to make the world a safer place for all.
Sincerely,
2nd Lt. John
USMC-Operation Iraqi Freedom
January 17, 2008
Dear Blue Star Mothers,
I wanted to thank you for the care package and wish you a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It is so nice to have the love and support of those back home-ladies such as yourselves. You have definitely brought a smile to my face!
Sincerely,
HN James
US Navy-Operation Enduring Freedom
January 4, 2008
Hi Mrs. B., It's me the Marine. You sent a care package to me. I just wanted to say thank you very much for the stuff you sent me in the package. All the items came in handy. I really appreciate it for taking your time on sending me a care package. Also thank you for your appreciation and support. Well, may God Bless you and your families. Take care.
Sincerely,
Cpl. Frank
USMC-Operation Iraqi Freedom
December 5, 2007
Mrs. B.,
I received the Blue Star Mothers Package and I wanted to say thank you. The little things like that are much appreciated. It is nice to know there are still people out there who actually support us and the sacrifices we make. I hope you have a great Christmas. Thanks again!
Stay warm,
SSgt. Thomas
USMC-Operation Iraqi Freedom
November 28, 2007
BSM Capital Region 2,
I got the Care Package sponsored by Joanne today. I just wanted to say a quick thank you. My mother, Peggy Snyder, tells me you are collecting donations to sponsor care packages and things. That is GREAT!! It is good to know there are people out there who still support us servicemen and women. The little things like that always puts smiles on our faces. Thanks again and have a great Christmas!
Stay Warm,
SSgt. Thomas
USMC- Operation Iraqi Freedom
November 28, 2007
Dear Mom and Blue Star Mothers,
I got a Freedom Box in the mail from you today. Everything you sent is great. I especially liked the tuna and crackers because the MREs really aren't that good. I shared some things with my friends. They thought it was great too! I am working long hours at all times of the day and night so don't get much time to write. Life here is very different than home. Thanks for sending it.
Pfc. Jeff
US Army - Operation Iraqi Freedom
November 23, 2007
Hey there Blue Star Mothers,
I'm just writing a quick letter to thank you for the package you guys put together for me. I shared it around the shop to all my guys, I wasn't aware that there was such a thing as cream cheese and chives cracker sandwiches. They were (I'll admit somewhat surprisingly) delicious. It's nice when packages are both educational as well as edible.
Just to give you a bit of background on what my shop here is doing: we're a Brigade Level S-6 (Communications) shop for the 18th Military Police Brigade out of Mannheim, Germany. They're responsible for the training of the civilian Iraqi Police force, which is an essential part in guaranteeing the stability of Iraq in the future. The 18th has subordinate battalions all over Iraq, so my shop is in charge of the communications for roughly 5000 people--quite a task for ten soldiers, but they've already proven to me that they're fully capable of not only accomplishing the mission, but excelling at it.
We're now in week three here in Iraq, and week 5 of the deployment. Time is moving by surprisingly fast, probably because we're all working pretty much non stop. Despite being the fifth iteration of units deploying here, there seems to be a nonstop flow of work to do. I enjoy this though, it adds a bit of challenge to it. It keeps us from being bored out of our skulls anyway.
Thanks again for the package, we really appreciate the support that you ladies serve as a constant reminder of. I really mean that: Thank you!
1LT Dave
November 6, 2007-Serving in Iraq
Thank you very much for the package. It will all be put to good use. I have distributed the twizzlers, cards, gum, envelopes, and camera for my fellow marines. I like to share stuff out like that.
The support is much appreciated. Too often, the sacrifices of young men and women go un-noticed and unappreciated. It's the little things, like a bar of soap or a box of cookies that matter most. It's stuff like that which lets us know people care.
Things are ok here-quite boring at times. The weather is finally starting to warm up. It's supposed to get up around 90 this weekend. It hasn't rained in while, thankfully. When it does, everything turns into this awful, glue-like, muddy mess.
I am anxiously awaiting the month of May, as I am scheduled for R + R leave and my son is due in late April/ early May. I am very excited about that.
I am so proud to be a part of this. Please, never forget our young servicemen and women. They are the spirit of our nation.
Sincerely,
SSgt. Thomas
US Marine Corps
April 5, 2007 (serving in Iraq)
Hello. I received your package yesterday and want to thank you. Everything in it will be useful, especially the food, lip balm, and writing material. To let you know, everyone here is good to go. We all thank you for your thoughts. I will share the goodies with my friends.
Thank you and be safe.
Spc. Greg
Army National Guard
May 11, 2007 (serving in Afghanistan)
Dear Blue Star Mothers,
Thank you very much for the care package. We have been very busy out here in the last couple of weeks, so it has taken a bit of time to write this. All of the items were greatly appreciated.
Cpt. Chris
US Air Force
September 29, 2007 (serving in Qatar)
Dear Blue Star Mothers,
My thanks to every one of you, for all you do, for all who serve proudly! I know for sure just how much it means when you greet my bro's and sisters at the airport. When we talk to each other, it's amazing what comes up-Even the simplest little things help to encourage. They (I) feel your love. I hope to meet you one day in the future when I'm home visiting my family (Pat and Barbara). I'm in the United States Coast Guards, now stationed in Virginia. I'm in the states now, but I never know about tomorrow. I love what I'm doing, as I said previously, I wear my uniform proudly!! "Way to go Blue Star Mothers"! Thank you very much. I appreciate you.
Sincerely,
David
US Coast Guard
October 21, 2007 |
