Testimonials - Tampa Bay Troop Support

What the Troops are Saying

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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Jaymes Waunsluv Williams
Gm hru ALL? I just wanted to say thanks again for what u ALL DO FOR US!!! We have SNACKS FOR DAYS!!! I would have taken a pic and posted it on the wall but my helpers were eager to get into the boxes!!! May God continue to bless you all and keep you all!!!!

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TAMPA BAY TROOP SUPPORT,
My name is PV2 Isabella Gallo and on behalf of my unit, 2-82 FA 3ABCT 1CD, thank you! I am a Religious Affairs Specialist and my Chaplain and I successfully distributed all of the resources and support you sent us. The resources you send help boost morale and financially help all of our soldiers. Again, thank you so much for your support, it is greatly appreciated!

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I just got two packages from you guys. I would like to thank you all very much, for your support and for your time to send these things over to not only myself but other troops that are here and away from their loved ones. My buddies and i really enjoyed what you sent and could not have been more pleased. We have enjoyed looking at the magazines and eating all the food. Haha, so again i would just like to say thank you. It was greatly appreciated.

Hunter Riley

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Thank you so much for the box Tampa Bay Troop Support sent. I shared it with my battle buddies, and they loved it as well. We really appreciate all your support and prayers. Can’t wait to get back to good ol St. Petersburg. I miss my kids, family, and friends so much. It’s people like you who make deployments for soldiers so much easier to bear. Just when you are having a bad day, then unexpectedly you receive a package you weren’t expecting and everything seems to disappear because someone else out there cares for and supports you; which makes what we do that much more important to us. Thanks for all you do.

Always your soldier
SSG Amanda Robertson
FOB Walton, Afghanistan

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I just to say thanks for everything, I received 2 boxes from you and I’m so happy for that. Again thanks and God Bless you.

Andres Canaveral – Afghanistan

I just got four packages from you guys. thank you very much, I donated them to the chaplain to get them sent down range.

Joshua Toma – Germany

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My name is Gary Davidson, a chaplain at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. An airman from our base donated boxes of your goods (“Tampa Bay Troop Support”) to our chapel for distribution to our base personnel.

I want to thank your troop members for supporting our troops. Since your group and ours believe in: a team approach, wearing a uniform, are committed to good values and morals and care about people…we feel a bond with you. Your support means a great deal to us…and you and your organization are appreciated.

Thank you especially to: Dave and Rhonda Dabney, Thu Tran, Kathie Skinner, Michael Berg, Norma Smith, Jenn Blake, Tanya, Sherley M, Alex Berg, Sydney Chiles, Mike Toma, Misti, and Jenn Gabory. You each signed the “Tampa Bay Troop Support” card…so we know you took extra time to show your appreciation.

Wishing you well,

Chaplain, Captain Gary Davidson

Ramstein Air Base

Germany

PS As I’m writing this note, I’m sucking on one of the “hotball” candies you sent…and earlier…a sergeant from the chapel ate one of your Laffy Taffy candies.

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Received the following message from a co-worker whose son is in Afghanistan:

“I just wanted to let you know Parker received his package from your friends in Florida. He said there was lots of food, a magazine, book, light, tooth brush, but mainly food.(I think food is good)

Please pass along our gratitude to those who sent the package. It really means a lot.”

Thanks for all you do. I know how much it means to get a box with a little bit of home when you are so far away.

Ron Nociti – Tennessee

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Just recieved the packages you sent!! Thank you all soo much! I put them in the office and they were empty in no time haha Just wanted to let you know everyone here appreciates everything yall have done for deployed soldiers, it means a lot to know we have support from back home! Thank you all again!

Sean McCarey – Afghanistan

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Hey, everyone! Just wanted to let you know, and thank you for the care packages that you sent to me! Everyone I’ve shared them with has told me to send their appreciation to y’all as all I know it may not always seem like a big deal, but even just small things like that let us know that people back in the states are thinking about us, and it really means a lot. So thank you from all of us out here!!

Anthony Toma – Germany

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I just wanted to thank you so very much for sending out Holiday care packages to our Soldiers. I know they appreciate everything so much and it will help remind them of home.

SFC Faras, Jason M 3

573d Clearance Company

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Got the boxes here today!! You guys are incredible. Everyone in our unit says to thank you all so much. The supplies coming here are dwindling down and your stuff went fast!! Again, thank you all for what you do. Made the day a lot better!!

Mike Tays – Bagram, Afghanistan

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L/Cpl Aariel Lovely got her care packages, She said THANK YOU !!! Thank you folks for all you do to support the troops. God bless each and every one of you!

-Rick Cooper

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Hi this is William Pressmar i wanted to let you know that i just received the 4 packages you sent to me out in Afghanistan. I greatly appreciate every thing that was in them and the thought and time you took sending them out to me. thank you again for all your support.

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Mr. Dabney, I had an amazing surprise today. On the way back from lunch one of the Soldiers on mail detail ran me down to explain that I needed to come pick up my mail. I don’t typically have items sent directly here and was a little confused. The last thing on my mind was that I would have four huge packages from a person I’ve never met, in a state that I know only one permanent resident. Thank you for the gift. I have never been sent a package by a stranger before. It was very unexpected to say the lest but it put a wonderful spin on an otherwise frustrating day. Your generosity is being shared with the other Soldiers here with great enthusiasm. The Ramen and Yakisoba noodles were a particularly big hit. It is difficult to put into words just how good something like this it feels to everybody in an all too often thankless job.

1LT Sean R Main

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Tampa Bay Troop Support Group, 1LT Berg again, and on behalf of myself and the Soldiers of the 856th QM I would like to say thank you for the care packages we received today. The girl scout cookies and the many kinds of noodles cheered us up this morning with the noodles also warming us as it’s cold here again. The cold helped to make the thin mints more enjoyable too. I will be delivering some tokens of our appreciation this summer when I return. I can’t stress enough either how the support from people like you back home continues to bring meaning to our being over here. Again, thanks and your support is greatly appreciated.

V/R,

Ryan J Berg

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Hello Dave, I just wanted to say thanks for all you and your group has done to help make my stay here a little better. I am supposed to be heading back home at the end of April. So you can take me off your distribution listing. Again I want to say thanks for all you’ve done. Sgt. Brian Barrett

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Luis Ortiz I just wanna say a quick thank you I received a few boxes and me and my squad were thankful!!! keep up the great and amazing work that y’all do… THANK YOU

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Mr. & Mrs. Dabney,
I wanted to thank you and your organization for the care packages my platoon received. It was unexpected and greatly appreciated. Anytime someone takes the time and energy to send a package, it means the world to us. More than the items, the fact that there are those at home that remember we aren’t, is gratifying.
They say that a true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him. Receiving the thoughts and prayers from people such as you reminds us that it’s true. So thank you to Daniella, Jenn, Jennie, Carter, Becky, Kathy, Sharm, Michael, Jenn, Alexa, Michael…all the others, and especially to you, Dave & Rhonda.
Thank you so much for your support and God Bless.
Very Respectfully,
Sgt Brian P. Marx

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Not a day passes when someone doesn’t ask me about my son Joseph Fescina and how he’s doing in the U.S. Army. At the end of January, Joseph helped to save another soldier’s life who was severely injured in an accident. Since his actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of military service, the U.S. Army awarded him The Army Achievement Medal for his actions on March 11th. I am SO proud of him. A hero in his first year of service! Thanks to Tampa Bay Troop Support Group for sending him and his unit a care package. It was well deserved.
Kristine Creely

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Big Thanks goes out to the Tampa Bay Troop Support for the great Care Packages!! As an appreciation to your generosity please accept this Marine Certificate and American Flag that was Flown over Helmond Province on THANKSGIVING DAY! Articles will be delivered to you shortly via snailmail. Can you please let me know when they get there? I can’t thank you enough for all the support over the years. Cannot wait to be back in Florida again as we close on our Journeys here in Afghanistan. With that said, I plan on returning to the Good Old U.S.A. by the Summer of 2013. So no need to send any more goodies after this time around, because soon ‘The Breeze’ will be back in town! You are all Awesome!! Thank you, thank you, thank you….

Rick (TheBreeze)

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Tampa Bay Support Group,
On behalf of myself and my Soldiers I would like to say thank you for the care packages you sent. The support from people like you back home continues to bring meaning to our being over here. Thanks to you we now have books, magazines, and most importantly cardstock so that we may write back home for the holidays. The toiletries will also go a long way as we are in a remote FOB and have limited supplies. Again, thanks and your support is greatly appreciated.

V/R,
Ryan J Berg

Shindand Airbase, Afghanistan

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Hello and greetings from Kabul! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday. I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you so very much for the packages that you and your organization have sent. I’ve received two in as many days. It is so generous and kind of you to take the time and effort to put them together. I, along with my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, civilians, and contractors alike truly appreciate it 🙂 So, on behalf of all of us over here – thanks again – we really are grateful for all the support from home!

Very Respectfully,
Laura M. Schroeder Major (OF-3), US Army

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Many thanks for your generosity, Rhonda from the Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The boxes of goodies your group sends us not only provides us with scrumptious goodies, but more importantly encourages us with the knowledge of loving support from home. Please extend a very warm and sincere “thank you” to all those who assisted in preparing these CARE packages. You are a super-patriot and we are grateful for your exemplary support, Rhonda!

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Cheers,

Laura M. Schroeder
Major (OF-3)
US Army

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I wanted to thank you all for the packages and everything you do!!! We all appreciate it very much! Much love!

SPC Anthony Cook
Afghanistan

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From Norma Smith about her nephew:

Please remove Phillip Billodeaux name from the mailing list. HE IS COMING HOME TOMORROW to Ft Bragg! Bless his heart and Thank the Lord for watching over him for his 7 tours. He and his wife will be transferred to Washington State come February. THANK YOU Phil for all your Services! We will miss mailing your package filled with love-from home. We wish you many many Special Moments as you and your wife start your lives, finally, TOGETHER.

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The new guys are here with us now that are taking over. I will provide a contact name so if you would like to continue sending boxes you have a contact. I am sure that they would appreciate it very much.

Thank you for your support while we were here.

SFC Fred Ganous

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I would like to thank everyone for all there hard work, and dedication to our military. I will be leaving Afghanistan in the not to distant future so they have shut our mail down. We all enjoyed all the boxes, and sharing the wealth to some of the other guys on the FOB. So once again thank you for everything.

Scott Williams
Afghanistan

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I wanted to send you a picture of us with one of the boxes you sent us. We went flying today, and brought the goodies with us. Say hello to my Aunt Marie Addison for me!!!

SFC Fred Ganous

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Josh received 6 boxes from the support group which he shared with his fellow soldiers. He wants to thank the group. He is leaving to come home in 30 days so he says no need to send anymore in his name. Not sure if they want another soldiers name, I know two soldiers who will be there another year if they want to send to them. Thanks again
Sharon Korica TBTS

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Packages came in today, thank you! And yes, the Ketchup made it (yea!). The Marines cannot express enough how much they all liked the goodies! The fishs were a big hit too! After all the boxes were opened, everyone went out and threw the Nerf Football till Sunset. Big thanks go out to the Tampa Bay Troop Support Group!

Rick “The Breeze” Ivory
USMC Afghanistan

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My husband, Terry and his guys received packages from you guys today. They were all so happy and thankful! He said it was like Christmas morning when all the guys seen the goodies! Thank you so much for the support. Definitely makes a difference for all our soldiers! RLTW!

Delina McKnight

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Hey I’m Claudia Pensiero Walker’s nephew. I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of my Soldiers, and myself for all your support. Your boxes always brighten my troops faces it’s like Christmas as they tear through them.

Scott Williams
Afghanistan

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Thank you so much for the boxes that we just received. It is nice to know that people like yourselves take the time to provide us with surprises from back home. Our days here are long, and very hot…currently 117.9 degrees. Our days here are the same, where things seem to never change. When we receive these care packages it is like children on Christmas morning. The guys, and gals here open them, and trade items with each other with smiles on their faces.

The “Baby Wipes” are a blessing in disguise for most of us. We have no indoor facilities so they come in handy on a daily basis. I am a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Crewchief, and I carry these things everywhere I fly. With the weather here being so undetermined most of the time, it is easy to get stuck at other bases for overnight stays.

Again thank you for taking your time, and personal finances to provide comfort to the U.S. soldiers here at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. May GOD Bless you, and your families for the kindness that you display to so many of us here.

Bubba Ganous
Alabama Army National Guard
Udairi AAF, Kuwait

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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 The Breeze

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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 from 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 appreciate your 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!

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”

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One of your boxes made it all the way to Farah Afghanistan and I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for your support and well wishes. Thank you Sidney Chiles, Dave and Rhonda Dabney, Jennifer Blake, Kathie Skinner, Norma Smith, Alexa and Michael Berg, Sherley M. and Mike Toma. I apologize for not being able to read all the names. Thank you for sending a piece of home to us… GOD Bless!!

Pashion Keller
Farah, Afghanistan

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