I just wanted to let everyone know that we are grateful for the tremendous support received by the community. It is really nice to see that the folks at home have not forgotten about us! I have been to Afghanistan and Iraq and going back to Iraq again and it is a lot easier to go when you know the people at home are thinking about you. Everyone in my unit thanks you and I thank you!!! ~~Daniel ------, SSgt/USMC, Bethel
I would like to thank all you guys back home for your support. All of the Coasties stationed in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and patrolling in the NAG appreciate your letters and care packages. The US Coast Guard has been patrolling the North Arabian Gulf since 2003 and isn't going anywhere. We are protecting Iraqi waterways, assisting the local fisherman, training the Iraqi marines and showing the Iranians we aren't going to back down from them. As I finish up my 1-year deployment I would like to thank Sharon Ryan from Lowell. She has been sponsoring the Damage Control shop since last year. I really appreciate all she has done for us and my family. Mrs. Ryan sent a hand knitted blanket to my newborn baby Savannah. Her kindness as well as everyone else at America supports you is greatly appreciated. I will be back in Michigan in late June and July for Bay City Fourth of July Festival and vacationing in Boyne City. See you soon! ~~DC2 Jeff -------, USCG Patrol Boat Forces Southwest Asia, Bay City, Mich.
I just want to thank all of you back home who do supports us and show us your appreciation, it really makes us feel good here. I found, believe it or not, that there are people out there that don't really appreciate us and sometimes it hurts knowing that most of us have kids and spouses and family we are away from. Like me, I have been away from my now 7yr old and 4yr old sons since Jan 2005 and went from being able to visit to getting deployed July of last year to Iraq and barely even get a phone call. So getting letters, care packages, emails, phone calls to kids, and such really helps me with coping being away from them. I found that being over here makes you realize the most important things in life and how well you really have it, and money and always buying stuff and having nice cars and whatever else don't really make you happy anymore. It is your kids, family, friends, and God that matters most. Thanks again for all your support and you don't know how much we really appreciate you. The simplest things as a 'Thank You' and 'We appreciate all you are doing for us,' that people say to us when we come home and are in uniform at the airport or around, goes a long way and you don't know how good it makes us feel to wear that uniform when you guys say stuff to us like that. Keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers! ~~ SPC Misty ------, C CO 324th ITSB Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq, US Army, Hickory, N.C.
I just want to thank everyone who supports us. I've been deployed twice and will be leaving again to go back to Iraq. Your devotion to the troops makes more of an impact then you will ever know. Just keep the prayers comming, becouse we take them all in with open arms. Thanks Again for supporting the United States Armed Forces. God Bless. ~~Timothy -------, SSG US Army, Lehighton,PA
I just wanted to thank the people who support us, sending a message, care package, or donating to our cause means more to us than you will ever know. THANK YOU ~~Joshua ------, PFC Army, Lodi, Wis.
For many of us, this is our third deployment to Iraq. In my Battalion we have 846 Soldiers and in my eyes every one of them is a hero. The heroes that often get overlooked are the ones on the home front that support us. I personally have been married for 11 years and out of that, I have been on 5 major deplotments. She could have easily walked away numerous times and I just wanted to thank her and all the other spouses who stand behind their Soldier. The care packages that people send us are very much appreciated. Getting a care package from an elementary school will crack the hardest Soldier every time and puts everything in perspective. Thank you to all the Spouses, Parents, Family Members, Friends, supporters, and most of all America. ~~CSM Randall ------, Ludowici/Fort Stewart, Ga.
