PCGS Military Care Packages
We started out sending care packages to 3 soldiers from Patrick County at Christmas 2006, and then went up to 6 soldiers at Christmas 2007, and then we were sending packages to 12 soldiers which included 5 from Patrick County. In July 2008 we are down to six soldiers (thank goodness they are being sent home---we are so happy for them). However, we need to realize too that these same soldiers may end up being redeployed to Afghanistan and they still need our support even when they come home.
We have not been alone in sending care packages to the soldiers in Patrick County. Area churches have become involved including High Point Baptist Church, Fairystone Baptist Church, Nettle Ridge United Methodist Church, Sycamore Baptist Church, Blue Ridge Baptist Association which includes Pleasant View Baptist Church & Unity Baptist Church, Parkway Church of the Brethren, and the American Legion Post. In addition, the Church of the Risen Lord Catholic Church here in Stuart has helped us gather items to include in our PCGS care boxes.
The Patrick County Genealogy Society adopted a project for 2007/2008 supporting our Patrick County soldiers serving in Iraq and Baghdad. At Christmas 2006, we sent out care boxes to a Marine Unit in Baghdad, of which a Patrick County civilian was embedded with who worked for a private contractor there (his work was very dangerous and most needed for the safety and security of the United States); and an Army unit of a Patrick Soldier serving in Iraq; and a Christmas card with calling card for another Patrick County soldier serving in Iraq (whom we learned about too late to send a care box to for Christmas). Included in these boxes were journals, pens, writing tablets, crossword puzzle books, a Bible, Patrick County tourism information, peanut butter & crackers, candy canes, Christmas hard candies, butter cookies, chewing gum, rice krispie bars, peppermint balls, nachos, coffee, cocoa, tootsie rolls, gummies, Kleenex, hand signed Christmas cards (one of which went to the Marine and Army unit’s with a calling card inside for some lucky soldier who opened it) along with The Cherokee Legend of the Fairy Stone Cross, and a personalized letter from PCGS about Patrick County. The Patrick County civilian sent one of our members, some digital pictures taken on Christmas Day of the Marine unit opening our care box. Here’s what he said in his
E-mail: “I got the box a few days ago. It was really nice and thoughtful. I gave it to the Marines today…they really liked it and said it was the best care package they got this year from anybody. It had a lot of nice things inside like the journal….they knew one of the female Marines would want it so they set it aside for her to write in. I also liked the brochures and things from home…it added some really nice touches. I took a few pictures of a few of the guys from the S-3 section opening it and looking at the stuff. They put the picture of you guys on the bulletin board and said they wanted to send a thank you letter.”
For Valentine’s Day we had wonderful input into this project from our PCGS members and we were able to fix three care boxes of which were mailed out on 1/19/07 to the same two soldiers and the civilian. A PCGS member had received an e-mail from the civilian the prior Saturday and the Marine unit was looking forward to their Valentine Care Package from Patrick County. They asked for coffee, candy, baby wipes, and anything to remind them of home especially postcards. Well we fulfilled all but the postcards, but they were sent in the Easter care packages. So what went in the Valentine Care Boxes: Sweettarts, Tootsie Roll Pops, Baby Wipes, Chocolate Clusters, Journals, Pens with inspirational sayings, Valentines (that we hand signed), Cocoa, Calendars, Beef Jerky, Coffee, Pretzels, Airheads, Search A Words, Chewing Gum, Popcorn, Macaroni, Koolaid, a miniature Football, Conversation Hears, Strawberry Hard Candies, Valentine Pops, Cookies, Hard Candies, Oatmeal, Snack Mix, Trail Mix, Lemonade, a Stuffed Animal, the January issues of The Enterprise, Virginia 2007 Travel Guide, The Legend of Lover’s Leap (Native American Version), and Suggestions for Beginners in Genealogy/Writing Tips---some suggestions of items to include when writing your personal history.
For Easter 2007, we sent the two soldiers and the civilian a personal care package of their own in addition to the one for their units. Their personal care package had a pastel stuffed bunny, rabbit puzzlers with candy inside them, and an Easter card. Unit care packages received Charms Blow Pop Suckers, Jelly Beans, Marshmallow Peeps, Robin Eggs, Easter Bubble Gum Eggs, Easter Tootsie Rolls, Easter Butter Tin Cookie Assortments, Raisins, Just Juicee Super Pops, Airheads, Conversation Hearts, Beef Jerky, etc.
In the Spring, Summer, and Fall we sent them playing cards of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia State Parks, etc. We also sent them local postcards. We wish to thank the Patrick County Historical Society for their kind and generous donation of the Patrick County Yesterday books and Patrick County Postcards that went into our Valentine care packages to our Patrick County soldiers serving in Iraq. The items we include in the care packages do center on each holiday. We send care packages for at least 6-8 holidays of the year including Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. In the care packages we send for Memorial Day/Fourth of July we include such things as Bless America Books, bubble gum, USA Map Puzzles, Journals, Patriotic Flags, Patriotic Decorations, Fritos, Doritos, Baby Wipes, etc.
As of June 2007, we had shipped over 200 lbs. of care packages to Iraq & Baghdad. We have now sent at least 800 lbs. through Christmas 2007. An average package is 18-22 lbs.
In 2008, things changed a bit for us. With the increasing postage costs, we were forced to downsize our care boxes to priority mail boxes and send them to the soldiers individually as we could no longer afford to send the huge boxes we had been sending.
But you know, something interesting happened along the way. Our Vice President got on the local radio call-in program and we had churches that became involved and individuals. We also had a local primary school to make homemade valentines for our troops. A local church had valentine candy left over from their military care packages and they gave them to PCGS to go in ours. What a blessing this has been to us and to them. We soon realized it was never meant for us to do this by ourselves, that this was a way of getting more Patrick Countians involved in this very patriotic project of which we just can’t be pleased enough with. We love our country, our county, and our soldiers!!! Thanks especially to Parkway Church of the Brethren and Sycamore Baptist Church for taking on this project.
A thank you is also extended to The Church of the Risen Lord here in Stuart for their generous donations of supplies for the military care packages.
This is a wonderful endeavor, and all of us should be so proud to be supporting our troops and lifting their spirits. To see the smiles from the Marines that the Patrick County civilian was embedded with is thank you enough. We wish for all of them to come home soon and safely. It means so much to our servicemen and women to hear from home. We want to encourage everyone to keep supporting the troops even when they come home.
One reason we have been sending the candy is that the soldiers give it to the children who tell them where the IED explosives are and it is saving lives. That is one reason PCGS received the Certificate of Appreciation from the Army last year from Jamie Snider’s unit. In the past, they’ve asked us for Tootsie Rolls and Hard Candies.
If you would like to make a donation to PCGS towards these military care packages, we will gladly accept donations as we are a 501c3 nonprofit and will be glad to send you a receipt to deduct from your taxes. These donations will be used to purchase supplies and offset the costs of mailing. Our mailing address is:
PCGS
P.O. Box 1016
Stuart VA 24171
Military Pictures
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1Lt Ian G Dunlap |
SPC Dustin Spencer |
December 25, 2006 Troops opening Military Care Package in Iraq |
December 25, 2006 Troops opening Military Care Package in Iraq |
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| June 19 2007 Clyde and Jean Thomas with July 4th Military Care Packages | November 20, 2007 Members working on Christmas Military Care Packages | February 19, 2008 David Sheley accepting Certificate of Appreciation from Jamie Snider's unit in Iraq | February, 2008 Valentines made by Patrick Springs Primary School Kindergarten for Military Care Packages |
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| March 18, 2008 Visitors and members working on Easter Military Care Packages | June 28, 2008 Outing to Rocky Knob David Sheley with Flag flown over Iraq | Picture from Afghanistan sent by James Lee Jones |
Letter Sent to Soldiers
THE PATRICK COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY
PO BOX 1016
STUART VA 24171
November 20, 2007
Dear Soldier:
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Patrick County, Virginia, you will find us, The Patrick County Genealogy Society. We were formed in 1999 to help people find their family tree roots.
Patrick County was formed in 1791 from Henry County, Virginia and was named after the famous orator, Patrick Henry, best known for his “give me liberty, or give me death” speech. Patrick County is home to two of Virginia’s eight covered bridges namely The Bob White Covered Bridge and The Jacks Creek Covered Bridge. We are also home to the famous NASCAR Racing Team, The Wood Brothers. R. J. Reynolds of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company had his home here, known as Rock Springs Plantation and today known as The Reynolds Homestead. Mabry Mill, the most photographed site in the world is located on The Blue Ridge Parkway which runs through Patrick County and is known for its portrayal of early pioneer and frontier living and on the weekends in the summer and fall has wonderful bluegrass and olde time string music along with demonstrations of weaving, folk toys, quilt making, and Appalachian story telling. We are also known as the “land of the fairies” taken from the Legend of the Stone Crosses which are found at Fairy Stone State Park in Patrick County. The iron ore found at Fairy Stone was once used in the Civil War Battleship, The Monitor. Local festivals here celebrate our agricultural crops including peaches, apples, and strawberries but our other crops include commercial vegetables including cabbage and tomatoes along with pumpkins, nectarines, and tobacco. In the early days of Patrick County, it had many grist and water mills, one room school houses, log cabins, and old general stores and post offices. William Byrd surveyed the dividing line here in Patrick County in Peters Creek on the borders of Virginia and North Carolina. Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s father, and Joshua Fry, made the first good map of Virginia in1751 which included what was to become Patrick County. George Washington and Robert E. Lee, both owned land in Patrick County. Our community is spread out over 481 square miles and has a population of 19,700.
We wanted you to know how proud of you we are and we support your efforts. Freedom is not free and should never be taken for granted. You are there protecting our freedoms and liberty. Last year, we published The Patrick County WWII Pictorial Book and we take our patriotism very seriously. We work very closely with The Patrick County Honor Guard, VFW Post 7800 & 8467, and The American Legion Post 105. God is watching over you and we are praying for you. We would very much like to pen pal with you in the coming year. Would you write back to us?
God Bless You and watch over you and bring all of you home safely soon! From the land of the stone crosses……we are The Patrick County Genealogy Society. Merry CHRISTmas!
Honors Presented to PCGS
PATRICK COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FROM UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
The Patrick County Genealogy Society has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation and Commander’s Coin for Excellence by the United States Department of the Army “For providing outstanding morale and welfare support to the 299th Forward Support Battalion. Patrick County Genealogy Society’s tireless support and dedication enabled the 299th Forward Support Battalion to accomplish a dangerous and challenging mission in support of the Global War on Terror. Their determined efforts and distinct patriotism reflect great credit upon themselves and their fine community.” Signed by J. W. Cousin, Command Sergeant Major, US Army and Keith Sledd LTC, QM Commanding dated April 10, 2007. This is Jamie Snider’s unit who is from Patrick County.
The Patrick County Genealogy Society has adopted a project for 2007/2008 of supporting our Patrick County soldiers serving in Iraq and Baghdad. We’ve sent Christmas, Valentine, and Easter care packages to the units of our Patrick County soldiers and civilians serving in Iraq. Our next care packages will be for Memorial Day and 4th of July.
PCGS received a letter from a Patrick County soldier stating “Thanks for the care packages. I am sorry for the late response but I’ve been busy down here. Thanks for the touch of home and thanks for yalls support. It really makes me happy to have support from home.” Another Patrick County soldier writes via e-mail: “Tell every one there that we greatly appreciate all of the things that they are sending out here for the soldiers. And also for me. It means a lot to everyone that has received any of the things they have sent. I took the newspapers and books about the area and left the rest at the compane for the first sergeant and commander to pass out to the soldiers.” A Patrick County civilian imbedded with a Marine unit in Baghdad writes via e-mail: “The Marines always seem to really appreciate someone thinking about them. You can tell the folks in Patrick County that I said Hello to all the people I know from home and that I am doing fine, but I miss green places and the mountains. Also, I am looking forward to seeing my wife and daughter.”
If you would like more information on the PCGS Care Package Project, please contact us at 276-692-5920 or famalpha@yahoo.com. PCGS would also like to commend all our Patrick County service men and women who are serving our country. PCGS would like to recognize other Patrick County entities that are sending care packages for the troops including: Fairystone Baptist Church, High Point Baptist Church, Nettle Ridge United Methodist Church, Sycamore Baptist Church, Blue Ridge Baptist Association which includes Pleasant View Baptist Church, Unity Baptist Church, and individuals including Hillary Holt (a Girl Scout) who have sent care packages. And a special thank you to the Church of the Risen Lord in helping to gather items to go in the military care packages.
To quote WHEO radio personality, Richard Rogers, “remember, one person can make a difference. This is something very positive and shared by others even though you can’t see the sharing going on.” Check out the AnySoldier.com and AdoptaPlatoon.org websites.
5/14/08
PATRICK COUNTY GENEALOGY SOCIETY RECEIVES FLAG FLOWN IN THEIR HONOR OVER IRAQ:
The Flag of the United States of America is presented to PC Genealogy Society. Thanks for Supporting Soldiers Deployed to Combat. This certifies that the accompanying flag was flown over the Headquarters of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq in your honor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lloyd J. Austin III, Lieutenant General, USA, Commanding
Joseph R. Allen, CSM USA, MNC-1 CSM
Letters From the Solders
*Please note that the letters below have been edited to protect the safety of our soldiers and their families.
6/8/08
To the Patrick County Genealogical Society:
I would like to thank you all for the care package I received recently. Again, your great generosity and kindness is very humbling and I am incredibly appreciative. It means a lot to me knowing that you all are thinking of me and my Marines. We are thankful for all that was included in the package, and for the card. Thank you for your continued support, as it means a great deal to all of us out here. God Bless You All and Semper Fidelis.
4/16/08
Genealogy Society:
Once again, thanks for the package, it is always great to receive a piece of home especially for the Holidays. Once again, the holidays do not feel like the holidays without family and friends but your support makes our situation more bearable. I enjoyed the four leaf clover, I can’t believe you were able to find so many. This is awesome!!!
I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather there in Virginia. The weather here is starting to get hot. It is normal for it to be in the 90s or 100s during this timeframe. Of course we work in a nice air conditioned palace so we try to stay indoors as much as possible.
Some of us have been here nearly 7 months and others about 6 months. It’s weird that we are starting to see people come and go and we are still here. Most of the Air Force personnel deploy for 4 or 6 months while some deploy for a year. Still, we see them coming and going. Some of them feel bad for us since when they arrive, we have more time in country then they are here for and they will be leaving before us.
I’m glad that they recently announced going back to 12 months deployment. It will not change our 15 month deployment, but will make it easier for the Soldiers and their families who are coming to replace us. I am already in touch with my replacement and am providing him as much information as I can so that it will be a quick smooth transition when he comes on board.
While here, I’ve been learning to dance Salsa, so that has been my past time. It helps me look forward to something throughout the week. As a matter of fact, we have coordinated to have a big block party here. The theme is called “Salsa on the Street.” That will be pretty exciting since it will be at night with an Army Latin Band playing the music.
Again, I want to thank you for all the support you provide us and the Soldiers who are sacrificing so much for their country. It’s the support that people like you provide that makes it all worth while. Please send our regards and thanks to the Stuart families who continue to support. You guys are great Americans and make us proud to be a part of such a great nation.
God Bless you Always.
3/17/08
To the good people of The Patrick County Genealogy Society. I would like to extend my sincere thanks for the kind and generous care package I received from you all last month. You will have to please accept my apologies for not thanking you sooner, as I stay quite busy over here. It meant a great deal to me to receive the reading materials and goodies. I enjoyed leafing through the old black and white pictures of Patrick County back when times were simpler. Even though my visits back home seem to be fewer and farther between recently, it always does my heart good to get back to Patrick County and all the good people there. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
3/10/08
To All Those Who Have Been Sending Gifts to Our Wounded Warriors:
I am writing to thank you for supporting America’s sons and daughters who are making hard sacrifices for our precious freedom. Your donations provide both comfort and encouragement for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and their family members that come to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Ramstein Air Force Base. Your generosity makes it possible for us to assist these wounded warriors and their families.
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is a beacon of healthcare for America’s servicemen and woman abroad. Spiritual support through Pastoral Services and your gifts enhance the holistic healthcare we provide for all those who proudly perform their sacred duty.
What you have given blesses these precious men and women. I want to thank you for your caring and compassionate service to all those who serve their country so well.
*If you really want to make a difference for our soldiers, please support this medical center. We know our soldiers would really appreciate it. Their address is:
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Wounded Warrior Ministry Center
CMR 402
APO AE 09180
3/10/08
Dear School:
Thank you for the Valentines Day Cards. I distributed them to Soldiers working here in the Division Headquarters.
*This letter was sent to the children of the school that made the homemade Valentine’s.
2/14/08
Happy Valentines Day Boys and Girls! Greetings from Baghdad, Iraq. Thank you for all you wonderful Kindergarten & First Graders! We loved all your Valentine’s Day Cards….you are all very thoughtful. My shop of officers and civilians said they were very well done. I hope you are learning a lot at school and enjoying Stuart, VA. We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
*Another letter that was sent to the children of the school that made the homemade Valentine’s.
1/18/08
Dear Catheryn,
Thank you so much for the boxes of candy, the boys and I really enjoyed it. Great to know that people back home still think about us! Sorry I haven’t sent this sooner but I was away for a couple of months. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Mine was o.k. just another day patrolling the streets of Baghdad, anyways I have to go to work now, and again thank you so much!
12/29/07
Hope you had a Merry CHRISTmas together with your family and loved ones. With the coming year, I wish you even more success, continued good health, lots of happiness and the gift of Respecting and Loving one another. While many of you have made my holiday season more enjoyable by providing me a piece of home while I am away, I can honestly say that CHRISTmas and New Years is not the same without the presence of all of your family and friends. I really appreciate you taking the time to take care and support all of our fellow Soldiers deployed.
It has been over 3 months since we have been here. We are fairly safe in a Combat Area. Not that you shouldn’t worry but most of us are not leaving the base on a regular basis. We pray for and have the utmost respect for those Soldiers whose job take them in to the local population each and everyday. If you have not heard already, things throughout the country appear to be stabilizing. This is great news for all (Soldiers, Family, Friends and Americans) since this will keep us a little safer.
Although time is flying by pretty fast, especially since we are working over 12 hour days, it is not going fast enough. I missed my Family, Home, Neighbors and Friends.
How are things back in Virginia? Thanks for all the historical information on Patrick County and the Genealogy Society. Both the county and the society possess many patriotic qualities in which are projected by your generosity and thoughtfulness to the Soldiers Deployed.
Again, Thanks for your time and thanks for being a great American.
Dear members of the Patrick County Genealogy Society,
You never know what you might run into over here. I delivered some items that my family had sent to distribute amongst the troops and happened to pick up one of your letters. I have been transiting this part of the world over the last 13 or so years, it was nice to hear from such a historically rich area that has peeked my interest on more than one occasion.
During one of my deployments in the mid 90’s in Turkey, I spent time flying over the Northern “No-Fly” zone in Iraq and working on amateur genealogy. My family of Watson’s I traced back to Pinnacle, NC. My Grandfather moved to North Florida from NC when Tobacco Farming began going commercial in the early 1900’s. From what I tracked down; his ancestor George W. Watson (believe it or not his wife’s name was Martha) had migrated down from Pittsylvania, VA with a Horse team and wagon that he traded for land in Pinnacle/Pilot Mountain. My youngest son is named for the earliest relative I could provide hard evidence on having ties to…”Levi.” I was never able to get back much further than that. If you have any weblinks, I’d be interested in renewing my old interest.
We have done a lot of good work over here and the young troops out there are making successes that I had not dreamed I would see in my lifetime. I hope our good fortune continues. Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers.
12/22/07
Patrick County Genealogy Society,
Hi; I am a married soldier. I picked up one of your dear Soldier Christmas cards and read your letter. The card and letter were very nice. I wanted to write back and say thank you for all of your support it is greatly appreciated, too often soldiers don’t have the time to thank their supporters for their help.
The Patrick County Genealogy Society must be a great place to work. It must feel good to be able to let people know where and who they came from going back hundreds of years. I have often thought about trying to trace/find out about my family tree, but time often flies when you are only home once every other year and a half for only one year. But the next time I am home I think I might try to find out about my family tree roots maybe the people I go to for help will be as friendly as your company seems. Well thanks again for your support, thoughts and prayers.
*This is the only female soldier we have.
12/11/07
Your letter to the troops from the Patrick County Genealogy Society made it’s way to Baghdad. It is deeply appreciated! I will keep you folks informed as to the amazing progess the Iraqi people are making and the brave American Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors, making it possible.
God Bless Our Troops!
12/24/07
I hope you and the members of the Genealogy Society are well. We’re fair. We received the big package that you sent for Christmas. I assume you got the letter that I wrote saying my husband was back from Iraq. I want you to know that we’re sending all the items in that package to Landstuhl Hospital – the Chaplains Closet---in Germany where injured American soldiers are treated. I’m sure that many soldiers there that are injured would love all the candy, cards, etc. Thank you again for supporting my husband while he was deployed. Please continue your support of all the troops! May God Bless All of You! Warmly thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!
11/14/07
Dear Genealogy Society,
I hope you are doing well.
I want to thank you so much for your support and prayers while my husband was in Iraq. Thank you for all the packages that you sent him! They were greatly appreciated! You were one of the few people that sent him cards and packages. My husband mentioned to me that a lot of the soldiers, especially single soldiers, didn’t ever get packages; so he shared what you sent him. He was so glad to be able to do that for them. Please continue your support for the soldiers, you are making a difference!! Please know that words cannot express how grateful I am to you and the Genealogy Society for thinking of and supporting my husband while he was in Iraq!! I will keep in touch with you. May God Bless Each and Everyone of You!!
5/30/07
I was amazed to see that there was a package for me in the mail. I shared it with all my buddies. We all would like to say thank you. It makes me happy to see that there are people out there who care about us and what we are going through over here. Well I would personally like to say Thank You and God Bless!
3/30/07
Sorry it has taken a long time for me to respond. I’ve been really busy. Your packages were really great. Thanks for supporting our troops. There’s nothing like a letter or a package to brighten up your day. Thanks again.
3/30/07
Dear Patrick County Genealogy Society:
Thanks for the care packages. I am sorry for the late response but I’ve been busy down here. Thanks for the touch of home and thanks for yalls support. It really makes me happy to have support from home.
3/15/07
I got that package a few days ago. I asked the guy I work with to give the packs of stuff out to the guys on St. Paddy’s Day. They always seem to really appreciate someone thinking about them.
You can tell the folks in Patrick County that I said hello to all the people I know from home and that I am doing fine, but I miss green places and the mountains. I miss you guys.
3/12/07
Dear Charlotte:
How is every thing. Every thing is going good for me. My birthday as well as my daughter’s birthday is coming up soon. I’ve been real busy lately and will start jumping out of planes soon.
*Here’s another letter Charlotte got---didn’t have a date written on it:
Well how is every thing. The weather is getting hotter here, it gets around 125-130 during the days, and around 90 at night. It seems things are getting worse here. I can’t wait till every one is home and this war is over with. I’ve lost a lot of good friends from this war, well wish I could meet you. I will write again later.
*Things have gotten better for this soldier and we think this letter was received in 2007.
5/30/07:
Charlotte:
Well how is every thing. I’m doing well. I received a package today. I’m guessing it was from your church and the Genealogy Society. I wrote them back and told them thanks. I guess I will get your cookies next time mail comes. I will write again later.
6/6/07:
Charlotte:
How is every thing. I received your cookies around 6/1, they were really good. It’s getting really hot here! It reached 124 degrees yesterday. It’s a good thing I have an air conditioner in my room. I will write again soon.
*Here’s some more letters to Charlotte with no dates on them:
Charlotte:
Thanks a lot for the box of tootsie rolls. I really appreciate you sending packages, it builds up my morale. Talk to you later.
Dear Charlotte:
It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for your prayer and concern and when your birthday comes, Happy Birthday and have a great birthday. It is a sad story what goes on here. A lot of good people die. I can’t wait for this war will be over and every one can go to their families. Well I have to go. Feel more than welcome to write back.
Hello Again:
Sorry it has been so long since I have wrote you back. I hope I have not kept you worried, I have been really busy. Well my daughter’s first birthday is coming up, I wish I could be there for her. I was also wondering how did you originally figure out where to write me and where did you get my name. I remember you like to bake, and was wondering if you knew how to make fudge. I love fudge. I could eat it all day and not get sick of it. Well I guess I will write you later. FOOTNOTE---it was too hot to send fudge, so David Sheley who is our President of PCGS and a Vietnam Veteran himself, sent him some Little Debbie Snacks instead and he loved it---and they didn’t melt.
2/18/07
The troops got two packages that I gave them on Valentine’s Day. I gave these to a different group of guys this time, but I think they shared it with everybody.
1/26/07
Hello;
Tell everyone there that we greatly appreciate all of the things that they are sending out here for the soldiers. And also for me. It means a lot to everyone that has received any of the things they have sent. I just got a box today. I took the newspapers about the area and left the rest to pass out to the soldiers.
12/25/06
Merry Christmas to you. I got the box a few days ago. It was really nice and thoughtful. I gave it to the soldiers today and they said it was the best care package they got this year from anybody. It had a lot of nice things inside like the journal….they knew one of the female soldiers would want it so they set it aside for her to write in. I also liked the brochures and things from home….it added some really nice touches. Merry Christmas!