Happy New Year from IRAQ!

Some letters and emails are long and full of information. Then some are just straight from the heart and very short. They are all precious to me and mirror my own sons to the 'T'. Just like this one:

Dear Momma Jodi,

     How was your Christmas, good I hope mine was not too bad it was better than I thought it was going to be, lol. Oh and a happy new year too incase I don't get to say it in time.

This is from Luis, a Corpsman with the 3/7 H&S  in Iraq.  No wasted space or fillers. Short and to the point. I love this kid. 

Semper Fi,

Merry Christmas from 3/7 Marines

Hi Momma Jodi,

Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I'm busy as usual, but I'm doing well . . . I just wanted to say thank you for all that you've done. It has been great getting to know you; I'm glad you've accepted me into your heart and thoughts . . . it has been the best gift thus far. The Marines here all appreciate your support; their lives are all made so much better because of your warm care. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything from me. Hope to talk to you soon!

Always,

Lenny

Amazing, he wants to know if there is ANYTHING WE NEED FROM HIM! 

Aside from coming home safely, I can't think of a thing, can you? This is only one of the Marines you help support!

Semper Fi

Happy New Year!

We have ended 2008 with a very successful sending program. My "heart project" has been received by many who have reached out and given to our Military and I want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! 

I just received a box of Cigars from a very dear friend in Florida and I assure you they will be a FAVORITE in the boxes. I have joyously retrieved checks from the mailbox and the winter wear, games, videos, books, protein bars and other special requests are going out every week. I was also given two boxes of books depicting the Canadian River Area through photographs taken by Deborah Summers. I am very excited about being able to send them to our Marines letting them know about my home and it's beauty. The winter caps, gloves and sweatshirts given by the Word of Life Church have been a very big hit. The Church had everyone bring something for the boxes when they had their Thanksgiving Dinner. How awesome to give Thanks by giving to our special men and women. 

The 5th grade classes at Borger Intermediate School, a 2nd grade class at Gateway and a 6th grade class at Borger Middle Schools all signed Thanksgiving and/or Christmas Cards and The Frank Phillips Ladies Softball Team sent cards to our guys as well. I've taken pictures of people in town to put in the boxes along with the cards and letters I've been given and I assure you as the replies come in, you'll know. 

The employees at the Borger Hastings and my Hallmark Ladies have been great at making sure we have books, videos, cd's, sunglasses, gift bags and cards to send in our boxes. 

Those of you who have dropped off sacks of goodies, books and gift items, at the Phillips Building in Borger, have no idea how much you have helped in filling the lives of our receivers. The men and women I send to are mostly those who have been listed as not getting much mail or any at all, so I know, you are touching hearts who think they aren't even thought about, much less, appreciated or loved. 

Your giving and your thoughtfulness keeps my tear ducts cleaned out and I wish there was more I could do to show the appreciation for your kindness. All I have is "THANK YOU VERY MUCH!" 

As our new year starts we have two units looking at coming home during the month of February. We still have units staying through to August of 2009 and as our present units come home, I'm sure another will slip into their place. It's part of that Momma thing wanting to take care of everyone and I'm working on it but it's a long and hard fought battle. Let's suffice it to say, this Momma ain't winning to many of those, "you have enough to send to just leave it alone and take care of who you already have" scrimmages going on in her head. The heart always wins and YOU make that possible.

From our Marines and from Momma Jodi, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your outpouring of love and appreciation sent every week in the 'Supporting Our Heroes' boxes. Y'ALL ARE AWESOME!  Happy New Year and may God pour out Blessings so massive you can't hold them all. 

Semper Fi

Greetings to the Borger Gateway 2nd Grade Class

My Granddaughter, Emme, had her class sign Thanksgiving Cards for our Marines and we put them in care boxes sent Corpsmen to Iraq. Chief Scott Stanley sent the following letter: 

Dear Students,

     I am Chief Scott Stanley, I was very happy to receive the care package from you, and the nice card. I want to thank you for your effort and time in sending it to me. This package brightened up my day. I hope that Santa brings you everything you asked for. I also hope you have a great Holiday Season, Remember do well in school and have fun. You will always be with me.

    Always,

   Scott Stanley

   HMC  USN/IRAQ

  

Semper Fi, 

Merry Christmas

Our sons came home for Christmas and it was a gift from the "Priceless" list. First to arrive was our Marine from 29Palms CA and how wonderful to see him. He is beautiful. He has grown at least 4" taller and carries that Marine Honor with pride... Our Soldier arrived a day later and it is especially wonderful to have him home this holiday as he will report back to Ft. Dix, NJ the 2nd of January 2009 with deployment for Iraq set for the 3rd. As I sat (and sit) and look at my sons, I think of those I mail to and in my heart yearn for them this Christmas, too. As I have said before, "when you are added to my mailing list, you enter my heart and become one of mine", and what better than to have all my "sons" home for the holidays. 

We love them all. We are proud of them and appreciate, more than words can say, the sacrifices they have made, are making and will make for the quest for freedom in a very oppressed land. You may not hear of the cheers they receive, the hugs they get, the smiles and love given to them by the citizens of the countries they are deployed to, but they are very appreciated by the majority of the people there and we need to realize that and not let the bad news cloud the good work our Military is doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our men and women have volunteered to be doing what they are doing and the majority of them feel they are doing good. Listen for their voices above the clamoring of the bad talk and the nay-sayers, look deeper than the television news teams and news-papers. There is more good news than bad, if only you'll look and listen for it.

If you want an address to write to and find out for yourself just how things are going, let me know, our Marines would love to hear from you how things are going here as well. They only get the news shows and news-papers, too. Can you imagine being away from home and reading the news papers today describing our country. Would YOU want to come home?? 

Enjoy your New Year and when you see one of our Military, go out of your way to shake their hand and tell them "Thank you! I really appreciate what you are doing!" You'd be surprised how it will lift them up and help make their day. 

Semper Fi,

Ed Freeman .... A True Hero

You're an 18 or 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle at Landing Zone X-ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. Your infantry unit is outnumbered 8 - 1 and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200 yards away, that you own Infantry Commander has ordered the Medi-Vac helicopters to stop coming in.

You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day.

Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear the sound of a helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem real, because no Medi-Vac markings are on it. Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs were ordered not to come.

He's coming anyway. And he drops it in, and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 2 or 3 of you on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the Doctors and Nurses. And, he kept coming back . . . . . 13 more times . . . . . and took about 30 of you and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.

Ed Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical  to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. 

Ed Freeman, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in July 2008. His heroics grew nation wide when his character was played by Mark McCracken in the film, "We Were Soldiers." 

Captain Freeman died 20 August 2008 at the age of 80 due to complications of Parkinson's Disease.

"ONE PERSON" Can Make a Difference

A very special friend reminded me through email and an attached video: It's true! One person can make a difference. I can. YOU can. ANYONE can. And if we put ourselves all together, WHAT A WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE WE CAN MAKE....  

One man decided he wasn't going to have our returning troops be treated like he was when he returned from combat. So he did something.  Every day, this wonderful "ONE" goes to the airport at DFW to meet returning troops. But this "ONE" isn't alone. He is joined by dozens, and because of their desire to join with him and "do something", our troops are blessed.....  Bert Brady - Welcome Home

Thank you! for joining with me to Bless our Troops!

Semper Fi

From HMH-466 in Iraq

Momma Jodi,

Hello, GySgt Malone here from HMH-466 in Iraq. Just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you to you and all who helped to brighten my Marine's day by sending the good stuff out here. The cards were passed out and brought many smiles to my men and women's faces. The kids did a great job on the cards, I would like to send out some stickers or something if I could. Please let me know how many you would need and I will do my best to get some for the kids. Thanks again for thinking of us out here, take care and God Bless!  

Gy Malone  (Shannon)

This is my crew, I am on the far left, thanks again!

When you think you've had a horrible day, or you are angry about traffic, the garbage not being carried out, the mess around the house, the junk in the yard. You are upset because the weather isn't what you wanted it to be and you had to cancel your outdoor plans. You just want to sit down and feel sorry for yourself because life isn't going the way you want it to go. . .  Take a couple of minutes and watch  "Lets Say Thanks"  and if you still feel like you did before you watched this clip, well, send me an email or call me and I'll see what I can do to help you out. Because YOU REALLY NEED SOME HELP!  I love you all and thank you for visiting this site. Semper Fi,  Momma Jodi

Tonight, Monday 1 December, Borger's Christmas Parade was a family affair. Great-grandparents, Grand-parents, kids, grand-kids, great-grandkids.... it was fun. It was cold. It was a race for the candy. I remember going to Parades just to see the Parade. Now, the kids see how much candy they can collect and the entrants (floats) compete to see who can throw the best candy. We watched the Parade and then watched the kiddos race for the candy. 

While watching all the activities, I noticed just

down the street some teenagers sitting on the back of a pick-up and candy all over the street in front of them. I walked over to them and asked why they weren't picking up the candy, when all of a sudden, WHAT TO MY WANDERING EYES DID APPEAR?! A YORK PEPPERMINT PATTY! I love YORK PEPPERMINT PATTIES! I snatched it up and right beside it was a BIG TOOTSIE ROLL! Okay, not so big but not one of those little baby tootsie rolls. And those kids were just sitting there! The young folks said they were waiting for the Parade to end, then they were going to pick it all up. I said my boys would already have been picking it up.  I told them that if they really wanted to do something good for someone, I'd give them a bag and they could pick it all up for me to put in the boxes I'll send out this week to our Marines and Corpsmen in Iraq and Afghanistan. They asked what I did and I told them that since June I'd been sending boxes every week to deployed Marines. I gave them a bag and they cleared the street of "Float Candy" and it was heart-lifting to see them gather it all up for our HEROES and to hear their laughter and giggles while harvesting the candy from the street. 

I thought about my sons, and in the laughter of the children and teens around me, I heard their laughter and it brought back the memories of them running here and there to gather the parade treats and I wondered how many other mommas were thinking about their sons and daughters tonight while watching their own community's Christmas Celebrations. Watching those kids, those teenagers, gather that candy made this momma very happy with her memories of past Christmas Parades.

To Madison, Emma, Tate and Greg I can only say that from the bottom of this Momma's heart and on behalf of the Marines and Corpsmen who will receive this week's boxes, THANK YOU! You are SUPER and you will never know just how many hearts you made happy with your collection of "Float Candy"!

Merry Christmas and Thanks for the Memories Semper Fi,

Momma Jodi

Greetings Supporters!!

Greetings Supporters!

For those of you who know me, you know I'm just a regular person and I can't do anything without the Hand of God in my life directing my day. As a regular person, I've tried it on my own, but without fail would end up in a heap, more times than I care to count so with age and Wisdom, I've learned not to take a step without His direction. And by living that, I have been blessed beyond belief and everyday He continues to show me His mercy, His love, His leading, His grace, His presence and His awesome blessings in my life and the life of my family.

It is with His direction that I started this project of the heart by sending to deployed Marines. And it has grown by leaps and bounds. I started with a unit of only 75. Yes, ONLY 75. It took two weeks to shop for, package and mail those boxes. My precious Marine Husband was very patient with me and has supported me since day one.

God has increased my giving by blessing me with people who want to give but didn't know what. People who wanted to send but didn't know to who (whom). People who just want to do something but didn't know where to go or how to go about it. He just said, "Do it." and I jumped in head first trusting He knew how deep the water was and that I'd be okay when I hit it. HE WAS RIGHT! HE ALWAYS IS!

TRUST isn't my strong suit. I've been burned by trusting and I'm quite cautious with those I do put my trust in, but God has never let me down. I may not trust ME, or my ABILITY, but He is always faithful. And the letters I receive from my MARINES are proof of that. I have several contacts who are in charge of hundreds of MARINES and they hand out the Support Boxes, cards, letters and pictures that I send. God in His infinite wisdom directs the distribution of those items and just the right young men receive them. We have touched Marines who haven't received a thing from home, until they were handed one of our boxes. We have put a smile in a Marine's heart who had been with the Unit for months before receiving a letter from us and it was only his second piece of communication with the outside world. We have touched the lives of many brave men who thought they had been forgotten, that they were unappreciated, unloved and unwanted. We have made a difference in the lives of people, we will never meet, yet, we have touched them.

Our Marines have handed out candies, school supplies and toys to children who will never know us, but they know our Marines and they know that the Americans they have contact with are not the devil and aren't wicked, mean people. They know the Americans they meet on the road are protectors, friends, people to be welcomed and not feared.

You as a supporter of 'SUPPORTING OUR HEROES' are a part of that victory. You are a part of changing the lives of those children and those wonderful MARINES.... I thank you and love you for caring enough to help.

Sandy Johnson and Judy Morriss brought me Thanksgiving Greeting Cards. 325 of them. I took 250 to the Borger Intermediate School, 25 to a 2nd Grade class at Gateway Elementary in Borger. A young lady from Grace Fellowship Church in Borger took 50 to hand to young people Wednesday night. I will pick them up in a day or so and mail them to several of my contacts. I promise you, there will be 325 Marines who's spirits will be lifted when those cards are handed to them. Thank you Sandy for those smiles!

Sandy also brought Christmas cards and said she has more, so when I get them I'll distribute them and look forward to sending them out with Support Boxes, too.

I have stockings and gift bags (THANK YOU SANDY and JUDY) to fill for Christmas. Anything you can do to help our deployed Marines is greatly appreciated. OUR two military sons will be with us this Christmas as they won't deploy until after the first of the year. BUT there are thousands who won't be home and I plan on reaching hundreds of them. No, let me rephrase, I WILL reach hundreds of them. I welcome your gifts and any help you can give.

This momma and her Marine Husband love having their family around and making them happy on holidays. Last year we were without our Andrew as he was in Boot Camp but THIS year, we'll have ALL of our family together to celebrate the Birth of Christ and as a family thank God for keeping our Military Sons in His wonderful protective hands and we'll thank Him for holding our NEWLY ACQUIRED MILITARY FAMILY in His hands along with our own Jeremy and Andrew.

It is those who are far away we pray for and send Thanksgiving and Christmas Greetings and Cheer and Gifts to, and we ask for and welcome your help in doing so.

Semper Fi,
Momma Jodi

Cards for Our Troops

I love knowing people want to remember our Service men and women but if all of your gifts, cards, letters are just put in the bin because of bad addresses, we do no one any good. I also understand the security in the guidelines. You wouldn't write or place harmful things in cards, I wouldn't either, but you'd be surprised who would and THAT is the reason for the security. . . . Feel free to pass this on. But hurry, Dec 10 is quickly approaching.

Semper Fi, Jodi



Cards/packages addressed to: Any Soldier, Any Wounded Soldier, Any Wounded and Recovering Soldier, etc, etc, will not be accepted by the United States Postal Service and IF by some chance it does makes it through the system, IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED nor distributed by Walter Reed Hospital.

If you want to send cards/letters use the link below for further information on HOW TO SEND Holiday Mail for Heroes.

http://www.redcross.org/email/saf/

Holiday Mail for Heroes

From the front lines to the home front, the American Red Cross provides service members, their families and veterans with the care and assistance they need.

The Red Cross is partnering with Pitney Bowes this holiday season for the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. For the second year in a row, we’re collecting holiday cards to distribute to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Pitney Bowes is generously donating technology, resources and postage to make this holiday card program possible.

Our goal is to collect and distribute one million holiday cards to spread holiday cheer and facilitate thanks to these brave individuals and families.

Please send cards to this address, following the guidelines listed below:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456


Card Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines when mailing a card to ensure that your card will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families. Every card received will first be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working in one of 16 sorting stations around the country.

All cards must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 10, 2008. Cards sent after this date will be returned to sender.
Participants are encouraged to limit the number of cards they submit to 25 from any one person or 50 from any one class or group. If you are mailing a larger quantity, please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes. Each card does not need its own envelope or postage.
Please ensure that all cards are signed.
Please use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.
Please send cards as opposed to long letters which delay a quick review process.
Please do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.
Please do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.
All cards received may be used in program publicity efforts, including appearing in broadcast, print or online mediums.

Update from 1st Maint Battalion, Trans. Co.

24 Nov 2008
From 1stSgt Sanders
1st Maintenance Battalion, Transportation Co.

I would like to take this time to thank you on behalf of myself and the Marines from Transportation Co. Thank you for bringing a smile to our face with all the care packages. I know personally that your gifts and packages filled to the brim with love, and goodness, is a display of wholesome support. They especially like the cards from the children that draw the pictures, the words written are like gold to us Marines it means a lot to the unit. Once again thank you for the bottom of our Marine hearts.



My Dear Hero Supporters,
I couldn't do this without your help. Thank you for helping me get these boxes out to our Marines. To those who have donated this past week, you have helped fill nearly 20 boxes. And I just received 5 new names yesterday. THANK YOU for helping reach these Marines who, otherwise, would not be getting mail.
Semper Fi,
Jodi

From 2ndLt Tran 3/7

12 Nov 2008:
Greetings,

I just wanted to update everyone on our numbers. Since the battalion is constantly undergoing movements and operations, the 1stSgt’s from each of the Companies will be the points of contact for their care packages. This will make it easier to spread the care items to the Marines since they won’t all be located where I am. I’ll still be able to receive packages for approximately 150 Marines (all male) located here with me.

Thank you Angel, Edna, Jodi, Kathleen, Mary Jo, Lindbergh, Sandy, and Teresa for your ongoing support and care. We appreciate everything you do.

Very Respectfully,

Lenny Tran
Second Lieutenant
3/7 Adjutant, USMC

Dear Hero Supporters,

You received some emails from me earlier today. A couple from two of our Marines and one from me telling about our Thanksgiving Cards and Christmas plans for gift boxes for our Marines and asking for your help in filling the gift bags.

I wrote to you that our military sons would be home with us Christmas but thousands wouldn't be and that " I plan on reaching hundreds of them. No, let me rephrase, I WILL reach hundreds of them. I welcome your gifts and any help you can give. "

Later, I received an email from Harry and Cheryl Salem, two of our Supporters, telling me of a church in Louisiana that wanted to send Christmas packages to deployed troops. They told them about what we are doing and that they would have me contact them. Now, I don't know about you, but I believe God just opened the door to reaching HUNDREDS OF MARINES. I love the way our God works !

I sit here with a huge smile on my face and tears in my eyes because I know there are more hearts being touched and more doors being opened. And I can feel the happiness that will fill the hearts of the Marines who will be on the receiving end of these gifts, letters, cards and prayers.

I wanted to share this gift of giving with you because it was just too good to keep to myself and when our Marines get blessed, believe me, WE GET BLESSED, TOO. God bless you all and remember to keep our Marines in your thoughts and prayers.

Semper Fi
Jodi

Hey! It's my day for getting email. This is from our newest contact, Corpsman Luis Mendozaruiz

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Dear Momma Jodi,

Thank you very much for the box that you have sent to me, it was an awesome surprise to me when I received it, in fact I am enjoying some of the tea that was in the box. As you already know I my name is Luis Mendozaruiz I am from Goodyear, AZ and I am a corpsman of marines or as they may know me as “Doc”. I read in your letter that you have two sons both which are in the service and I thank you for taking the time to send me a package when you have already have two sons of your own to take care of. well the weather here is much like yours, its always keeping us on our toes. It gets pretty cold over here now a days in the morning and at night and hot in the afternoon. One day can be bright and sunny and the next well have sand storms and the next maybe some rain. This is my second deployment I did one deployment after the other, its not bad I don’t think, just different. I shared the rules of combat with every one here and they had a laugh they sure did appreciate that. And once again thank you very much.


HM3 Mendozaruiz, Luis

Dear Supporters,
Just in, this note from SgtMaj Lewallen. I appreciate the letters and emails I receive from the MARINES I mail to but I know they have a lot more on their minds than responding re: a rec'd package, you know, like, STAYING ALIVE! But I do love hearing from them, when they have time to write. I have more boxes ready to go to out and will have them in the mail Friday. If you have anything you'd like to put in or help with, let me know. Also, if you'd like to send cards or letters, PLEASE contact me. We can put them in the boxes or I have addresses you can send to personally. It has been my purpose to let them know WE SUPPORT THEM and THEIR EFFORT. Marines! Gotta love 'em! They are absolutely AWESOME! Monday the 10th was the 233rd Birthday of the Corps. OORAH! MARINES! WE LOVE YA!
Semper Fi,
Momma Jodi



rec'd 12 November 2008
Wednesday

Jodi,

I received a box from you today and actually I believe that makes a total of three boxes I have received from you. I apologize for the delay, we have been extraordinarily busy over the past two weeks and once I get behind, I can’t ever seem to catch up. I have to admit that I snatched the chips and dip out of the box today, I will share but I have quite a weakness for the cheese dip. The rest I already got out to the boys and they always appreciate your packages. I am hoping they are sending you an email, I left your letter in at least one of the boxes. Actually, maybe I didn’t I have enjoyed the letter that you included, that I think I kept them. Let me still try working on the names for you for the shirts. Yesterday, two days ago was the birthday as you know and we traveled around to all the different company positions and conducted a cake cutting ceremony at each. Additionally, each Marine was given two “real” beers to enjoy that day, so it was a great day for everyone. The cigars are a big hit, Marines love enjoying a cigar after a long day of patrolling. If you want to send more packages I will try to get better at letting you know they got here, but please don’t get the impression that we don’t appreciate the support.

Thank you for being a great Marine Mom, and overall we are proud to have you as a part of our Marine family.

R/S
Sergeant Major Richard Lewallen
Task Force 1/3
3402-325

I received a check from Rene and Joe and quickly used it for a vacuum for one of our Marines to help rid their office area of what he called "moon dust".... A very fine dust that when dusted or swept floats in the air then lightly lands back on their equipment and clothes. I wrote to our 2Lt to make sure he still needed the vac and rec'd his reply this morning and as promised, am sharing it with you. I also received a phone call from Rex Young who is on a "tobacco hunt".... He is trying to get someone to donate or greatly reduce the price of tobacco products to mail to our MARINES. Rex has purchased a bunch of tobacco for the Friday boxes .... Word of Life Church called and loaded the back of my car with donations for the boxes. Their Children's Sunday School Classes had collected and packaged small stuffed animals, coloring books, crayons and pencils and candy, for the children who look forward to seeing our MARINES come into their cities, towns and villages. "OORAH! " You guys are great, all of you from Word of Life, Rex, Rene & Joe, y'all are AWESOME! THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH! for all you do and give. This project of the heart couldn't get very far without your support and the support of all of our other HERO SUPPORTERS!

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND REMEMBER OUR MARINES ARE STILL OUT THERE SO WE CAN DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT FEAR OF DUCKING AND DODGING BOMBS AND BULLETS!
Semper Fi, Jodi

The mail carrier just came by and THANK YOU DOLORES! You are an answer to my prayers! OORAH! (which today is Momma Marine for "Hallelujah!" )


Momma Jodi,
I have not found a vacuum. I've been kept really busy and haven't had
much time to search. I would greatly appreciate anything you can find.
I'm already most grateful for all you've done. I'm very impressed by how
much time and effort you put into making us Marines more comfortable.
You're such a blessing to us all.
Please feel free to use my pictures anywhere you like. I'll send more if
I take some, but it's one of those things that are tightly controlled
because of the security issues.

Thanks again for all that you do. I don't know the words to adequately
express my appreciation. Please let me know if there's anything that I
can do on my end.

Your New Family Member,
Lenny

Dear HERO SUPPORTER,

First and Foremost! A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Word of Life Church for the boxes of goodies you donated for OUR HEROES! You guys are awesome! And Rene', your check came in at just the right time. You and Joe are wonderful! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We've received letters from a couple of OUR HEROES. Their weather is getting colder so keep that in mind when and if you shop for them: blankets, pillows, hand & foot warmers, hooded sweatshirts & stocking caps, (military colors ie: black, green, dark brown). Boot socks. Gloves.

We have also had request for things like:

Propel, Gatorade drink mix (single serve please)
red bull
Nail clippers
Eye drops
Foot powder
Foot inserts
Shaving gel
Mach 3 & Fusion razors & blades
Disposable razors
body wash
Copenhagen, Skoal, Marlboro lights (I know, I know .. if you are inclined you can grab a Wall Mart gift card)
Microwavable meals
jerky
Chips
Salsa
Coffee & powdered creamer
Current DVD movies
Magazines (ATV, Truck, Maxxim, Men's Health etc)

and we can always use:

* wet wipes / baby wipes
* white/black boot socks
* hard candies (they hand out a lot to the local kids)
* now that it is colder, CHOCOLATE CANDY
* Chewing gum
* chili with the zip top lids
* Campbells soups with zip top lids
* Charmin Toilet Tissue
* Kleenex travel packs
* Swiffer dusters & refills

* IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT or CAN USE IT, OUR MARINES WOULD PROBABLY LIKE IT and CAN USE IT, TOO!

We have collection boxes placed at Happy State Bank in Borger and at the Borger Post Office. We have more in the making and when they are placed in businesses, we'll let you know. If you want one, please call! 806-898-0356 . . . Until then, if you have something you need picked up or if you want Collection bags to hand out at your club, office or school, call and I'll drop them off or bring them to you.

Thank you for SUPPORTING OUR HEROES. You are the reasons we get letters like the ones below.
Semper Fi
Jodi

Note from 3/7 Marines
Date: November 2, 2008

Jodi,
It's so nice to hear from you. I am truly impressed by all the work you are
doing to support our Marines over here. Please know that although we
can't all thank you personally, in our hearts is a deep appreciation for your
care and warm wishes. I receive a package from you today postmarked
15 October. Thank you very much; I'll be sure to disseminate them to the Marines.

To answer your question of what we do, we're an infantry battalion. We
do a lot of foot and mobile patrols and convoys. We are also engaged in
a lot of humanitarian efforts in the Iraqi cities.

Thanks again for all that you do. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Your Friend,
Lenny



From: 1/3 Marines
Date: November 4, 2008

Dear Mrs. McClellan

i joined the marine corps about a year after i graduated my MOS is
0331 machinegunner and i love it soo much shooting a machinegun
is like havin lightning in ur hands lol anywho i do apprciate everything
u have done so far for me and the guys here we love all the love and
support we get from good people like u... and havin someone to talk
to ain't bad either ;) but anyway thank u for ur support and prayers and
the love u send my way and all of our deployed members here.

always thankful,
chris

Dear Hero Supporters!

Happy November!

The other day, while I was packing boxes for the mail today and getting the update letter out, I received an email from a lady in Katy Texas. Her son told her that for his 7th Birthday Party he wanted to do something special. He wanted a MILITARY party and he wanted his guests to bring something they could send to someone serving overseas. He wanted to send them to someone in Iraq or Afghanistan. She said the party was a huge success. The kids made cards and wrote letters to go along with the gifts they brought and NOW that Wyatt had all of his "gifts" he needed somewhere to send them. She had been searching all day and when she googled: "sending care packages to the military in Iraq" my website www.SupportingOurHeroes.com came up and she emailed me immediately.

Monica got her address within about 5 minutes. I am amazed at the connection but will put that blessing where it belongs and Thank God for my new friends in Katy, Texas. Wyatt so reminds me of our Andrew in that when he was six years old he insisted we buy a Thanksgiving Dinner Box for the Firemen at the Borger Fire Department. And for every Thanksgiving since, he has made sure they had their Thanksgiving Dinner Box. When he has been home, he personally delivered the dinners and while at College, called home to remind me to "get 'r done!" How awesome our youngsters are and how blessed we are to know them and have them with us to teach us how to show appreciation to our HEROES by just the most simple things. A Birthday Party. A Dinner Box. How blessed we are. . . . .

Wyatt and his mom have certainly helped clean out my tear ducts and I'm sure the MARINES they send to will be very happy to hear from them.

With the holidays coming up, I want to ask that while you are shopping or planning parties or family gatherings, don't forget our HEROES. Our local HEROES, our HEROES standing for our FREEDOM overseas and our HEROES on bases here in the United States of America. If you have something special you would like to donate for the Support Boxes, please let me know and we'll make sure it gets mailed right away. We are updating our 'wish list" on the web site as it is winter now and our needs have shifted from things to keep cool to things to stay warm. If you have any questions or a truck load of things I need to pick up, (my biggest wish) call 806-898-0356 or email Jodi@supportingourheroes.com .

Thank you for "Supporting Our Heroes"
Semper Fi
Jodi

As you know, boxes go out every week at least once and sometimes two or three times. Here are some responses to the "Support Boxes" sent out a few weeks ago. I'm guessing "Chris" does or did a lot of texting. It took a little while, but I love his letter. I'm looking for a small vac to send to 2nd Lt Tran that will handle the fine dust. Any ideas? I appreciate all the help I can get and our MARINES love getting mail from home, so cards and letters are always wanted.....

Enjoy the letters, without your support, the boxes wouldn't be going out.
Semper Fi,
Momma Marine,
Jodi



From: Chris Mack
Subject: thank you
Date: October 27, 2008 1:29:20 AM CDT
To: Jodi McClellan

Dear Mrs. McClellen

my name is christopher mack i am a marine on deployment to iraq with 1 battalion 3rd marines bravo campany and i recevied some of the items u sent us. thank you for the love and support that u show to the troops over here we need more people like u that have good hearts! ;)

Dear Chris,
How wonderful to hear from someone who has received from me. WHAT would you like to have in the next box? I send out boxes EVERY week at least once and when time and supplies allow, more than that. I sent the boxes to SgtMaj Lewallen but from here on out, I will make sure you get your own package.

I mailed boxes to a MARINE Helicopter Pilot in Afghanistan until he got to go home and he called me, "Momma Marine" I love the name! I have decided to keep it. You guys are deep in my heart and if the Corps didn't have that stupid AGE CUT OFF thing, I'd be out there with my "boys". I tried to enlist with our youngest. The Recruiter said, "Well, ma'am, there's an age limit to enlisting." I honestly think Andrew breathed a sigh of relief. Probably a good thing, that age limit, they'd probably have killed me. I have a bad habit of listening to the voices in my head instead of my "body". My head seems to think I can still do anything I put my mind to. My body KNOWS that ain't so, and will let me know to just what extent I have misbelieved by yelling loudly through every muscle and joint in it. So, I'll let the Corps have that one. ANYWAY, this Momma Marine has been given a super name and I will use it proudly by serving YOU and YOUR BROTHERS & SISTERS with love.

I have two sons serving right now. In August our middle son was recalled from the inactive ready reserve while trying to re-enlist into the Army Warrant Officer Program. So, now, he is a Vehicle Commander in a Stryker Brigade. He loves it. He will deploy right after the first of the year.

Last Dec our youngest entered the USMC. OORAH! Following Daddy's footsteps.... He is 0811 and when I asked why that instead of, oh how about, AVIONICS? Know what he said? Go ahead, guess.... His reply, my sweet baby, the song in my heart, the holder of my breath, my adorable little boy, my precious son said, "MOM! I GET TO BLOW @#$% UP! " Oh, how proud I must have been of him. A couple of days later, we're sitting at the airport and his biggest brother asks what his MOS is and Andrew tells him and my oldest says, "COOL ! YOU GET TO BLOW @#$% UP!" Chris, it was at that very moment I realized, 0811, it's a GUY THING! Should've realized that early on, my husband, USMC, 0811.... go figure.

Well, puddin' you take care of yourself and let me know what you can use and I'll do my best to get it to you. In the meantime, know that you are very important and in my eyes, thoughts and heart, YOU ARE A CHAMPION, YOU ARE APPRECIATED AND YOU ARE ONE OF MY HEROES.

With lots of prayers and love,
Momma Marine
Jodi



From:Chris Mack
Subject: Re: thank you
Date: October 28, 2008 2:14:38 AM CDT
To: Jodi McClellan

Dear Momma Marine(lol)

first off i think that is a perfect name for u you i think anyone who shows as much support as u do deserves that title but i think i'll let u hold that title for me if thats ok with u? if yes then good! ;) lol anywho yeah 0811 is definetly a guy thing...i mean think about it when we were young we were destructive so when we get older what else would we want to do lol! but now with everything you've told me i see why u have so much support for us heck just about every man of importance in ur life has or is serving time in the military...which i know has to be hard for u but just know that ur strength and ur kind heartedness give us strength to deal with the distance and hard times that we indure here so the more support the better ;) as in regards to sendin me individual packages u don't have to do that what ur doin already is good enough for me really! so just keep doin what ur doin...lol and on a lighter note yeah its probably a good thing u didn't join with ur soon cause that would have been rough for him in bootcamp lol but it would have mad one heck of a headline in the marine times lol

much love and thanks
-chris
p.s.
i don't know if i told u this in the last e-mail but i'm from Texas also...random i know but i saw u were from there so i guess i figured u'd like to know u were talkin to a fellow Texan!


From: 2nd Lt Lenny Tran
Subject: Care package
Date: October 30, 2008 12:35:59 PM CDT
To: Jodi McClellan

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Jodi,
It was so good to get your package and read your letter. I appreciate the time and effort you spent to get the package here. Life is hard over here sometimes but you’re generosity and care will make it better. I’ll be sure to spread the candy around so that I’m not the only one getting cavities. I’m originally from San Jose, CA, went to school at UC San Diego, and am stationed at 29 Palms. We were recently able to get some pillows and mats, so we’re good on those, but of course, anything you send will be utilized and appreciated. The only thing I would request right now is a small vacuum cleaner powerful enough to suck up fine sand and dust. As you know, it’s really sandy here; the sand is really fine and once you disturb it, it puffs up in the air, lingers, and then settles on whatever it touches. We call it “moon dust” and it gets everywhere. We have plenty of brooms and brushes, but they just spread the moon dust from one place onto another. Anyway, I figure the best way to combat it is to suck it off of our clothes and sheets. So a small, powerful vacuum would all I ask for to make daily life a little better. Other than that, everything is fine. The weather is starting to turn cold so we’ll be switching from our heat prevention gear to our cold protection gear. I hope everything is going well with you. I’m certain that all the Marines who have benefited from your work are most appreciative of all your care and support. Thanks again.

Your Friend,
Lenny

Momma Marine!

 

Life here in good ol’ Afghanistan is coming to a close.  We are almost done, just wrapping things up and turning things over.  I can’t complain!  I’ll be home in time to see the family for Turkey day!

 

As for sending us more boxes, our mail is getting turned off in a couple of days so no worries.  You have done so much already that we are all very appreciative of, especially Cpl Robinson!  I dropped something in the mail for you a few days ago as well, hope you can read my handwriting!  I can hide that, my poor hand writing and spelling, with emails!

 

I wanted to tell you thank you again for everything.  Sometimes I don’t think people realize the power of not being forgotten.  Not that I am asking for anything, I really I can go about my business as a Marine and just be fine.  But there are great kids over here doing great things on a daily basis, so it’s nice that occasionally someone such as you shows appreciation.  Our country is such that, unless engaged in it, things are free from our mind.  The Marines out here performed better than anyone could have even predicted, under conditions that were more dynamic than anyone expected.  And ALWAYS came out on top.  So again thank you for remembering all of America’s greatest national treasures over here, the county’s youth.

 

Semper Fi Momma Marine,

Capt Matthew “Duck” Roberts

HMM-365 (REIN), Operations

24 MEU FWD DEPLOYED

Kandahar, Afghanistan

 

Mrs. McClellan!

Thank you for the great gift package, I loved it!  I split it up with a few Marines that work for me, a great surprise to start one of my days out here.  It seems out here food and sweets are such a big hit; we all devour them as soon as we get them.  If it wasn’t for the heat, I bet we’d all way 20 lbs more than we do right now.  But fortunately the heat and work hours keep us busy and moving.  I had never heard of Borger TX until reading you letter, but I believe I was once moderately close to it.  I went through an Air Force flight school program for 6 months in Enid OK, Vance Air Force Base, about an hour north of Oklahoma City if I remember correctly.  I’ve written some responses below to the other letters that were in the package you sent.  Please, if possible, make sure they find their way to all the great letter writers!  Thanks.

A few answers to your questions:  I am part of an 82 person detachment that was detached (hence detachment huh) from our parent squadron and attached to the squadron I am part of.  I fly CH-53Es (see attached picture) and the 82 person detachment I am part of all fly or work on the four aircraft we brought over.  We are attached to an ACE (Aviation Combat Element) composed of 4 different types of helicopters and 2 types of fixed wing aircraft.  The ACE is part of an even bigger unit, termed the MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) composed of about 2200 Marines, all working together to accomplish whatever missions we are tasked with.

Okay, a few words for the others:

Mattie !

First off, let me congratulate you on a great name   Mattie is also my nickname and was my call sign for a while as well until it was changed to Duck because I almost flew in to a flock of birds.  Good luck in the 6

th

grade and great to hear from you!

 

Lexi !

How are things in Borger TX this time of year?  Hot I imagine, I know a little about that.  It’s around 110 in the day time over here, but it gets down to the 80s at night. I am currently working the night shift, so I come in at 7 p.m. and go home at 7 a.m. so I am normally asleep during the hottest part of the day.  But it still gets really hot flying around my helicopter, even at night.  Have fun being 13 and enjoy the 8

th

grade!

 

Marissa !

The 8

th

grade, you are almost in high school!  Thank you for the letter and the support, it is always nice to know we are appreciated over hear.  What do you like to do for fun, sports, read, socialize?  Have fun this summer and enjoy the 8

th

grade, next year high school!

 

Emme !

Hello Emme, I like the way you wrote your letter with a pen and a marker.  It looks really cool!  Are you getting to go outside and play this summer?  I have two girls, Madison and Taylor.  Taylor just turned 6 on July 3

rd

and Madison is your age, 7.  She is going to be in the second grade too.  Madison loves to play outside in the summer.  Have fun in the second grade!

 

I wish all of you well!

 

Capt Matthew “Duck” Roberts

Kandahar Afghanistan

Personally, I think WE ALL should copy this and hang it on the wall so we can see it and be reminded each and every day just how much OUR FREEDOM COST and then we should SAY A PRAYER OF THANKS AND PROTECTION FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN! 

And after that prayer we should write a letter or sign a card or go purchase something to put in the boxes for Supporting Our Heroes that are mailed out every week and really SHOW THEM HOW PROUD OF THEM WE ARE AND HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE AND LOVE THEM. . . . . 

But then that's just me, my thought and opinion and here of late, my life . . . 

To those who fought so I have the freedom "TO DO" what I want to do and to you who fought so that people in other countries could have the freedoms I enjoy everyday, YOU ARE AWESOME, YOU ARE CHAMPIONS, YOU ARE HEROES!  From a wide world of people, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! 

Love you all,
Jodi

When a Soldier or Marine returns home, they find it hard . . . .

          ...to listen to his son whine about being bored.

     ... to keep a straight face when people complain about pot holes.

    ... to be tolerant of people who complain about the hassle of getting ready for work.

     ... to be understanding when a co-worker complains about a bad night's sleep.

      ... to be silent when people pray to God for a new car.

 

      ... to control his panic when his wife tells him he needs to drive slower.

... to be compassionate when a businessman expresses a fear of flying.

... to keep from laughing when anxious parents say they are afraid to send their kids off to summer camp.

      ... to keep from ridiculing someone who complains about hot weather.

     ... to control his frustration when a colleague gripes about his coffee being cold.

     ... to remain calm when his daughter complains about having to walk the dog.

     ... to be civil to people who complain about their jobs.

... to just walk away when someone says they ONLY get two weeks vacation a year.

... to be forgiving when someone says how hard it is to have a new baby in the house.

     The only thing harder than being a Soldier or Marine. . . .

      ... is loving one.

I love getting these messages. I know why I am doing what I am doing and I know it is costing a lot to do it, BUT when I read these letters it reinforces the HEART REASON I am doing what I do. And to all of you who are helping with your donations of money and supplies, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! from the bottom of my heart and THANK YOU EVEN MORE THAN THAT from the MARINES receiving the benefit of your efforts and gifts . . . .

Semper Fi and God Bless,

Jodi 

(via any Marine)  Major Bourland, 2/24 Weaps

 

24 June

 

Gang, first and most important, thank you all for your support. Mail has been hit or miss with air delivery but, hey, some is better than than none.. Don't be discouraged, though, it will get here eventually (like 2 days before we go home.. just kidding)

 

We have been making a nice meal out of the care packages we do get. Our Diets of Doritos, tail mix and easy open cans of Chef Boy R D are pretty good when you are hungry. Heat not required, you have the almighty sun 2 inches from your blaring face (it was only 117 today)  I have lost 30 pounds and none of my close fit any more... Great.. not. Trying to pack on the calories, I have resorted to a full attack diet of MRE's.  You are supposed to get around 2000 calories from each of these things but it's all in the delivery of the meal.   Hey, don't knock it until you try it or are so freaking hungry you can eat a dead cat in the road.. here kitty, kitty.

 

It was a tough decision today as I looked into the dirt filled leftovers in the cardboard MRE box, chicken and vegetables and noodles in some really kind of funky smelling sauce with mushrooms, or, the ever not so favorite Cajun meat(do they WANT me to explode?) or Jambalaya.. yes the stuff with the seafood.. in a bag... for a year or so. Okay, It looks like it's chicken and veggies.  As the chicken heated up in the almighty chemical heater pouch that took a layer off the skin of my hand it was so hot, I inhaled a small bag of pretzels. Tasty I thought.. Should have washed my hands, though, as the post thought goes through my head after I have shaken about 30 Iraqis hands recently. Grab the cracker packet that came in the pouch and pummeled them into crumbs "BAM" , this is the key to be mixed with the chicken and then, finally mash the cheese spread packet in it. BAM.. because everyone knows you can choke down anything with cheese on it ... and maybe ketchup, salt and pepper.

 

SO now everything is in place as you cut the envelope holding the hotter than the sun chicken and smell the omniscient fresh chicken smell fill the room. That's not chicken I smell though as the Marine in the next room just did a "crop dusting" ... gassing. For the love of GOD, Man, take that outside and burn your clothes and bleach your body all over until that dead animal smell goes away. This is the part where the women really love us fellas ! Booooya !

Crackers smashed and poured into chicken "BAM" , eyes still burning from the recent gas attack but no need for a gas mask jus yet as I tell myself "I'm tuff, I can take it" in a high pitched voice.  Wait, now I can't find my dang spoon. Never leave your spoon around while eating, often your best buddy will accidentally pick it up (because he lost his) or, y ou may set in mice poo or something that is never good. This is bad, no spoon means that I have to eat this like a dot eating food out of a bowl . Yes, I have done it, no I am not proud of it but will do it again. Wait, found it, it was in my pocket .. swhoo. Chemicals now continue to rise out of the MRE heater pouch combined with the recent gas attack, we might have a little problem. The first bite is a little off, perhaps dumping the small bag of highly melted M&M's into it will do the trick.. nope, that didn't work well and now the heat has caused a very bad looking chicken to turn worse.. with cheese, crackers and M&M syrup sprinkled on it. Too bad, it's "what's for dinner" as the commercial says. Second bite is delayed due to the two flies that thought they rated chow more than me as they did a drive by spoon pooping on the bite. Death to all flies, I say to myself. YUM.. and take the bite

The meal has now hit my stomach and began it's 3X expansion in the size completely attracting all water out of the other parts of my body. Why does my head hurt. Wipe hand off with sanitize napkin next to the quarter size "toilet paper" pkg which is only enough TP to really see a grown man make a complete mess. Begin to pick up the several empty envelopes of chow that will most likely stick to your butt if you don't pick them up.  Not a real symbol of authority (insert visual here) Stuff everything back into the jumbo bullet stopping plastic bag this heart attack meal came in and encourage with a manly size 12 foot to flatten.. again, "BAM" . Tell your kids to eat their dinner tonight or they get "what's for dinner" from Maj Pain.

Thanks again for all of the support and chow

 

 

TAKE A LOOK AT THE LIVING QUARTERS OUR MARINES HAVE.  

AND KEEP IN  MIND THE 117* HEAT THE MAJOR MENTIONS.

COULD YOU WEAR ALL OF THIS STUFF IN 117* HEAT?  

I'M NOT SURE I COULD DO IT. 

12 June - 2008    (Al Anbar, Iraq)

I'd like to share a piece of an e mail that I recently responded to. One of my good friends asked me why I felt such pride to be a Marine. Below is my response. I think this accurately captures why Marines do what we do here

"You asked me why I enjoy being a Marine so much. Being a Marine is all about taking pride in your job. Marines are an intensely proud and motivated lot. You won't hear too many Marines complain about being in Iraq too long like a few of our sister services do. To give an example, the other day I found out that we had to send a few Marines back early to get everything ready for our return to the states. I asked my clerk Cpl Soto if he'd like to go back early. He thought for a moment and said "nah, 1st Sgt, I like it here just fine". These young men are absolutely phenomenal. Let me give you some idea about how Marine are viewed by others :

 1.. In 1950 President Truman sent a special envoy to observe the Marines fighting in Korea. This envoy was General Frank Lowe, an Army General. Truman disliked the Marine Corps and thought we were a waste of money. He sent Lowe to spy on us and report back. Upon his return, Gen Lowe reported the following to the president "The safest place in all Korea was behind a platoon of Marines - lord how they could fight"
 2.. After the Marines' spectacular landing at Inchon, General Macarthur (another opponent of the Marine Corps) stated, "I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front and there is no finer fighting organization in the world"
 3.. I was recruited out of SE Kentucky. There was this Japanese guy that was recruited with me. He got a visa to come to the States and join the Marines. When I asked him why, he said "every one in Japan knows that the United States Marine Corps is the toughest fighting unit in the world"
 4.. I went to boot camp with a Russian who said the same thing. He said that every Russian knew how tough U.S. Marines were. This was during the cold war by the way. When American's current and former enemies have that much regard for Marines that really says something.
 5.. During WW 1 at the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Germans nicknamed us "Teuffel Heunden (translated devil dog) because of the tough fight with the Marines there.
You asked me what makes a Marine. Pride, tradition, sense of belonging, brotherhood and camaraderie all make a Marine special. No other service has those things.

Please don't misunderstand me, all of our service men and women offer a huge personal sacrifice in the service to their country but the Marines are different.

Throughout history, Marines have continuously answered the nation's call with spectacular results. Everyone knows and fears Marines. That's pretty special. I have a tremendous sense of pride to serve with each and every one of these outstanding young men. They are truly awesome !!

P.S. - The picture I've attached was taken yesterday.  This is what a dust storm (not to be confused with sand storm - that's different) looks like.  We call them 'snow days' for good reason.  The look white when one of these sets in.

r/s 1stSgt Charles Wells
Weapons Company First Sergeant
3rd Bn, 4th Marines, RCT-5
Al Anbar, Iraq


"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week." - Patton

This is why I do what I do! God is certainly "Supporting Our Heroes" how on earth could I do any less. This came from Dianne, in Tampa FL.

Date:

June 9, 2008 4:52:28 PM CDT

Subject:

Hello from Capt Matory, Golf 2/3

Dearest Dianne,

 

I know this message is pretty late considering the wonderful support you and your people have shown Golf 2/3 but we just recently took over an area that had email.  While I always try to impress upon Your Marines that email is a "lazy" form of communication and that writing a letter and mailing it is always preferred when connecting with family and friends back home, I have found that I myself have just got to use email to ensure that folks back home know what is going on.

 

Also, I am not sure if you are aware, but due to our lack of email and internet, I failed to keep up with the Any Marine program so you are actually our sole supporter at this time.  I am not sure how your organization works but if you can no longer support us I understand.  We getting to the end of our deployment and they will actually be sending our mail to Hawaii beginning in Mid-July.

 

I wanted to take an opportunity to let you know how important your contribution has been to the Golf Company.  I am sure you are following developments in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but Iwanted to let you know how important the donations have been to our little part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the best way to do it is to tell you about something that happened very recently.

 

At about 6 AM one day I got a call in my office that something very bad had happened.  Of course, I cannot say exactly what happened but what I can say is that the incident had a negative effect on the many good things Golf Company is doing where we are.

 

By 9 AM I was standing in a home that had been nearly destroyed the night before and was listening to more than a few angry villagers.  All I could do was apologize.  I had nothing to give these people except for my time.  I don't carry money with me and whatever money I would be able to give them would really not be enough.  There are only so many ways to say "I am sorry" in Arabic but, there are plenty of ways to express how upset the Iraqis were at us at the time.

 

After a few more hours a number of children entered the home and the situation became more uncomfortable.  I don't like getting yelled at in front of children.  I really don't like any yelling or confrontation in front of these kids...they have seen enough.

 

After standing there a little while longer, I had an idea.  These people need water.  I had bottled water in my Humvee. I ordered my men to give them our water.  That helped a little. 

I asked my Marines if there was anything else we could give the families.  All we had left was our mail.

 

I went to my vehicles to look at the mail, instinctively looking/hoping to see if there was a package from our  friend Dianne Villano.  Behold, there were three packages!  Two were for kids and another had writing pads and pens!

 

Seeing this, I took the notepads outside and asked the kids to follow me.  The yelling continued inside, but I ignored it.  Waiting for all the kids to follow me I sat down on the patio and began writing the ABCs on the pads.  All Iraqi kids begin to take English Lessons at a relatively early age so all of them either need practice on their ABCs but if you can imagine even pens and paper are very hard to come by in the rural areas in which we work.

 

To make a long story, short, a simple thing like pens and paper helped me to diffuse a very tense situation.    By the end of the day, all was fine in this little village because of three packages we received from Tampa Bay.

 

Your packages really helped the Marines look good on a very bad day in Iraq.

 

I will send photos in the next email when I have a better email connection.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Semper Fidelis,

Capt Bill Matory

Date: 

June 6, 2008 7:48:50 PM CDT

Subject: 

Major Bourland Is On A Roll.. 2/24 checking in 

We have been conducting several operations in the area. Badguys, unm you should find a new profession because your days are numbered, no really you should head for the mountains. Maybe Afghanistan?? They have mountains there. I'll put in a good word for you with a couple hundred of my close Marine buddies there. 

 

Last week there we were on a patrol, following some warm foot prints on the trail, sweat salt in the eyes, body armor pulling at your muscles in your back, thin layer of dirt covering all of your exposed skin and we got a nice calling card from Mr Scumbag. A nice IED that scratched our truck. OK maybe a bit more than scratched but every one was good to go but pissed. Not the kind of pissed when you step in a pile dog shit that your neighbors dog left but the "I'm gonna enjoy gutting you boy"

(From the Movie - The Rock)

kind of pissed, with an evil smile. I'm sure Mr Scum bag got a cheap ass chuckle from watching a black cloud engulf the armored truck but I bet he wasn't laughing when the attack helos showed up. What? Ahhhh you didn't like that so much my little scumbag buddy? Meet Mr Hellfire rocket. That's right you got a couple thousand dollars of hate and discontent filled with military grade explosive pointed at you. Oh look at that we have 8 rockets in the air today. Yes, those are the really big ones that are laser guided and very distinctive when hauling through the sky at you. Now you have met the "dirt people", some call us Marines. Choose whatever word you like, just remember we look good in our uniform and we'll kick you ass too!

 

A couple of my Marines shoot the shit with me as the normal duties of the day pass as we bare the 112 temps. You know the kind of guys that would wreck their dads car and try to fix it themselves or the ones that think everyone has gun racks in their truck at home. (What, you don't?)Yes,  and of course the ones who you glance at real quick and they hit you with this shit eating grin that says , "I didn't do it".  You know they are up to something but its probably better if you don't know. These are the early 20 year olds I would take a bullet for, no doubt.

 

Here in Iraq they are the glue that holds the villages together, the kindness that brings medical attention and the ones that breathe fire when you try to blow them up. Back in the states they are the kid that you know that lived next door but lost track of, "little billy?" that use to bag your groceries and the brother or dad you know like the back of your hand.  Yes, where do we get these guys I ask myself as we clear/search 15 football size blocks of potential bad guys in overflowing sewer areas, mount up and conduct vehicle check points with a smile.

 

Don't worry for a second about them getting attacked. Are they protected?  yes. Are they trained? hell yes! do they take the fight to the enemy?  well I wish you could ask the enemy on that one. We often do the job of several with only seven, but they are a magnificent seven! Semper Fidelis.

 

THANK ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO SEND US CARE PKGS AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE JUST BEEN ADDED TO THIS EMAIL LIST. EVERY TIME OUR SEMI-WEEKLY MAIL RUN ARIVES THE MARINES GROUP AROUND LIKE ITS CHRISTMAS-THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THEM ALOT OF COMFORT-SEMPER FI