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What We Heard From Our
Troops
379th EAMXS/745 AMU (somewhere over there in the sand):
Josh
Caron with Model and Sports Show Host Leann Tweeden
What follows are a series of
emails and telephone calls Ron and Aris Caron received
from their son, Josh. It’s fun to follow along as the
boxes arrived from OSOT!
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November 27, 2004
Well, I received the first box from OSOT
today. It was a case of caramel corn with
peanuts packaged by a boy scout troop. People are already
digging in. Well, I have to get back to
work. It was good talking to y’all
yesterday. Love ya
bunches.
Josh
December 2, 2004
6 more packages today! More caramel corn,
the case of playing cards, and 4 boxes of
snacks! Everyone is in awe of how much
stuff I am getting. The say
Y’all should
change the name to Operation make our troops
Fat! Just kidding, all of the items have
been gratefully appreciated.
Josh
December 8, 2004
Phone Call
Josh said he has received about 15 boxes
now. The guys really appreciate all that
has been sent and said they want to go with
Josh on the next deployment too! Big thank
you! When they ask where this stuff is
coming from he shows/gives them one of the
warrior letters. He has been staggering
opening the boxes, one a day to spread the
enjoyment.
The box of decorations and 2nd stockings
arrived, but no tree yet.
For future reference don't put tuna cans in
with cookies, they roll around and smash all
the Oreos, etc. People were snatching up
the tuna and top ramen. The biggest hit is
Starbucks coffee! They love it and call it
REAL COFFEE! (Josh isn't a coffee drinker.)
He said he wasn't sure how they grind the
coffee beans but somehow are managing. I
asked him to get a picture of the guys
holding up the Starbucks bag for PR.
Thanks again for including him in this
seasons pack out.
Aris (Josh’s Mom)
December 11, 2004
The box from OSOT
arrived yesterday with the wrapped presents
in it, but still no sign of the tree. Maybe
it will be in the mail today. The other
night we were out playing cards, and I
brought out the tub 'o' nibblings you sent.
Everyone loved them and said to tell you
thanks. I have heard from a few people now
that they need to get on every deployment I
go on. My truck driver told me I was the
worst thing that could have happened to this
deployment. Everyone comes to the desert to
go to the gym and get back in shape, but I
keep them in a steady supply of candies.
Thanks so much for all the support. I love
you all.
Josh
December 12, 2004
Well, the tree arrived today! I have it all
set up and decorated in the break room.
Everyone came in and started to help in the
set up and decoration. It brought a smile
to more than a few faces. I will bring the
box of presents in tomorrow and put them
under the tree. The package for the women
also came in. Mandy took it into the
women's restroom here at work and stocked it
up. I still have one more box of food that
I have yet to open. I have been trying my
hardest to spread them out so they last.
Everyone knows now what it means when they
see me carrying one of those huge packages
out of the mail room. They all follow me to
wherever I am going to open it and patiently
wait to get there turn at the goods.
Everyone always tells me that someone back
home must really love me. I tend to think
they are right. Well, I hear the roar of
some props calling my name.
Love
Josh
December 15, 2004
Hi all! Trust things are going well in WA!
Business as usual here in the dirt, but the
halfway point is just around the corner.
Christmas is sneaking up on us quick and
with the Tree all set up and presents below,
I thought it was time to really get everyone
in the holiday mood. I downloaded about 35
pages of Christmas Carols and spent a good 2
hours singing them the other night. After I
had sang a few, one of our engine troops
decided to pick up the soprano part for me.
Not too long after, we picked up a third and
had a soprano with 2 full range basses
belting out every song in the packet. Not
to toot our own horn or anything, but we
sounded pretty darn good. We received
numerous compliments and people were even
threatening to register me for Desert Idol,
(the base’s answer to American Idol). Yeah,
glad it’s too late for that. Not my cup of
soup.
Josh
December 26, 2004
Well, Santa Josh visited the squadron
yesterday and brought smiles to all. I
found it kind of humorous to see all of
these grown individuals who are supposed to
be all rough and tough, off fighting for our
country, playing with slide whistles and big
ole bouncy Balloons. For the rest of the
day, everywhere you went, you could
distinctly pick out someone trying to play a
little tune on their newly acquired
whistles. I was able to get a few pictures
for you. I will try to get this roll
finished off so I can get the camera back to
y’all. I was able to sing more Christmas
Carols with one of the engine troops. Felt
pretty good to sing again, especially at a
time like this. Well, duty calls, so back
to the flight line for me.
All my love,
Josh |
AUAB/AORCENTAF/CAOC/AMD
(Doha, Qatar):
A Co., 1-24 INF
(Stryker Brigade) (Mosul, Iraq):
SSG Mark Mulvaney and his Squad
(Mark is the soldier at the center
back with his sunglasses on.)
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December 20, 2004
Just a little note to say thank
you for the package of goodies
for me and my soldiers. Even
more than the package, thanks
for the support. I think that
means more than any care package
anyone could send. My name is
SFC Keith Eisenmenger. I am a
platoon sergeant in 1/24
Infantry stationed out of Ft
Lewis currently in Iraq. My
soldiers and I appreciate your
caring and gifts.
We wish the very best for you
and your families during this
holiday season.
Sincerely from Iraq
SFC Keith Eisenmenger
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639th QM CO (Iraq):
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December
21, 2004
Today was
a rough day for me. You see, my
youngest son (I have 4 children)
turns 6 tomorrow, & on the 3rd I
will have been gone for 1 year.
I have been thinking about all
that I have missed in my
children's lives over the past
year, & I still have at least 4
more mos. before I am home.
However my
day was made a little brighter,
an unexpected & much needed &
appreciated packages arrived,
with my name on it. Thank you so
much. Me & the other girls in my
company had such fun going
through the box & picking out
what we most needed, there was
lots of giggling when some of
the guys in our company came in
my office & got all embarrassed
by a the "feminine" products on
display, so we tossed one of
them a box of tampons & he
quickly put it down & they all
made a hasty retreat from the
estrogen filled room. Which made
all of us girls giggle even
more.
It is the
little things in life, like
laughter, & unexpected packages
that help us all to get through
this long deployment, away from
family & friends.
Thank you,
God bless,
Becky
Belstad
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December 9, 2004
OSOT:
WE ALL
THANK YOU, FROM THE BOTTOM
OF OUR HEARTS.
Today,
after several days of
organizing, we distributed
all the letters, and boxes
of joy that you sent us to
show your deepest love for
the Montana National Guard
soldiers.
It was
interesting to watch the
soldiers. We first started
the day gathering the
remainder of our company
(many soldiers are stationed
other places than here at
Tallil AB) for a “Christmas”
photo shoot. Once the
picture taking concluded,
several of our lady soldiers
had gathered all the
stocking and loads of treats
outside in front of one of
our HUMMVs’
They
brought a Christmas tree
(minus the decorations), and
displayed the mounds of
stockings, letters and extra
goodies. I watched each
soldier being called out to
come forward to receive
their individual stocking
(many also prepared by our
family support group in
Montana). I couldn’t help
but notice the surprise as
many of them opened there
gifts. Some of the soldiers
just cuddled the stocking,
saving it until later. Some
of the soldiers were
laughing and having a good
time seeing their fellow
friends receive their gifts
too, but I can tell you
EVERYONE enjoyed getting a
piece of home.
We all
can’t say enough to ALL of
those who took the time to
coordinate, purchase, and
assemble all the items you
sent. Receiving these
stockings and goodies really
made several soldiers
experience a sense of pride
in their Country for the
ENORMOUS GRATITUDE for our
jobs here in Iraq.
Here
is a little about us: Our
unit is based out of
Kalispell, Montana. During
our painstaking assembly of
organizing a full company,
we found ourselves sharing
stories with soldiers that
have come together from
across the entire state of
Montana. This was the first
time for this amount of
soldiers, within one
company, to be joined to
form a Quartermaster Unit.
We
have been in the southern
area of Iraq, since our
deployment. Many of us have
been separated from the main
body of the company for days
or even many months. Most
of us have been back to the
air base for “refueling or
refreshing break” from the
outlining areas. Some of
our duties are “gas station
attendants”;
“water-boy/girl”;
“warehouse personnel”;
“NASCAR pit crews” (for the
inbound company convoys).
I have renamed many of our
duties, but if someone who
knows what I am saying they
can translate for me.
We all
are HIGHLY recommended for
jobs EXTREMELY WELL DONE
from our higher headquarters
officers and soldiers. I
must say that we have
consistently been the GO TO
COMPANY. Most of this is to
the TOTAL CREDIT to each and
everyone’s family
upbringing. It has always
been said that Montanans
bring an OUTSTANDING work
ethic and a STRONG sense of
pride in MISSION SUCCESS.
So if you are the proud
owner of one of these
boys/girls, you have a lot
to hold your head up for.
Even
though, few of us are
“battle harden” or “combat,
fighting soldiers” (from
seeing the fearless fight
that goes on in many of the
cities) we all have a HUGE
FEELING OF PRIDE FOR THE JOB
THAT WE ARE DOING IS KEEPING
THESE SOLDIERS SUPPLIED WITH
FUEL, WATER AND SUPPLIES.
I am
sure that there are many
organizations to thank, but
today I am sending my thanks
and prayers to the people
(yes the little people too)
that helped put these
letters, care packages and
stockings together. I THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
When I
return home, I hope to see
unfamiliar faces approach me
and thank me for my
service. But I would like
to return my thanks to them
for there support during our
time here in Iraq. You all
are very thoughtful and
loving in sending your gifts
to my fellow soldiers and
I. If you ever see me
delivering beer, with FUN
BEVERAGE Inc., stop me and
please let me shake your
hand for your work, and your
support.
SSG
COWDEN, Kenneth
639th
QM Company
Tallil
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C. CO 1-153d /TF
1/9 CAV (Baghdad, Iraq):
2nd Platoon, 654th
ASG, A Co. Hold (Iraq):
1/4 C Co. Wpns.
Plt. (Iraq):
2d Force Recon Co.
(Fwd) (Iraq):
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January 9, 2005
Hello,
My name is Ed Walsh,
I'm an active duty Marine deployed to Iraq
and I've had the distinct pleasure of
receiving some amazing support from the OSOT
program. Although there are no words that
could ever thank the great folks associated
with OSOT, I hope you realize that you've
done more for morale and for the Marines
than you'll ever know.
The support of the
American people, and great organizations
like OSOT, has been absolutely heartwarming
to me, and our Marines have been absolutely
amazed. I cannot thank you enough, for your
support, your kindness and for your
patriotism. I wish you all the best of
everything in the future, and I hope you'll
continue your amazing support to the other
men and women fighting in Iraq as you did
with us.
Thank you all, from
the Marines and Sailors of 2d Force Recon
Company!!
My warmest regards and
best wishes,
Gunnery Sgt. Ed Walsh,
USMC
2d Force Recon Company
Al Anbar Province,
Iraq |
HHC/1-5 CAV, 2 BDE,
1 CAV DIV (Iraq):
447 AEG/ELRS (Baghdad, Iraq):
1LT
Roy included Iraqi Dinars in his letter.
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January 2, 2005
Dear Sheryl,
I wanted to thank you and all
who helped you. I am one of the
5000 troops you were able to
touch this Christmas. The
stockings were adorable and
filled with great stuff! Thanks
so much to you, your
organization, and supporters for
everything you have done to add
a little light to our otherwise
drab and routine lives. Without
the generosity and caring of
people like you, our holidays
would have just been another
boring day.
I thank God every day that I
have been fortunate enough to be
in a particularly safe area.
But every day, I hear the
mortars and detonations in the
distance: a constant reminder
of the potential for danger that
exists around every corner. As
a female, it is even more
important to be wary as we have
a “bounty” on our heads for
would-be kidnappers. Though
what you see on TV is accurate
to the specific area, it is not
happening everywhere all the
time. The insurgents are
getting very innovative in their
methods, but the average local
wants his freedom, and all of
the Iraqis I have met are happy
we are here and helping them.
Our holidays weren’t as boring
and drab as you might imagine.
With all of the donations we
have received, everyone received
a wrapped present and most also
received a handmade stocking,
either from your organization or
from another generous person.
Our colonel and two specially
selected “elves” went from shop
to shop on Christmas Eve and
Christmas morning personally
handing out the presents. For
those who were missed, the rest
of the presents were left under
the Group tree for later
distribution. Several of us
went Christmas caroling, and
then we had Casino Night games
to finish off our special day.
Once again, thank you for
everything you have done and
continue to do for the deployed
troops.
May God bless you all in the
coming year!
TSgt Kim Karolchyk
447 AEG Command Post
Camp Sather, Baghdad, Iraq
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391st Military
Police Battalion (Abu Ghraib Prison, Iraq):
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December 5, 2004
Ms. Gulit:
Thanks for the Christmas
packages for the 391 MP here at
Abu Ghraib. I have been
surprised by all the mail that
the troops have been receiving.
We are planning to have a
Christmas Celebration in the
Chapel (which is a former bombed
out cafeteria) in the prison
living area.
Once again I would like to say
thank you, from all my troops.
They are working hard and will
appreciate the nice surprise.
We appreciate everything your
organization has done for us.
Brian P. Shirey
CPT MP
391st MP BN
Abu Ghraib, Iraq
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P Battery, 5/14.,
4th LAAD BN, MWSG-37 (Iraq):
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December
21, 2004
Sheryl,
On behalf
of "P" Battery, 5th Battalion,
14th Marines out of Spokane, WA,
I would like to thank you and
your organization, Operation
Support Our Troops, for adopting
my son's unit for Christmas.
Greg received the many boxes of
goodies and distributed it to
everyone in his unit. He said
all were very appreciative of
the support from back home and
asked me to pass on the thanks
of everyone from Papa Battery.
Thank you
again for your wonderful
organization.
Bonnie
Lindner
Proud
Mother of
PFC
Gregory W. Lindner, USMC
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2/5 WPNS. CO. W5 (Ramadi,
Iraq):
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December
21, 2004
Well,
where to start off, first I just
want to say thank you for
everything that you all have
done for myself and the Marines
that are over here with me. It
makes the days go by so much
better when we receive letters
or packages from home. If
there’s anyone that you know of
that has sent something to us,
please let them know, from all
of us here in Ramadi, Iraq, we
say thank you. I will try and
stay in touch with you even when
I have returned home safe and
back in the arms of my loved
ones. If there’s anything I can
do for you ,just let me know. I
don’t know if I can visit you,
cause I'm from Oklahoma, but if
you’re in my area, then I will
make the attempt. As for now I
have to go, but from the bottom
of my heart I THANK YOU!!
Lots of
Love
Lcpl Bryan
Stoll
January 2,
2005
Hey there,
just got a chance to get on a
computer and maybe write some
people that care for the ones
who are far away. Just wanna
wish you all a happy new year
and hope that you enjoyed your
X-mas. Sorry this so short, but
I guess I don’t have much time
and I have a few more people to
write. Again thank you for
everything you do from all of us
here in Ramadi.
Lots of
Love
Bryan
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1st. MED FRSS1/STP2/SSTP
(Iraq):
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December 22, 2004
Sheryl:
I just wanted to email you and let you know
my brother Ira's unit got their stockings
today from OSOT. He called and there must
of been a dozen heroes yelling thank you
into the phone. Just like a bunch of kids.
You have not just touched the heart of a
sister in La Center, Washington, you have
touched the heart of 45 heroes that needed
to know they were not forgotten. You, my
dear lady, will not be forgotten by a single
one of us. Thank you so much for everything
you have done for us. I am praying for all
of you up that way.
God bless them all.
Erica Westby
Proud Sister of
HM3 Ira Schaefer
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And we just wanted to finish off
with an email we received from Major Jordan Chroman. We
adopted Major Chroman’s unit of 700 – 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault) – last year for Christmas. This
is an email we received this year and we wanted to
share it with everyone. We found it amazing that even a
year later, what we did last Christmas is still having
an impact!
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December 13, 2004
Dear Friends,
It's mid-December
2005 and I am
fortunate to be
sitting in our
comfortable home,
safe and sound,
writing this note to
you. However,
during this holiday
season, my thoughts
continue to wander
to this same time
last year when
things were not
quite so
comfortable.
I wanted to take a
moment to thank you
again this year for
the tremendous
support you showed
my soldiers from the
101st Airborne
Division (Air
Assault) last year
while we were
serving in Iraq.
Your efforts to
bring some comfort
and happiness to
soldiers serving
half-a-world-away,
whom you'd never
met, will stick in
my memory forever as
the ultimate act of
good will and
holiday spirit, not
to mention
patriotism and
generosity.
I can't tell you how
grateful the
soldiers were last
year and how much
your caring and
support meant to
them and to me.
Please know that
this year and every
year from now on I
will remember you
and your efforts on
our behalf.
Just to catch you up
on my situation, my
unit returned to
Fort Campbell,
Kentucky from Iraq
at the end of
February 2004. I
was selected to
serve as an Exchange
Officer with the
British Ministry of
Defense and in June
2004 we moved to
Oxfordshire,
England. We are the
only Americans in
our area and the job
and people I work
with are great. My
family is really
enjoying the
experience and we've
been taking in the
sights and scenery
of the UK in our
spare time. As an
added bonus I was
selected for
promotion to
Lieutenant Colonel
and will be promoted
on 1 January 2005.
Please forgive my
ramblings but I just
felt it was
important to let you
know that I
appreciated you
then, I appreciate
you now, and will
never forget your
efforts last year.
I wish you, your
family, and friends
a wonderful holiday
season, and a new
year filled with
health and
happiness.
Your friend,
Major Jordan Chroman
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HHC 1-5 IN BN, 1/25 ID:
2nd Battalion, 8th
Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry (SBCT):
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