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July 27, 2008
It really is "a small world!"
I recently responded to a request from a member of our troops
This is my letter to him and his response:
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2008 4:44 AM
Dear Col. Pavey,
I am a member of the American Warrior Support Group (my co-chair is
Debbie Miles), American Legion Post 259, Paradise, CA and Debbie is a
member of the Auxiliary Unit 259. The legion and the auxiliary support
our group; we do give presentations to organizations in order to raise
money for this project and postage. Debbie and I send pocket flags in
the very first care packages we send to our troops; these pocket flags
are made by the women in the auxiliary. The troops to whom we send
packages do not have to be from California but needs to have relatives
who live in Paradise or Magalia (Debbie lives there). To date we have
sent packages to 40+ military over the past 4 years and love every
minute of it. When they return home, we finally get to meet them, take
them out for lunch or dinner for their favorite food, and send them
home.
I keep in touch with the relatives once they come home to make sure they
are doing all right and do not need anything we might be able to provide
them.
Debbie's husband retired after 24 years in the military - part Army,
part Air Force and my husband and I were both Army during Korea. My
oldest son is in the Air Force at McChord and does the maintenance on
the C-17 hydraulic systems. He is a reservist but has extended several
times, the last time being just recently so he's been on active duty
about 4 years now. He was a Marine for 5 years as an MP and served in
Japan and Korea and wanted to change his MOS.
The American Legion Post 259 address is: P.O, Box 697, Paradise, CA
95967-0697.
God bless America. God bless us one and all. Bring them home safely to
their family and friends. We love'em all for they are my grandchildren's
future.
Bonnie Bryan
Col. Pavey's response:
Dear Bonnie;
Wow, how funny this is, in a way. I am deployed here to Iraq from
Washington where I am still the Operations Group Commander at McChord
AFB in the AF reserve at the 446 Airlift Wing.
http://www.446aw.afrc.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=10924 I
have probably been in the same room with your son several times.
Ironically, our unit here in Baghdad is one digit off (from 446
Operations Grp at McChord to 447 Air Expeditionary Group here) I flew
C-5 Galaxies at Travis AFB and ran the covnversion in the 301AS to
C-17s. Subsequently I have been flying the C-17 for about three years
and have been stationed at McChord since Jan of 07. Just happens to be
a coincidence. To boot, our DSN (Defense Switching Network) phone number
here just happpens to start with "446." Small world, huh?
http://www.sather.afnews.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080607-001.pdf
Its not that I'm a big deal in all this, I am just tickled that we are
all so interconnected.
To boot, my wife Shawna, is the public affairs director for the Yuba
City PD right down the road from you, (I have been "commuting" when I
could from Washington to California.)
http://www.ycpd.org/index.cfm?navID=1024
I am aware of the severe fire damage that Paradise endured over these
past few weeks and I hope that your city has not taken too severe a
blow, I have been praying for relief from this damage to our community.
As to your flags.......I work out of a building called the Glass House,
(our name) which used to be Baathist Party private terminal for the
Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) We took it over in 2003. I even
passed through here several times five years ago when I flew in some of
the first C-5 Galaxy missions to Baghdad. Now I work out of the same
building. I've no idea when your flags were here or how many you sent;
I can say that there were about half a dozen and we have been giving
them out as someone takes an interest in them. I keep one in my
backpack in a side pocket. Speakiing of which, makes me think of
something.....we fly flags outside our buildings frequently to honor
families back home at the request of loved ones. Give me a significant
date between now and the December (that's how long I'm here for) and
I'll fly it here for you.
At any rate, I have to get ready for chapel here, (the chaplains are
GREAT here) I'll try to send you some pics later.
THANK YOU for your patriotism and concern for our troops!
DAVID P. PAVEY, Col, USAFR
May 26, 2008
My most recent letter from a real trooper:
"Hello Bonnie,
I will keep in touch with you as much as I can. I have a lot of training right now and I am schd. to hit ground in Kuwait around Sept. I will be in and out of Iraq due to our mission. Thank you for writing back and I will keep you in my prayers...
SGT Laura Jumpp
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
December 21, 2007
I thought you folks might like to read this from one of our troops in Iraq.
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
December 13, 2007
Thank you so very much, Rusty; that is a lovely card. I'm behind in getting my cards out. That's how busy I've been.
In about an hour Deb and I will be going to a convalescent hospital to speak to patients there about the American Warrior Support Group and what and how we do it. They will fill out Christmas cards for the wounded men who have come back from Iraq and Afghanistan and are in the naval hospital in San Diego.
Have a lovely holiday season and thanks for being my friend.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
______________________________________________________________
I just learned from Laura's aunt that Laura will be going to Iraq in March. She was in Afghanistan. Now we'll have two females in Iraq - Laura and Crystal.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
October 6, 2007
The first is a letter we received from one of our soldiers in Tikrit, Iraq (which is where we found that idiot in an underground hole). Dan is on his way home soon but I thought you just might appreciate the letter he sent; yes, we did send him care packages but the last two packages were sponsored by a church and the VFW - in other words, they paid the postage for all of the packages we mailed.
By the way, included in the packages were yo yo's which I understand from the relatives they loved them. The next packages going out next week will include marbles. Goodness knows there's enough sand to draw a huge circle should the "kids" want to draw a big one. Here is Dan's letter.
Thank you for the packages you sent. It's great to know people back home are thinking about us. It seems the war is unpopular back home, but no matter if you support the war or not - you should always support the sons and daughters of America who are doing a job that is neither fun or safe.
"I have been in Iraq for 15 months but I am no expert on Iraq or its' politics. I read about people condemning the war but I cannot help but laugh because these are the people we, as the American people, put in office, and I think that puts the blame on all our shoulders for the mess we are in here. We will not win this battle until America puts its' politics to the side and join together as a Christian America and fight this war to the end.
"I know there is a God because I pray to him every day and He has protected me for 15 months against radical Islamic fighters who wish nothing more than to kill Americans and make the world an Islamic state. The war of morals, values, and freedom is being fought here in Iraq by men and women who believe in God so that our sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers never have to live under the yoke of Islamic Ideals.
"This war will not be short and I pray America has the will to see it to the end."
" Thank you for your support. God bless all of you.
October 3, 2007
Joshua was in Iraq last year; now he's in Search & Rescue in Afghanistan. His grandmother called me this morning. He can't tell his mother where he is because of his job and needless to say she's scared spitless.
I had a telephone call yesterday that one of our snipers who has come home has been awarded the Bronze Star for heroism and metorious service. He's up in northern California with his wife and new baby - I say new to him as the baby was born just before he went to Iraq.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
August 20, 2007
Sorry I haven't written sooner but have been busy. With what you ask? Well, I'm just the person to let you know.
1) I've been working on my 3rd manuscript - proofreading it, highlighting the communities my brother-in-law was in with his tank battalion, checking on the maps to locate the towns, villages, etc., which is quite a challenge in itself. The reason why? Ernie could mention a town 5 times and it would be spelled sometimes 5 different ways. Thank goodness I have a friend in France. I send her an email and ask her which one is the correct spelling.
2) Been preparing for the American Legion Auxiliary Craft Sale which was this past weekend. Saturday was really slow so I took my quilting and when I got tired of that, had my trusty book to read - "Blind Man's Bluff" about submarines and espionage. Good reading.
3) Sunday was a lot better. Met grandparents whose grandsons were heading off to Iraq - one in November, one in February. Met a young man who had been there before and he's leaving for Iraq, also in February. Got the address of a young lady in Baghdad who is a helicopter mechanic so I'll write her an introductory letter tomorrow. She won't need too much as she's on a base but PFCs don't really make that much money so I'm sure she'll appreciate what we send.
Now have two churches who are providing some financial support, some for postage, some for items.
Debbie had her own table as she made very cute hats and some lady in Seattle sent her teddy bears she had made to split the money. Unfortunately, she only sold one of the hats and none of the bears although she had a jar for troop support. I had my own tables with the poster boards of Iraq and Afghanistan the soldiers have sent us and my notebook since I am more or less the secretary for the American Warrior Support Group. Between the two of us we made a total of $116.
The packages we sent in August to the troops I had included a letter that these boxes were sponsored by Our God Lutheran Church and included a thank you card with the church's address on the envelope so hopefully some of the notes will be received by the church members.
So today I'm tired. Did my run around chores first thing, came home, cleaned my home, and washed my car. Now I can relax. Good night all.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
July 19, 2007
82nd Airborne Paratrooper handing a humanitarian ration to a young Iraqi man
in central Iraq. That young 82nd Paratrooper is Steven R. to whom we
are sending care packages. This was on his "first" tour of duty in Iraq.
He's presently serving his "third" tour. Well, not right at this moment; he's with his wife in Georgia on a two week leave. This information is
courtesy of his mother, Cindy.
July 17, 2007
Recent Updates:
Some of the relatives I haven't heard from yet. Grandparents of Chris
said that he was to go aboard the USS Nimitz off San Diego but at the
last minute the commander changed his orders. He did so well at search &
rescue that he is going to Kuwait to be a corpsman aboard one of the C-17
cargo planes that has been converted to an ambulance plane. He will be
assisting injured personnel to Germany and then on to the US.
Grandmother of Joshua reports he has re-enlisted, home for leave from Iraq & will be leaving for Afghanistan next month. Her son will be leaving in Sept. for
Iraq. We'll get their new addresses after they arrive at their locations.
Aunt of Laura states that Laura is now in San Diego with the National
Guard and the next time she's home we'll all go out to lunch.
Mother of William reports he should be home in September. She'll be going
to Germany where he is being discharged presently. She'll help her
William's wife and infant son return to the states. Sandra is German and
looking forward to becoming an American citizen.
Parents of Steven is home on a 2-week leave with his wife in Georgia and
then returns to Iraq. He is Sgt. fire team leader and is in the Triangle
of Death southwest of Baghdad. This is his 3rd tour and says that this
one is the worst.
Uncle of Dan was by yesterday with a donation for the troop fund and
purchased a copy of my book. He's been one of our best supporters. Dan is
an MP with a squad of 4 men with him.
Grandmother of Joshua reports he should be arriving in Virginia just
about any day. She doesn't know if he re-enlisted or not. We had already
been notified not to send any further care packages.
Friend of Michael states he is doing fine and his tour has been extended
to December.
As of this message, father of Ben has not returned my call yet.
Joshua's mother has not returned my call yet. There is at least one more
Joshua to come.
Kirk - his father has not returned my call yet.
Mother of John states he was on a mission, received a piece of shrapnel
in his butt, picked it out and kept on going.
The last two, Kirk and John, are in Afghanistan; the rest are in Iraq.
Pending future personnel: - Joshua will be leaving the 4th of August to
Al Basrah near Kuwait. We don't usually meet the soldiers until after
they've served but he came to meet me last week. Nice young man. He's a
mechanic and will be driving all the way north to Mosul to work on broken
down vehicles and those that have been hit by IEDs.
We have telephone numbers of several parents whose sons and daughters
will be heading for the "sand boxes" but do not have any idea as to when
they leave but think it will be late in the fall.
I've met the parents of their son who is in the Air Force and is
presently in Alaska and their daughter, in the Army, is in Virginia. They
are not sure as of yet where they go next. I'm adding them as a "just in
case".
One of our supporters called me, had me go to his video store and picked
up a box of 200 DVDs to send. The last time it was 158 so now we can add
a few more in each box. A church gave us a $200 donation toward postage.
Sunday we went to Chico to find some of the items we needed for the
troops and had a delightful time. Then we went over to her brother's
garage where we have the supplies stored and spent all afternoon packing
them up, sending out 9 boxes Monday. We have a friendly competition with
another woman mailing packages overseas. The poundage to beat is 20 lbs
and thus far our heaviest has been 18 lbs.
So there's the update. Some of the relatives I haven't heard from might
be on vacation.
Take care, all.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
July 14, 2007
Note From Bonnie:
A young soldier was just by my home to meet me. He is friends with one of my neighbor's daughters. Joshua leaves 8/4 for Al Basrah, Iraq near Kuwait. He was telling me it was 140 degrees there right now. He's a mechanic and will be on recovery missions up the entire country retrieving vehicles hit by IEDs for repair. Sounds dam__d dangerous to me. His birthday is 9/11 which sounded like a kick in the butt. He'll be e-mailing his address to me as soon as he knows what it will be.
Another handsome youngster in his sharp beret.
Well, that's all the news. He'll miss this month's care package but he'll get one in August and that one will probably contain his birthday present as well.
Take care, all.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
June 26, 2007
Note From Bonnie:
We had a lovely luncheon. He looked so smart in his uniform. Very tall, very thin, very young, and very handsome. He was shot in the back by "friendly fire" and has a limp now. Mike and Deb showed up late for lunch but we had a wonderful time together. Donovan has a lovely sense of humor considering all he's been through. Mike and Donovan had a great time
talking about old weapons as well as some of the newer ones. I showed him my "historical" notebook that I'm keeping on the guys we send care
packages to and he was delighted with it. He gave me one of him to put into the notebook.
After lunch I took him up to Feather River Hospital to meet his mom and dad. I'd talked to them on the telephone every month over the months to
make sure Donovan was doing all right. Even got to give a 5-second spiel about what the American Warrior Support Group does.
Donovan said it was wonderful to know that there are people here at home the fellows have never met who care enough to send packages to them. Every time a package is received the morale goes up so much.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
June 25, 2007
Note From Bonnie:
Tomorrow Debbie and I are having lunch with one of our soldiers, Donovan,who has arrived home from Afghanistan; he's all of 21. He's so happy to
be home as I'm sure his parents are as well. He said the care packages made the day for all in his unit and they all gathered around him when he received his like bees near a beehive. Needless to say we're excited.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
February 27, 2007
Note From Bonnie:
Jessica was not one of ours (Paradise, CA), so to speak. Her father lives in Magalia. The Patriot Guard protected their grief from any possible rabble rousers and they made it a beautiful sight. They led the hearst and mourners to the cemetery and then lined the walkway for them to walk to the area where Jessica's ashes were to be interred. Then they encircled the area with their big flags blowing in the wind where the family was seated. The ceremony was short and the honor guard was on guard with their weapons for the 21-gun salute. The flag was presented to her 9-year-old son.
The ladies representing the Auxiliary were Debbie, Rae Marie, and Dee Parkhurst. I represented the American Legion.
None of us knew Jessica. She was in Iraq prior to Deb and me doing the care packages. She had returned, gone on vacation and was killed in a head-on collision in Colorado when returning to her National Guard unit in New Mexico.
Afterwards, we invited the Patriot Guard to the hall for sandwiches, coffee, and soup as it had been a cold and blustery day. Some of the motorcyclists had come from as far away as Redding, Concord, Davis, and of course, a few from Magalia. Mike headed the guard. Some of them said that even in a big city they didn't get a meal and they would return anytime they were called upon. When Mike joined late last year there were only 35,000 Patriot Guards nationwide. At last count there were over
85,000 not too long ago.
Although it was a sad time, the Patriot Guard was beautiful in their respect for a fallen soldier and the big flags flying. Jessica's father is 100% disabled, could not afford to have her cremated or for the urn
interment so the American Legion, DAV, and VFW contributed to it and everything was paid for him. We do take care of our own when the need arises.
I hope everyone is well. Today it sleeted, hailed, rained and wind is still blustering around - gusting up to 50 mph.
Just wanted to share this wonderful experience with you - it was my first "Patriot Guard" attendance and it was awesome!
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
Note From Bonnie:
January 27, 2007
We don't usually find out what happens to "our" men and women when they return home from Iraq. I went down this morning to pick up some photos of Iraq and one of "our" men in Iraq - 82nd Airborne Div., and met up with a young lady who told me she had a friend in Iraq last year. I asked his name and it was Bobby R. I told her we had sent him care packages and said he had told her about receiving them.
I came home and immediately called his grandmother. She said all of his unit except for 3 men are now in Japan. Bobby was sent to Virginia for two weeks for radiation training and is now on one of the islands off San Diego and would rather be in Iraq. He hates it there. There are only about 300 people on this island and there is nothing for them to do.
It was very exciting to find out where one of them is now out of harm's way. I told the young lady the next time she writes him, to tell him the American Warrior Support Group said hello. Said she would.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
(Email to Bonnie From One Of The Troops)
January 8, 2007
From:
Thank you for the boxes and support you have given us. I did recieve the december box. Everyone enjoyed the contexts.I Will take the pics and then get them back
to you when I return. That is the other reason i am writing you. I have been told that we are getting to the time when we are too close to going home to get packages. If you have sent out a box for Jan. or it is going in the mail before the 10th of Jan. 2007 then it will make it to me before I leave. If not then please send the iteams to another service member that might use them.
Thanks for all your support while I was here and will come see you when I get home to california on leave. Thanks again
William Z.
December 21, 2006
I thought you folks might like to see this message from one of our warriors. We now know that two of them have received their Christmas packages. Bonnie
----- Forwarded Message -----
Hi Bonnie: I cant remember if I got a chance to email you to say thanks for the DVDs and the treats…..a few of us haven't seen the Ring 2 so it was an awsome choice to send thank you so much for your generosity we appreciate it especially now for the holiday season.
SSgt Martin C.
This is a photograph of our young lady in Afghanistan - isn't she a
beaut! I love that smile of hers.
[email to Bonnie from Laura]
Laura"
December 10, 2006
Deb and I went to the Masonic Lodge this morning to help get the donations delivered to her brother's home. It took the back end of a pickup truck and the back end of an SUV. We stayed to begin sorting everything. You should have seen the beef jerky, hot chocolate, coffee,
puzzles, 3 boxes of hard candies, about 8 cartons of ramen soup, a box and two tins of cookies, many, many packages of Kleenex in small individual packages, lip stuff for chapped lips, socks, socks, and more socks, special things for the young ladies, toothbrushes, toothpaste,deodorant, special packages of items we'll use as birthday gifts for each individual soldier, teas, nuts of all kinds, including cashews, DVDs,books for reading, and I can't remember anything else at the moment. Everything we had on our list to buy next week at Beale AFB we received including telephone cards. It was absolutely amazing and beautiful! Chuck, the Master of the Lodge, said it was the best Christmas they had
ever had and will do it again next year. AWESOME!
By then we were starved so we went to eat - bowl of soup and 1/2 BLT sandwich. While at the same restaurant, I "stole" some more of the jams and jellies. Now instead of 3 or 4 each, each soldier will get 5 or 6. We had a different waitress but saw the one we usually get and I told her what I had done. She said, "Good Job"! And that's why Deb and I say, "we beg, borrow, purchase, and 'almost' steal"!
And there you have it - success at its finest!
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
December 9, 2006
You would never believe the things collected for Deb and I to send the troops. There were 5 tables 6' long each absolutely loaded with boxes of soups, coffee, teas, hard candies, socks and many, many other items that
the senior citizens and parents of troops we support brought. One set of parents also brought two bags of things for us to send their son giving
us his name and address. Two sets of parents also brought in their sons' photos for our book that we are keeping up on all our activities. And when those tables were filled, they put them on the floor in front of the
tables. It was unbelievable!
We ended up making $377 in cash donations to help with the cost of mailing. Today was also the American Legion and Auxiliary Christmas party and Deb had made donation envelopes instead of exchanging a $5 gift. When
we left there at 3:30 (Mike works tonight so Deb had to get home to fix his dinner) a portion of that $377 also came from those two groups. Not all of the envelopes had been used so one of our volunteers said she'd
collect them for us. Deb has received another $25 which she forgot to bring with her and not counted in the above stated sum of money. I'm also expecting a check from one of my volunteers.
I had taken the notebook with us and we got another name of a second soldier in Iraq (as is the first one). The generosity of these folks up here is something else. I'm amazed.
Two men are coming to the lodge tomorrow morning. Deb and I will meet them there so they can follow us to Deb's brother's home where we will then proceed to go through, separate, and prepare for mailing. Now that's
in addition to what we've been collecting all along.
It's raining like the dickens now and is supposed to last through Tuesday. We've had a beautiful display of lightning as well as rolling thunder. So it will be plenty cold in Al's garage. The wind is blowing so
hard I feel like the little piggy who had his house blown down by the whatever it was - a fox?
Hey Laura, we were told that FedEx is giving free postage to any package going to an APO address. The packages will be taken to where the plane leaves for Afghanistan and Iraq which is also free. Debbie has a niece that works for FedEx and will call her tonight to find if we can partake of this and how long it lasts. Have you heard anything about this? If not, you might check into it for your group over there.
Ronni, we need Laura's address. Deb and I have decided to try to send the guys and gals birthday cards and perhaps a package of their very own. Will you please e-mail me her address? Thank you. I wish you could have
been there to see what was donated. We did take photos and a writer from the Paradise Post was there as well. WOW!
Happy Holidays everyone.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
December 7, 2006
Jason came home from Iraq last month. I had invited him to our general meeting so he could meet a portion of the American Warrior Support Group. He showed up in his dress blues. Everyone shook his hand or gave him a
hug and welcomed him not only home but to our meeting. He sure is one handsome young man!
He did basically the same thing in Iraq that one of our other young MP squad is doing - remember the letter I sent you telling about his unit, young paratroopers, etc.? Our financial officer came home from Iraq last
year so now Jason knows he has someone he can associate with if he so desires.
I'm back into Bingo again only every other week. One of our faithfuls, Chuck, agreed to split the responsibilities with me and I found another
woman to share them with Debbie. Deb and I will still make sure we have the supplies and other items we need. When we returned 3 weeks ago to assist while the others were on vacation, the Bingo crowd was very happy
to have us back. Next Tuesday there will be Bingo but also the Christmas party which the players supply and is always wonderful. Jason will be there for that so he can meet more of the support group.
The ex-commander and his wife made up a wonderful display board of photographs taken in Iraq by one of the female helicopters who is now stationed in Alaska. They are beautiful photos and will be on display at the "community open house" Saturday at the Masonic Temple here in town.
One of the dispatchers at the Paradise Police Department has donated things for the troops and she placed a box in the officers' squad room so they can bring items as well. She'll call me when ready for us to pick up.
Deb and I are so very blessed. Oh yes, and if that isn't enough, Mike, Deb's husband, and I will begin to get together after the holidays and work on a book together about the 2006 Run For The Wall in pictures.
Well, I suppose that is all the news for now.
Take care.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
December 3, 2006
Deb and I went out shopping for the troops again. We have such fun together and always have at least one experience. Yesterday we had THREE!
First she calls me up and asks what I'm doing. I told her I was at a half cup of coffee and half a roll. She said she was at a half cup of coffee and half a donut. So then she asks, "Why don't we have breakfast. Mike is
sleeping." So she came and picked me up.
First we went to see Dean who has been a Bingo volunteer for at least 20 years. He had had a brain aneurysm a couple of weeks ago and his wife and children brought him home to die. I told him he was much more handsome
sitting at the table selling pull tabs than he was laying on his side snoring. His wife cracked up with laughter as did his sons and daughter.
I'm not sure this can be considered an adventure but it took us awhile to find their home, so I suppose it could be called one.
We had heard that in Afghanistan and Iraq it is very cold this time of year and would like to have hand warmers. We went to Paradise Surplus and they had 3 which we bought; they'll have more in a couple of weeks when we'll go back.
Then we went to breakfast at the Cozy Diner. I've been there before and I asked our waitress if the manager would get mad or have me arrested if I stole those packets of jams and jellies for our troops. She said she
wouldn't tell if I wouldn't and to put them in my purse, which I did! She remembered me from the last time I had come in and she had filled a sack for me.
Then Mike had heard that the soldiers in the country of sand and rock and little else are using Silly String to detect land mine trip wires. We went to several stores but no one had any until one lady in K-Mart said they had them on sale. We went up toward the clearance rack and they had two small boxes filled. I told Debbie to stand there and not let anyone take any. I headed to the front counter and asked the lady that I wanted to purchase the Silly String containers and how much would they sell them to me for after explaining what we wanted to do with them for our guys overseas. She got on the telephone and said the manager told her I could have them for $1 each! I motioned to Deb and motioned for her to bring the boxes. Told the lady behind the counter we'd take them all. A young lady, probably a high school student, came behind the counter and she was totally surprised what the Silly String could be used for. Then I said, "If one young soldier's life is saved by Silly String, then K-Mart could be very proud". You should have seen the looks and smiles on their faces.
We were tired by this time - we had left Dean's house about 11:30 and it was already after 5. Deb called to see if Mike was up as he had to go to work later; he was. When she told him what we'd purchased, his reply was, "HOLY SHIT! You two are dynamite!"
Consider I'd fallen two days before and my ankle was sprained, two big bruises and sores on my shin, and my hip hurting, did pretty good for an old toot!
So there you have our adventures. The Masonic Temple is holding a "community open house" for deliveries of needed items for the troops and want Deb and me there to answer questions. We have an unbelievable collage of photos from Iraq that Pete - the ex-American Legion commander, is giving us to use and keep for other "shows" and he's also giving us the CD with more pictures from Iraq on them. William, one of our guys in
Iraq, also sent us a CD with photos of his outfit on it and we included cameras in their Christmas package. William is married and has a 15-month-old son. I'm not sure we'll hear from Phillip for quite some time. He's in Afghanistan where they spend 3 months at a time out in the field. I talked to his mother night before last and he's been sent to upper Afghanistan near the Chinese border looking for you know who. Phillip's mother will let us have the name and address of another soldier
who is leaving for Iraq in February.
We just received a very nice note from our gal in Afghanistan - her second note to us - see this, Ronni? Ronni is Laura's Aunt.
We also have just received the name and address of another soldier (a Ranger) who is in the same location of our MP group. I sent him Dan's address so perhaps they can hook up. I had a package all set for my oldest son but sent it to Mike instead as my son is on leave for over a week. This Mike has a sister who is in the Merchant Marines. She got my name and telephone number from a Bingo volunteer. Jennifer is home on leave presently with a broken wrist and her ship is just off the coast of India. She goes back on board in February. Have another package almost ready to send my son when he returns to base. Mike is married and has a brand new infant daughter.
Deb's husband Mike knows one of the men in Iraq who was his superior when Mike was in the Air Force so they've e-mailed each other and his friend will look in on our guys when he can. Small world, eh?
Deb and I will be going to Beale AFB to shop for more troop supplies next week - after the 9th which is when the "community open house" will be held and we'll need to see what other items we need. That's where we purchased every Frisbee they had that we sent to Afghanistan for the guys there to teach the kids how to play with them. They give most of their candy to the kids; we've provided them with notebooks, note pads, tablets and pencils after they had built schools for the kids but didn't have any of those items. You see, you never hear on the news what good things are our guys are doing over there.
So there you have it. Do we lead exciting lives or not? Deb and I get to jacked up sometimes we can barely stand it!
I don't recall if I told you or not but All The Best Video store donated 158 DVDs to send to the troops. The first batch went out in the boxes for Christmas. Brad included a note which I really like "All the best to the
best of the best. We love and support our troops." In the same box went small pillows for when they go out into the field. They have to roll up something to place their heads upon. I got the Paradise Quilters to make
them for us. They are soft, squishy, and should fit nicely into their backpacks; we got 6 of the pillows into each box.
Well, as you can tell, I feel like I'm in hog heaven! Have finally found my niche it seems, especially when we get notes back from the troops how much they like what we send. I baked homemade fruit cakes this time and
soaked the fruit in brandy for 1-1/2 days. Debbie thought they would end up drunk until I told her the alcohol cooks away but gives added flavor to the cakes. So each of them had one in their package this time in
addition to all the other stuff. Gave her some of it and agreed that the cakes should make them feel more at home. We bought some tins to send them cookies next time.
And so it goes ...
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
November 14, 2006
We are having our craft and collectible sale this weekend. The VFW gave us the entire foyer as so many people have made a lot of donations. Every time we take in will go into the troop fund. Two of the things we include in our boxes to the troops is a pocket Bible and pocket flag. Deb came up with the idea of putting out one of Mike's boots and a boot of the father of one of our gals, and call it Pocket Change for Pocket Flags. We had it sitting on a table with a large poster board of photographs from different communities in Iraq and was able to give the gal in charge of getting the flags, folding them correctly and putting them into little
plastic bags $54 and change.
Deb, Mike and I spent all yesterday afternoon down at the hall looking at what had been donated, separating them and we'll go down again Friday to start setting up and pricing. You should see some of the beautiful baby
clothes that were donated and in great condition.
Between writing and being a part of the American Warrior Support Group, I think I have found my niche.
It's been raining for two days - not too hard - but plentiful. Monday I spent all day in my pjs. I have this quilt I made years ago and it's falling apart. I love it too much to part with it so spent all day making patches for the holes and worn out places. Still got plenty to make but I have my "blankie".
I finally got to meet one of our guys who returned after 2 tours in Iraq. I met his father some time ago but Josh came home for Thanksgiving. He's a nice young man and hugged me so tightly I thought my breath would give
out on me. He said how grateful they were to get our packages and anything they can't use they just pass down the line. I already knew that but it was nice to have him confirm it. I'll see him later in the week and have Deb come over to meet him.
Well, got lots to do so will sign off for now. Take care.
God bless America. God bless us one and all.
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