LETTERS FROM OUR TROOPS
To: OperationSam@comcast.net
Subject: Thanks from Major Tom Lafleur
Date: Sun, 9 Sep 2007 07:04:36 +0000
Greetings!
I was the recipient of one of your care packages last week and I wanted to send you a short note of thanks. The funny thing about being away from home is that you are often reminded of the things that really matter to you through seemingly unrelated everyday items. Take your package for example. When I saw the Clif bar, I was reminded of climbing while in Grad School and how much fun that was for me and my older son Thayer. When I saw the South Beach Diet peanut butter bars, I thought of the cereal my wife Madeline used to buy for me. When I saw the picture on the cheez-its package (Shreck), I thought of my little boy Sam and how much he loves Pixar films. My family was in that box, and for that I want to thank you.
Thanks for taking the time, money, and all the care to put these packages together.
Know that the military of the United States belongs to you just like the police, firefighters, and teachers; we serve our nation and the constitution upon which it was founded, and we do it gladly, despite the hardships, because we believe that we protect that which matters most; freedom.
All the best,
Tom
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Subject: Operation SAM Package
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2008 12:04:11 +0000
Dear Operation SAM,
Just a note to say "Thank You" for your efforts. It seems one of you packages made it's way into one of the offices I now use here at the Baghdad International Airport with the US Air Force. It's an older package, maybe from the holidays a year or so ago but the items in it and the letter of support attached to it are still time worthy for me to note and let you know that your efforts are appreciated by us over here in Iraq.
Please also note that there was a hand drawn card from an "Austin" from Dallas Christian school -please tell Austin (if you know the child) that we appreciate the note and the prayers.
Give our thanks to your group there in Livermore, your efforts are certainly appreciated.
V/R Warren Johnson, MSgt, USAF
Unit Deployment Manager
Morning Operation:S.A.M.,
I have to share with you that when I saw Adam this
past week he showed me a blanket that someone from Op
Sam sent to him that he used the whole time he was in
Iraq. He said that it was his security blanket and it
came in handy on more than one occasion to keep him
warm. He said that it had never been washed.
We will keep that blanket in our family for a long
time to come so that we never forget how our acts of
kindness help others in ways that we may never know.
Many Blessings,
Melissa
From: "Krumenacker Capt Paul A (AAMNF 4th Tank BN, Platoon CMDR)"
Dear Virginia ("Livermore Granny") and friends at Operation Sam,
Wow!... First, my troops and I would like to thank you. You have
humbled us with your incredible generosity and kindness. We were
overwhelmed when we received your package. Your letter and all items you
sent were very thoughtful and appreciated. They have helped us endure
the long missions and made us feel that much closer to home when got
them. You have made a bunch of Marines very, very happy. We have all
been enjoying the things you sent. Yes, we are sharing, with each other.
It makes our job so much more rewarding and easier when we know
we have the backing of the people back home.
Here is a power point of some photos of our platoon. We had some
fun with some of the Christmas things that were sent to us from home.
We are currently on an extended patrol (45+) days, where the
stuff you sent will come in very handy. (I will respond to any e-mail
correspondence when we return from the desert in mid January.) I am at
the FOB on a maintenance pause and am able to send this out.
When we are on patrol we take great pleasure when we are able to
take a pause in our offensive operations. During these times we walk
along side of our tanks and interact with the people. They all seem to
love the tanks, especially the children. When we go through the town
they all come out to look, wave and say hello. That's when we share with
them some of the things you sent. They seem to enjoy the treats a great
deal.
We are a U.S. Marine combat battle tank platoon. We operate in
the M-1A1 Abrams main battle tank. The platoon is currently executing
missions in Iraq. For some of us this is our first time here but, for
most of us this is our second and even third deployment for Operation
Iraqi Freedom in support of the war against terrorism. We are very proud
to be here and happy to serve our country and the good people like
yourselves. As Marines we have some big shoes to fill and are trying to
uphold the traditions of The Corps and continue to bring honor to the
Marine name. We understand freedom isn't free and are here to defend it
wherever it is threatened.
Most of the men from our unit are from California and have heard
of the "Wine Country in Livermore"
Take heart that your generosity and good will have gone much
appreciated and are being put to good use. Your efforts helped motivate
us and reinstall the good faith in the Iraqi people. Make no mistake, we
are winning this war and making further progress everyday. Your efforts
were extremely generous and selfless and helped us on the road to
victory. Thank you once again, we appreciate your support.
Semper Fi
Capt Paul Krumenacker. USMC