Letter 34
Saturday, January 12, 2008 @8:11am CST
























To the folks at WMBD 31 and FOX 43,

We recently received some stockings that you put together for us over Christmas.  Thank you for your support during this holiday season.  We appreciate all the goodies and warm thoughts you sent our way.  It means everything to us to know that we are on your minds and hearts back home. Thank you to all who were involved in making and sending these holiday care packages.

Attached is a photo you might like!

From the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines Detention
Collecting Point, Camp Fallujah, Iraq.





Letter 33
Saturday, January 5, 2008 @11:17am CST
Hello and Happy New Year!

I would like to thank Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines for all of their love, support, and concern over the past several months.  As our time here passes, all of us miss home and the ones we love that much more.  Add to this the holiday season which is a time that many of us see our families and friends more frequently, and feelings of loneliness and homesickness become even more prevalent.  The cards, letters, and presents sent by all of you worked wonders to help raise the spirits of all of us that are here in Iraq.

We are very fortunate to have so many people that care enough to take the time and effort to think of us while we are out here.  All of the Marines were surprised when they received stockings and that we also had a Christmas tree to enjoy.

It is incredible how much support we receive from back home.  We are truly grateful for your support not only during the holidays but throughout the year.  It's amazing how the little things always go a long way.  It is organizations and people like you that remind us why we do what we do. 

Thank you and God Bless,
GySgt Dave Melka
Marine Wing Communications Squadron 48
Great Lakes, IL


































Letter 32
Monday, December 31, 2007 @6:26pm CST



























On behalf of Alpha Company 3d Sustainment Battalion, 3d Sustainment Brigade FOB Q-West, Iraq
I would like to thank all of you, who who took the time out of your schedules to assemble the these fine holiday stockings. The Holiday season is most difficult time of year to be so far from our families. We are delighted that although we cannot be among you at this special time of year, it is very heart warming that you continue to keep us in your thoughts. From our Family to yours thank you central Illinois for your generocity during this season of giving. Attached is a picture of the Company
with the stockings.

Thank you
Honored to Serve,
SSG Ricky Melton
Night Operations NCOIC
A Co. 3d SB STB

























































Letter 31
Monday, December 31, 2007 @6:13pm CST



























Men and Women of the Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines,


I received several boxes of stocking from your organization over the past couple weeks. Tonight I passed them out to my company. Needless to say, they were very well received. A small token from home goes a long way. For many of my Paratroopers, this will be their first Christmas away from home. For other Soldiers, like myself, it is yet another Christmas away from home (four years in a row I have spent Christmas in a new country!). For all of us, the stockings are a token demonstrating that there are great Americans back home who support us and make our daily sacrifices worthwhile.


Thank you for sending enough stockings for me to pass on to my company. I'm not sure how I got on your list, but I'm glad that this Army Soldier made it. I'm originally from Dwight, Illinois, in Livingston County. It is encouraging to know that I hail from a state that is so supportive of it's veterans, from all services. Thank you for the that support!


Please continue the prayers as well, each one certainly makes a difference.


Respectfully,
CPT Jeremy Riegel
Commander, HHC 173d Special Troops Battalion
Jalalabad, Afghanistan










































Letter 30
Monday, December 31, 2007 @5:57pm CST
I would like to personally THANK YOU... on behalf of myself, the Marines here at SEI Platoon, Maintenance Company and all forward deployed troops away from home this holiday season!  Your efforts and support help to bring a little bit of home to each and every one of us!
I'd like to also THANK the following for their efforts and contents of my personal stocking:
-WMBD-31 & FOX-43 of Central Illinois
-Washington Presbyterian Church
-Mason and the other K/1st Grade CCD Students at St. Joseph's Catholic
Church in Roanoke.
-Brandon and his fellow W.D. Boyce Council Boy Scouts of America in
Peoria.
-Alberta Anderson of Pekin.

Your organization's continued support is greatly appreciated and brought us all a little bit of Christmas joy this year, which plays a vital role in keeping the Marines' spirits and morale high. We at SEI can't thank you enough!  

"SEMPER FI"
GySgt Michael D. McComas
SEI Maintenance Chief
Maintenance Company Supply Bn (-)Rein
Al Taqaddum, Iraq




Letter 29
Monday, December 31, 2007 @5:40pm CST








































Good morning,
 
I am Tom (1stSgt Kapla, Kilo Company 3/23).  You were very kind to send out Christmas stockings for the Marines in my Company so I figured that I should send you some pictures.
 
I know it seems late, but because of operational tempo (work), has been very high so we celebrated Christmas tonight.
 
Thank you so very much.
 
Tom








































Here are some more pictures.  Also, I neglected to mention that I have 6 soldiers, and 5 female Marines (called lionesses) here.
 
Tom
























































Letter 28
Monday, December 31, 2007 @5:27pm CST



























Operation Santa 07’

Thank you for your support and all of the stockings that you sent. You’re support and generosity for all the troops over here means the world to us. It makes our sacrifices worth while; please continue your support each year that the troops are here, it means a lot to all of us. I’ve included a picture of part of group with the stockings. Once again thank you for your support and generosity.

V/R
SFC Boyer, Brian
NCOIC, TAMP-Iraq



Letter 27
Monday, December 31, 2007 @5:22pm CST



























We are MWSS 473, a reserve unit of Marines in Iraq. We received stockings from you for Christmas; attached is a picture of the platoon with stockings. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this Holiday season away from our families.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 473
Communications Platoon



Letter 26
Monday, December 31, 2007 @5:18pm CST



























Thank you so much for the Christmas stockings you sent. Attached is a photo of several medics with their stockings from our treatment platoon at the Camp Ramadi Battalion Aid station in Iraq. We are an Army unit but fall under a Marine command and work at a FOB (Forward Operating Base) with just as many Marines as Soldiers. Everyone who received your stockings was very appreciative.

Thanks so much for sending some holiday cheer our way.

Sincerely,
Dave

Dave Bray, MD
MAJ MC USA
Dermatologist
Senior Battalion Surgeon for
C CO 3BSB 1BCT 3ID




Letter 25
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 @1:53pm CST

Dear Friends,
Today, the marines and I received your Christmas Stockings that you sent. We do appreciate what we have received. Though we are not home for the holidays, we know we are being thought of by our families, friends and people like you who do what you can do bring a little bit of Christmas to us and the other service members. Thank you for taking the time to fill these
stockings, because we know it was with love in thanks that you did this for us. God Bless you!

R/S
MSGT ISABEL CASTILLO
CAMP TAQADDUM, IRAQ



Letter 24
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 @1:50pm CST
Let's start out with THANK YOU and sorry we aren't Marines.  Your box of christmas stockings was the best thing I've seen out here.  To let you know who we are, we are an Army field artillery unit.  And we appriciaate everything you do for the Marine Corps and the occasional army/navy/air force units.LOL  ;-)

My guys are bad about getting there pics taken, but I will at least send you a pic of the stockings.

Thank you again
Robert Coffey
SFC, US Army



Letter 23
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 @5:55pm CST








































Holiday Greetings!

We thank you so very much for the numerous Christmas stockings you sent to us in Iraq. Attached are pictures from the Marines of 3D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Rawah, Iraq.  Once again, thank you for making this a joyous holiday season!

Semper Fidelis,
1stSgt Gary E. Gall
H&S Company, 3D LAR






Letter 22
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 @5:24pm CST










Ladies and Gentlemen,
My name is LCPL Kyle l Curtis and I work in supply with MARINE WING SUPPORT SQUARDORN  272. we really appreciate the stocking that you sent us for Christmas it means more than words can say to know that we are supported by people back home in the US. Enclosed in this email are some pictures of the marines in supply armory and embark  with  their stockings, hope you enjoy them.  

VR/S
LCPL Curtis
MWSS 272 supply (DASF NCO)




Letter 21
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 @4:49pm CST
Thanks so much for all the Christmas stockings that you sent all of us at Camp Ramadi Iraq recently.  We also received 2 boxes of flip flops, some clothes, a Christmas tree, and many over-the-counter medicines.  I am holding the stockings so that I can dish them out to everyone just prior to Dec 25th.  I know they will be very much appreciated by all.

Please pass along our thanks to the rest of your organization.

Sincerely,
Dave

Dave Bray, MD
MAJ MC USA
Dermatologist
Senior Battalion Surgeon for
C CO 3BSB 1BCT 3ID
Camp Ramadi, Iraq



Letter 20
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 @4:42pm CST














On behalf of Truck Company Maintenance Platoon, I would like to thank all of you who took the time out of your schedules to put together these stockings for us. Being away from home and family during the holidays isn't something any of us want to do, but gifts like this let us know that we are in your thoughts and that there are people at home that care. Being from LaSalle County, knowing these gifts came from central Illinois was pretty special to me. Attached is a picture of the platoon
with the stockings.
Thank you

Respectfully Sent,

Sgt Newell Justin P
Platoon Sergeant
Truck Co. Maint.
3405-753



Letter 19
Wednesday, December 12, 2007 @4:27pm CST
I want to say Thank You Very much for all your support and dedicated to all the Marines station in Iraq, Afghanistan and all over the world.  Take care and God Bless you and all the families involved in this support. Merry Christmas from Baghdad Iraq.

Semper Fi

SSgt Duran




Letter 18
Thursday, December 6, 2007 @9:28am CST
Good morning,
My name is cpl devine, Justin. I just would like to thank you very much. me and my platoon appreciate everything you do for us in the war against Iraqi freedom. Your support back home goes a long way. We are going to take a platoon picture on Christmas when we hand out the stuffed stockings. Thank you very much again.

Justin Devine

Cpl Devine, Justin
2nd supply bn, maint co, 1st plt
Unit 73735



Letter 17
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @4:20pm CST
The Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors assigned to the Multi-National Forces Iraq, Resources & Sustainment, Sustainment Fusion Division at Camp Victory Base, Baghdad, want to pass on a special and sincere thank you for the wonderful Christmas Stockings.  It's truly obvious that a great deal of care and love went into preparing each of the colorful stockings.  Although many of us are unable to travel home for the holidays to be with our loved ones, your act of kindness will help fill our minds with the spirit of Christmas. The men and women in the unit are greatly appreciative for all your prayers and well wishes.
From our team to yours, best wishes on the Christmas Holiday Season!

Merry Christmas!
LTC Ken Walkington
Mobility Deputy, Sustainment Fusion



Letter 17
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @3:45pm CST






















I want to thank you for sending me and my Marines a care package during the holidays it really means a lot to us that American citizens care thank you and god bless…..Have a great day…. And Happy Holidays
 
SGT VALENTIN D
372 MAINTENANCE PLT. SGT



Letter 16
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @3:29pm CST





















We received your gifts with great delight. We appreciate your support and consideration to our Marines that are forward deployed. Yours gifts brought smiles our faces and reminded us what we are fighting for. We appreciate the support of your organization and we thank you very much.

Semper Fidelis
Rubio LCpl Victoria A



Letter 15
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @3:27pm CST
My son SPC Gregory Regan Jr who is stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq let me know he received 5 BIG boxes filled with stockings for his unit and they LOVED them! Gregory and his "Family" wanted me to tell you "Thank You"! They emptied out the stockings, put all the contents into a community share box and are hanging the stockings and Christmas cards up. You are all great! Merry Christmas!
Peggy Zachary



Letter 14
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 @9:24am CST





















Ms. Smith, the Red Dragons just wanted to wish you and all the
volunteers to include your families Happy Holidays.  The attached photo
contains every member, Marine and Sailor, of this command you and the
volunteers have supported with the wonderful stockings.  Once again,
"Thank you for the support and Happy Holidays." 

"Semper Fi"
SgtMaj Diaz
HMM-268
Red Dragons



Letter 13
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @6:16pm CST

















We have just received the stockings that were sent to our unit.  Attached are the photos of the young Marines that received them. My Marines are very grateful for the Christmas spirit that your organization has touched them with. Thank you very much.

SgtMaj Halcovich R


Letter 12
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @5:44pm CST




























Thank you all for your gift boxes of stockings and your continued prayers, support and safe wishes. 
On behalf of all the Marines of CLB-8, especially those of the S-4 section, Merry Christmas and have
a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year. 

Semper FI
1stLt Miller, Edward H
CLB-8 S-4
Camp Fallujah





Letter 11
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @5:41pm CST
I would like to thank you all for the stockings. This probally isn't the web site to do it but I figured it would work. I am the
Ordnance Chief with VMA-542 at Al Asad Iraq. We have taken a few pictures that will be heading your way also. But again from the Ordnance Marines here Thank you all for your support and prayers.

MSgt James York




Letter 10
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @2:10pm CST

I just wanted to write and say thank you very much for the beautiful stockings that your organization sent to our unit.  I am kind of running with the Christmas celebrations for our unit and I wanted you to know that I will put your gifts to good use.  I will try to send a photo of the unit as Christmas approaches so you can see your efforts in action.  Thanks again and know that we appreciate all your thoughts and prayers.
 
Have a wonderful day,
 
CW2 Dave Ramsey




Letter 9
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @10:03am CST


















We are not Marines, but we greatly appreciate your support for the troops in Iraq.  Our outstations, like the one in the photo, are quite austere and anything from home is much appreciated.  The Soldiers in these photos are from Bravo Company and Mortars from the Headquarters company of First Battalion, 502 Infantry Regiment from the 101st Airborne DIV (Air Assault).  We thank you again for your support.  People like you all are why we serve day in and day out.  


Sincerely,

CPT Jeremy Ussery

Commander
Bravo Company
1st BN, 502 IN REGT
"BULLDOGS"




Letter 8
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @9:58am CST
Thank you so much for the fantastic boxes of stockings. Your kindness and generosity is overwhelming. It is not possible to explain how much this means to the troops on my unit. I plan to distribute to all the soldiers closer to Christmas. I hope to send you a picture of everyone with their stockings. In the meantime, here are some pictures of me checking the the boxes in my hootch. God bless President Bush, our troops and our mission. We appreciate your support and hope you all will let us finish our job here.God bless you all. May you have a joyous holiday season and healthy and prosperous New Year.
Regards,
SSgt Greg Saganich
USAF/Illinois Air National Guard
LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq


Many thanks to all those folks who have been sending gifts, goodies and words of encouragement and support to me and my troops in Iraq. All the many cards, letters, emails and packages are important to us. We appreciate all the time and effort you have put into making our holidays brighter.
 
We value the trust you have placed in us and we are repaying you for your continued faith in our mission. The surge has worked. Violence is dramatically down and security is increasing. The Iraqi Army has taken over responsibility in 9 of 18 provinces. The Awakening Council, the Sunni-Shia Reconciliation and the Concerned Local Citizens militias are all working with American forces against Al Qaeda and their ganagster proxies, with good results.Rest assured that although the U.S. media does not broadcast the good news stories; there are plenty of them. We hope to finish our job here. Even though we are still winning, Congressional Democrats keep searching for someone to surrender to. Don't let them.
 
I wish a very Merry Christmas to all those in the United States who have given so much to us in so many different ways. God bless you all.
SSgt Greg Saganich
U.S.Air Force/Illinois Air National Guard
LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq







Attached are some photos of me preparing to distribute the Christmas stockings to the troops here in Iraq. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity. God Bless You All. Mery Christmas.
SSgt Greg Saganich
USAF/JTAC
2/320 FA, 101 AB
APO AE 09391     



Letter 7
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @9:48am CST
Thank you so much for all the boxes you've sent to my men these past few weeks.  I'm the executive officer for a 700 man infantry battalion stationed in the northern part of Baghdad.  We've only been in country for about a month and so have roughly 14 (or so) to go.  Within a few weeks of getting settled into our new home we started receiving your packages--the troops were pretty happy...and surprised.  They really do appreciate the snacks and other stuff you've been sending.  It seems like a never-ending amount!  About half the battalion is living in more austere conditions than I, out in the Baghdad neighborhoods in Combat Outposts.  We've made a special effort to get your packages out to them as well and I know they appreciate the little touch of home that the stockings give 'em.  Again, thank you so much for showing these Soldiers that someone is thinking of them and thankful for what they're doing.

MAJ Joseph Kuchan
1-502 Infantry, 2 BCT
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)




Letter 6
Thursday, November 29, 2007 @9:14am CST














Dear Friends;
 
I returned just last evening from my son's homecoming in 29 Palms, CA. it was both a joy and relief to have him safe in the U.S.A. and in our arms.   Attached are pics of me with my son and his lovely wife. He got in Thanksgiving eve.
A few days later we went Christmas shopping and stopped to visit Santa. it was good to see the child in him is still very much alive even after 2 tours of duty!!
  
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Semper Fidelis
 
Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines
Patti Smith
www.cipfm.us


On behalf of my Marines and Sailors, I would like to take the time to thank you and everyone else responsible for the wonderful stockings.  We truly appreciate this noble gesture because we can see that somebody took some of their personal time to make the stockings to include filling them.  My men and women noticed this and were deeply touched by the kindness and generosity displayed.  Gestures like these truly make everything we do worthwhile because it tells us that America cares about their men and women who are out here serving their country.
 
Being away from our loved ones during the holidays is difficult, but we knew and understood the sacrifices we would be making when we signed on the dotted line.  It truly is an honor and pleasure to serve our country.  Once again, please thank every person who contributed to the wonderful stockings on behalf of the RED DRAGONS.  We would also like to wish you and your families Happy Holidays and may God bless you all as well.          

"Semper Fi"
SgtMaj Diaz
HMM-268
Red Dragons




Thanks so much for the wonderful stockings that you all have sent for my Marines and I! We are very excited! Currently they are put up in a box waiting till Christmas Morning and then I will pass them out to all the Marines!

SSgt Stephanie R Robertson
























Thanks for the Christmas stockings. The soldiers really liked them and gave them a touch of home. The soldiers spirits are high, as we looking forward to our return to the states. My unit is out of Ft. Riley,KS. We are with the 1st Infantry Division. We have been in country since Feb.  We are thankful to have people back in the states who support the troops. We are surely the greatest nation in the world!!!

SGT Vance Zimmer



Thank you for sending the box full of stockings.  It was the exact amount to be passed to all the young Marines in my department.  They were very grateful and appreciative of your thoughtfulness.  Thank you for thinking of us and for giving the thought of home back to me.   I can’t wait to tell my family (Pekin/East Peoria area) that a wonderful box was received from “home”. 

Steve Williams
Master Sergeant of Marines




I wanted to take the time to thank you for the stocking gift packages you sent. It was a great surprise and filled with many wants & needs of myself and the Marines they were shared with. Thank you for taking out the time to think of us and I hope you all have a blessed day!

Corporal Laura E. Munsell