We are raising
funds to send Care Packages to our Military fighting the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.We pack and ship from our storage location at 809 Florida
St. in Mandeville the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 8:30
AM to Noon. The number of packages we can ship is limited by the amount
of cash on hand to buy postage. This month we had 320 soldiers in our database but were only able to ship 80 boxes! Each package
costs $9.80 to ship.
We
always need Volunteers to help us pack!
Next Packing Day is:Wednesday,
July 9…See You There!
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:41:10 -0700 Subject: Hello & Thank you very much...(Operation
We Care)
Thank you very much for the packages..just got another recently very much appreciated!!
Thanks to all who put these together. Well thought i had written guess not..I am 31 yr old father of four boys (two
of my own) but that dont matter huh..Our boys age are 12,11,9,7. My family currently resides in germany awaiting once
again for daddy's arrival back from a deployment(3rd time here). Im originally from South Dakota but grew up in Washington
State..Wife is from Oregon. Joined the army in 2000..so yea been at it awhile..still have 3yrs on this current "contract"...lol.
Oh im a truck driver in the army so deliver whatever needs a hauling or moved..yep it varies from cement parts, to vehicle
parts, food, water, just whatever. Lets see..guess that sums up the better portion of things..Ah yes I have a fellow
NCO (sergeant) and a soldier from the Louisiana area. My fellow NCO (daniel besson) is very much for the Saints
and LSU even from way over here!!..oh yea i am a sergeant E5..guess ya probably got that..well guess end here for now...ONCE
AGAIN THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING..ITS ALL BEEN GREAT..oh yea i dont leave this place till november..we jump camps
shortly but the mail will get forwarded they are very good at that..keep ya informed of things and such...so far we have all
been safe..keeps the prayers coming for my fellow soldiers..Have a great Easter!!
From: Brenda Ogden, "Operation We Care"
On March 6, Millie Fitzmorris, on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16, donated 60 "Aqua Cool" reusable body cooler
scarves to "Operation We Care" for shipment to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan...Thanks, Auxiliary!
You emailed about a month ago when I put my teams names in your website right before we left to come down range.
We got our King cakes a few days after we got in country. And let me tell you I have not had king cake in FOREVER!
And I enjoyed it so much. You had told me that you guys were going to be sending us something really cool but I never
in a million years imaged that. Once the cake's and letter came I thought that was perfect, but then we got more in
the mail today. I can't thank you guys enough for the support you give us. It amazes me that after 7 years of
us coming over here to do our jobs, the love and care we receive makes our days 1,000 times better.
Now
let me tell you a little bit about me. I have been in the Air Force for really my whole life. I'm a AF brat and spent
most of my life just up the road from you in Mississippi. I joined the AF in 2000 so I have not been all that long.
My husband is also active duty, he has been for 15 years now. He is a TSgt he is a fireman. We are both stationed in
Ramstein Germany. The country is so beautiful. We have no children yet but we have only been married a couple
of years. We are moving back to the states at the end of this year, hoping to make it back before the holidays
for our families.
We that is enough about me. I thank you and your family so much.
I wish you all the very best.
God bless you
SSgt Lisa Beckett USAF
Feb 25, 2008
From: James Starks, USMC
To Brenda & all at “ Operation We Care!”
I wanted
to take time out to express my deepest sense of gratitude for your warm words and encouragement. I have been in the
Marine Corps for over 25 years now and I will say that “your” commitment and unselfishness to adopt me as one
to write to and send packaged goodies is truly inspiring!
I am
the Food Service Officer for the 3rd Marine Air Craft Wing. I’m responsible for the feeding of all troops
her in my area of responsibility that encompasses over 2/3rd of (over 30,000 Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors and
DOD personnel). I love what I do, and I’m very honored and proud to serve my country! I’m presently on my 3rd
tour over here as I was here for the initial war in 2001-2002, I came back for my second tour in 2005, and now I’m back
for this current tour.
I know
you are supporting me from afar and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart, however, my wife is currently home alone
during this deployment and she is going through the same separation, emotions as I am, though she is at home. Both of our
families live in the Mid west. Though they do call, it would be nice if she could receive a letter now and again, it would
mean so much to her and I. Many don’t see or hear of the sacrifices of our families, as they support the home when we
are forward deployed. My wife is now the man and the woman of the house. In my absence’s she handles all of the
financial issues as well as support our children. She also works a full time job. So I ask, if possible, if you could send
her a note to let her know that she too is serving and sacrificing so others don’t have to, it would mean the world
to me. I do not want to break any rules in doing so, only if you are able and willing, if so the address is:
Kathleen
A. Starks
765 Carmel Valley Rd., #208
San Diego, CA92130
In closing,
it is because of people like you, and all of the volunteers that give me the courage and drive to fight for the freedoms for
all Americans. I am willing and prepared to give my life so that others can be safe and secure in the comforts of their dwellings.
So I say thank you for taking time out of your life to express your thanks as it is because of Americans like you that I volunteered.
May God Bless you all, and may God Bless the United States of America!
My name is PFC May currently stationed in South Baghdad Iraq, and I have received
a couple letters from you and a few care packages as well most recently I received a King Cake from you which is absolutely
delicous and I just wanted to say thanks for thinking of me and sending the packages and letters. It means alot to me and
i'm greatful to you for taking the time to show you care about the troops.
Sincerely
PFCMay
E-Co 703 RD
BOY, DO THEY LOVE ALL OUR WORK AND KING CAKES. THANKS TO ALL. PLEASE PASS THIS LETTER
ON TO OTHERS AND MAYBE WE CAN DRUM UP MORE SUPPORT....Brenda Ogden
My Louisiana Friends,
Thank you so very much for all the thoughtful packages you and your group have been sending
to us here in Iraq! I have enjoyed your letters and goodies with much delight. It is difficult to thank you enough,
truly.
You apparently know us quite well from SGT Michael Bone's providing information about us in
1-38 Infantry (Stryker). Coffee is, in fact, my favorite beverage and the Starbuck's coffee tastes wonderful over here,
especially when packages with the love and support from the folks back home! You are all angels. The King Cakes
made it here in just 6 days and taste deeeelicious! We are all enjoying them - boy do they go GREAT with coffee!
Being far from home really makes one appreciate the wonderful country we all love, and it
is people like you that remind us what we are fighting for. Lord knows, it is hardly clear from this perspective, otherwise.
It is very difficult, this situation we are in. The Iraqi culture is much, much different from our own and I for one
am not convinced they, as a society, will ever truly understand the American way. A few individuals, certainly, but
as a society - I have serious doubts. The love and concern that folks such as yourselves show your Soldiers, Sailors,
Airmen and Marines demonstrates the most significant difference and that is concern for the well-being of others. The
support you all give, whether you feel our mission here is a valid one, or have serious doubts, never sways.
Opposite from that, you all regularly take time away from your busy schedules to provide little
slices of home for folks far away. People you've never met, but who you know are like you because we are Americans.
And that is enough of a reason for you. We may be of a different race or religion, or from a different state, or
have different political beliefs, but that does not matter to you. We are all Americans. You know we are
here for you, and you recognize that, and in return are there for us. You are good Americans and good people.
Thank you again, for the wonderful love and support you provide. Whether you hear back
regularly or not, believe me when I say it is truly appreciated by the soldiers of 1-38, and doubtless by the soldiers of
the other battalions, as well.
God Bless you, and all our other Louisiana (and other American) Friends.
Sincerely,
David J Kersbergen, DO
MAJ, MC
Battalion Surgeon, 1-38 INF, 4/2 ID (Stryker)
(P.S. Shhhhh! Don't rub it in, but the Louisiana Friends have been the best so
far )
And, by the way (hint, hint, hint) I sure do love that Community Coffee dark roast from
Ol' Louisiana
Take care. Happy Mardi Gras (is that what y'all say??)
Thanks to all Scouts, Leaders, Parents and Teachers for helping decorate "We
Care" boxes which will soon be on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan to support our troops...on Friday, Feb 1, I collected
41 boxes from Johanna Howell filled with inspirational messages and great art...Please keep up the good work...These shipments
are great morale builders for people who sacrifice far from home and whose primary mission is to keep us safe! Yours in Scouting, Rick
Sunders (COR) Cubmaster Note: This will be an ongoing project
for the pack. We'll have more boxes at the pinewood Derby and scouts, parents, and siblings can decorate more boxes
while they are waiting to race and during down time. Operation We Care sends these care packages out on a continues
basis and any help we can provide to lift the spirits of those deployed is greatly appreciated. If you have boxes you
decorated and did not get to Johanna Howell in time, bring them to the Pinewood Derby for turn-in. YIS, Tonie
Remember This War is NOT Over Until All of Our Men and Women Come Home!
This is not about politics - it doesn't matter if you like or dislike the President, agree or disagree with
the war, our military has to do their job! And it's our duty,as FREE US Citizens, to help support our troops!
As of December 2007 we have sent over 10,000 care packages
to our troops!
We are a group of Family and Friends of local Military personel and feel that we need to help make their deployment a little
more comfortable in this 130 degree temperature plus environment! We send them items that they have requested.
When we stand together, we can make a difference! This can't be done by one or just a few people but when you are united
with your community - miracles happen!
People Want to Help - They Just Don't Know How! Reach Out and ASK, you'll be so surprised!
This type of Support Group is duplicable in every City, Town across the USA!
Letter Responses from our Troops
Friends, Thank you so much for the wonderful gift box and
the pillow.The Soldiers here truly enjoy the thoughts and prayers and support
from people like you that take time to share a small touch of home.I will truly
cherish the "Shield of Faith".I have hung it on the wall as a reminder that
God is with all of us in our endeavors. Thank You! D. PATE FRESH MAJ, OD BN XO "No Slack" 142D Combat Sustainment Support Battalion LSA Adder, Iraq DSN: 318-833-5055 daniel.fresh@us.army.mil daniel.fresh@iraq.centcom.mil SIPR daniel.fresh@us.army.smil.mil daniel.fresh@s-iraq.smil.mil
I am Lieutenant McElravy, I am a Platoon Leader currently leading a platoon in Afghanistan operating out of
a Combat Operation Post in Yahya Khel Paktika. I have roughly 28 men in my platoon. Due to the high Insurgent Population and
remoteness of our Area of Operations, we rarely get mail, so when we do, it is an awesome day! Today we received mail and
with it were 3 of your Kings Cakes, we had received 3 a couple weeks ago as well, but I haven't had much time to get out e-mails.
I can't tell you how awesome it was to get your cakes and the guys LOVE them. One of my soldiers is from New Orleans, so it was great to give him
a little piece of home. Another one of my soldiers is from St. Louis which is also a big Mardi Gras city, and he too loved
the Kings Cakes. I can't thank you enough for you support and your true care for the soldiers out here fighting on the front
lines. I have some pictures of the guys enjoying the cakes and will try and upload and send them to you as soon as possible,
also when a few of my soldiers return from leave we are going to take a platoon photo, and I will be sure to print and send
one to you. Thank you again for your support, God Bless.
Hey
my name is CPL
Donald Fontenot from Baton Rouge, La. I just wanna thank you on behalf of SSG Watts and the rest of the 259th MCT for the awesome king
cake you sent us. It was awesome having something to help me and a few others relate to home and a new experience for the
rest of them. I hope you have a happy Mardi Gras and have a blessed day.
Thanks for the smiles p.s. our interpreter
got the baby.
CPL Fontenot 259TH MCT GEAUX TIGERS and WHO DAT!!! ************************************************************************
Dear
Operation We Care,
We
thank you so much for the (2) King Cakes you all sent us from Randazzo’s. We loved every piece of it! My
Marines were really appreciative of it and it went quickly. BTW, we still found the baby in the cake ;)
Sergeant
Hamilton, N.D.
Comm
King
Charlie
Co. 1st CEB
CampDwyer, Afghan
VOSIP
359-6992
DSN
359-3308
"Se non sono in oltre la testa, come fai a sapere quanto sei
alto?" T.S. Eliot
)
We are a group of Family and Friends of local Military personel and feel that we need to help make their deployment a little
more comfortable in this 130 degree temperature plus environment!
People Want to Help - They Just Don't Know How! Reach Out and ASK, you'll be so surprised!
