Putting "Supporting our troops into action"

Hello!  I am the brand new chaplain asigned to the 203rd Engineer Battalion at FOB Orgun-E, on the eastern side of Afghanistan.   One of my first duties that I performed is processing the wonderful care package you sent to our FOB.   As you may know, there is not a post exchange that allows soldiers to buy toiletry items and other neat to eat treats.  What’s more, the clothes and other neat gifts that we receive are being used to benefit the poor civilian Afghanis who live outside the wire and deeply appreciate the clothes and toys that you send.  I am amused that the Afghanis call stuffed animals cartoons, because there is not a word in their language to describe dolls!   So they ask for cartoons for their children, I think that this is really quite sweet!

Soldiers are already coming in rooting through the closet looking for stuff and they really appreciate the convenience that we can offer them.   Hard candy is a great benefit in this terrain; and when the Soldiers are out on missions, the dusty air leaves a lousy taste in their mouth, so Jolly Ranchers and this sort of stuff that you send is awesome to hand out in formation when I offer prayers and support.   You make my job as spiritual advisor to 5 Army companies so much more fun—I come bearing gifts from home-town America!

The weather here in Organ, Afghanistan is really beautiful, but the nights are becoming much colder.  The army has issued all us Soldiers very competent rain and inclement gear for the tumultuous winter that we look forward to having soon.  But as of today, we enjoy a beautiful day.

Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness and love for your fellow American Soldiers!  As I said earlier, I was so pleased to sort through your care package and place them in boxes that will go to any of the subordinate companies in our battalion.  I hope you realize the enormity of your generosity in that you show to young and old soldiers alike that their work is not in vain, that their fight for peace and freedom is for those who share in this noble goal.  I am blessed to think that we share in one patriotic vision together.   Thank you on behalf of those whom I minister as Army Chaplain.   Take care and stay in touch.   God bless you and our wonderful country.

Very warm wishes to all,

CH (CPT) Bryan Walker

NOTE: We are continually sending items to Bryan. The soldiers are especially in need of personal hygiene items.

Jan 2, 2010 We have a FOB in our AO that has a free store that's run by chaplains. It's called The Agape Store. I forward most of what I don't give the rest of our FOBs to them. The base is Sharana And the Addressee is Chaplain Netherly. You can send him what you've been sending Maj. Schlereth and I'm sure he would greatly appreciative. It's FOB Sharana and the same APO AE as Orgun-E.

Now as far as Chap Walker and myself and our soldiers on Orgun-E goes...Bedding and towels. Especially with a rotation about to take place.Every day I have soldiers asking me if I have any towels or any blankets, and I have to say no. So if it would be possible for you to send towels, washcloths, Sheets pillows, and blankets, that's what we need here. The toiletry supply is good for now, but you know how that goes with soldiers, contractors, and DOD civilians coming in all the time asking for razors and toothpaste. So a steady stream of toiletries doesn't hurt, either. As far as coffee goes, We have plenty, but we give/ send a lot of it out.

Oh! I've had several soldiers ask me if we have any cups of ramen noodles. The premade cups that all you have to do is add hot water. The RCP guys mainly. I try to give them as many alternatives to the MRE as I can if you know what I mean. So if you can start sending some of those, they would get used and be greatly appreciated. Otherwise keep doing what you do, man. We greatly appreciate everything you've sent us so far.

 

 

 

 

I cannot thank you enough for the generosity you have shown with the care packages I have been receiving. I see the care and support you and the volunteers have towards myself and the rest of my comrades deployed here with me. There is so much I want to say, but in the end all that I can really think of is thank you. Thank you for the support and most of all thank you for not forgetting.
Thank you for thinking of us and keeping us in your prayers.

Have been pretty busy here since we've switched
gears as of June 30, 2009 to the Advisory and Assist Role. The enemy is still the enemy and he is still very dangerous. He continues to figure out ways to attack us whether be it by IEDs, EFPs or Indirect Fires (IDFs) Mortar of Rockets. I can tell you that the majority of the Iraqis down here in the southern Iraq wants a better and more secured Iraq. Elections is coming up and so the enemy as you probably already saw on the News that they also are gearing up and conducting mass attacks in Bagdad. As for the Soldiers, morale is still good, thanks to you and your team and the
many other Americans who continues to support us here.
The last huge box of care packages that you sent here was very nice, the individually separated gifts in large zip-locks. I gave those to my Forward Support Company (FSC). The FSC is comprised of Soldiers of both gender and these Soldiers have been non stop since we got here back in May. These are hard working American Soldiers. The Holidays are just around the corner and these Soldiers will continue to provide the much needed support to Soldiers through-out our sector. So from all of us here on COS Hunter to you and your team, " A MERRY CHRISTMAS
and A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"

 


My name is Maj Rob Wyatt. I took over for LtCol Geeslin as the OIC for the Taji Combat Stress Control Unit when he was reassigned. LtCol Geeslin provided me with your email address.

I'm writing to thank you for the items you have sent to us in the past. They are much appreciated by both the staff and the troops we serve. Toward that end, I was curious if it would be possible to request some additional items? The cigars are very popular among the soldiers and if you have any candy/snack food type items that would be very helpful. We try to keep our waiting room stocked with things to make our soldiers more comfortable and put them at ease.

The service you have provided in the past is very much appreciated by both myself and the soldiers we serve.

Best Regards, Rob Wyatt MAJ, USAF, MC, 785 MC (CSC) Camp Taji

 Our mailing address is

785th Med Co (CSC)

Unit 46031

APO, AE 09378

 

 

I received the cigars about a week ago, thank you again! There are many more than expected, there will be no need to send an additional box. I most likely will not get through all you sent. I will share with the EMF here in Kuwait, passing on remainder to the following detachment.

 

Take care!

Chris 

 

Hello there!

 

The guys wanted me to thank you so much for the cigars!! Just as I was arriving at the "push point", this is one of the many places convoys and patrols meet up to check their gear before exiting the compound, they were doing check fires and communications checks so there wasn't time to get them to pose for a photo. I’m working on getting them to do so. I also sent some up to Ramadi, Iraq and Al Asad, Iraq. The Brits love them...!!! LOL

 

Joe

 

It's been awhile since I emailed you but I wanted to let you know the guys started to receive the care packages.  I thought you might like to know that when they got the cigars,  it gave my husband the idea to build a Cigar Bar.  He started to talk to me one day about how they got cigars.  I told him I knew all about it. He didn't know what to say then.  I explained everything and he still didn't really believe me.  He went to his box and read the address and I said yes I know, I signed all the guys up. . He was really surprised. I asked .him about his Cigar bar. He designed and was building a 10' x 16'  screened-in Cigar Bar so when they sit outside to smoke the cigars, they don't get eaten alive by bugs.  They made chairs to sit in too. At first it was slow going but then some of the other guys asked him what he was doing and he had a lot of help with the building. He is going to send me a picture of it when he gets a chance and I will send it to you too.  Just thought you would like to know how you helped the guys morale. 

 

  Thanks Again,

   Christine

 

I wanted to let you know we did receive the box of cigars. I want to thank you for sending them. I cannot express our gratitude to the great volunteers of your organization. Thanks again. As I get more photos, I will send them.

 

I have to admit, I do not smoke or hang out in the smoking section. I will pass it on to our fine NCOs to make sure they take photos for us.

 

V/R,

LARRY

SFC, USA

Chief Wardmaster, Ibn Sina Hospital

 

Then we learned that they actually have cigar clubs there!

The Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club (BCAC)
http://baghdadcigaraficionado.synthasite.com/index.php

 

Operation Support Our Troops Illinois,

 

We here at FOB Delta just wanted to extend our appreciation to your organization for sending us the huge box of cigars and other goodies. We recently started another Chapter of the BCAC (Baghdad Cigar Aficionado Club) , a cigar club here on FOB Delta, and the cigars really came in handy for us.

 

We love what we do and we do it well. It is an honor to be an American and even more to serve this great nation. Thanks again for all your support back there. Please keep up the good work.

 

I have enclosed a picture of just a small few who are enjoying the very generous package you sent us. Again, many thanks.

 

v/r

Kenneth

SGM, USA

Thank You to Nicor National for shipping the Cigars

 


I have a small list that would greatly help us here -

 

- breat pump manual - 2.    Nothing fancy but we have gotten a few breast feeding mothers in and we have not had any way for them to continue to provided breast simulation ect.

 

- baby gowns - we have some baby clothes but the locals do not allow us to put the babies in clothes except for the gowns. Nothing fancy just plain simple light weight gowns.

 

- diapers - the ward nurses prefer disposable but with the lack of land fills ect, some cloth diapers with velco might be good. Most of the nurses have never used cloth diapers and have not clue what to do with them plus do not want to mess with the cleaning of them. I think I would be hung with cloth diapers but whatever we can get would be welcomed.

 

This would finish off our ped sections and stock.

 

- the one thing for troops would be some towels/washclothes. We need about a doz of each. nothing fancy or expensive but we seem to never have enough towels for these warriors.

 

My personal request - a roll of "bubble wrap" - yes it is strange but I build the coffin for the infant/kids that die. Can't put them in body bags - it's personal thing so this is something I do. I use bubble wrap with paper pillow cases to line the inside of the coffins for the infant/child to lay on. Again, just can't put them in...I have traded or swapped things to get people bubble wrap but we are not about out within the camp. If it is possible to get some, I would greatly appreciate it. If not, it's ok. I need the above items more and don't want to take more than what we need.

Anyone who can assist contact support@bataviacares.org

 

 

 


We all wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Without your help and
generosity we would not have had a good Christmas. Everyone loved their
electric blankets and are using them now. BOB Thank you so much for the dog
kennel. They really needed it. We have a disk of new picks for you guys that
we will be mailing soon. Thank you for all of your support and everything you
do for us. SPC Settle


 
Batavia Cares, 324 Church St., Batavia, IL 60510 630-687-1943