UPDATE – MAY 9, 2007 – PROJECT MARINE CARE

2,194 boxes later, we are still shipping care packages to our troops involved in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). Thank you once again to our contributors and the people who pack and ship the boxes. The average weight of our boxes is about 13 lbs. and we ship goods like canned foods, beef jerky, snacks, coffee, hygiene items, sunscreen, lip balm, bug repellent, alarm clocks, headsets, books & magazines and many other items they can’t get at a PX, or because there is no place to obtain these goods in their areas of operation. There are two themes that run through the responses you will see below:

They appreciate your support and don’t feel forgotten; they use everything they receive.

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The first batch of responses came from 1^st Battalion, 6^th Marines, who were featured on a Fox News “War Stories” special a few months ago. It was a one hour show and contained many interviews with those Marines. When we learned they had been extended another 60 days or so, it prompted us to send quite a few boxes and 8 copies of DVD’s of the show to those Marines and sailors who were interviewed. 1/6 sent us 19 responses to that mailing and some of them are listed below. Most of those who responded were sent another box.

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Mt. Diablo Detachment 942:

I cannot thank you enough for the care packages. They truly lift the Marines’ spirits by showing them that “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” Please pass on to the Marine Corps League our sincere appreciation. Semper Fi!

Major Scott Kish

What can I say but thanks for the package and the support! I know you know what it feels like to be extended – it stinks but we are Marines and can take it.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Hernandez, Luis H. Ops Chief

Thank you for the box of food you sent us. It is nice to know that people still care and support us over here in the sand box. We all appreciate your support. Thank you again.

L/Cpl Wilson, Arik .

Thanks so much for the support! It ‘s great to know that Marines still take care of each other, even after the Corps! Semper Fi!

Sgt Colin Lasch

I want to thank you for the care package you sent to us. It’s really nice to receive anything from the States, also a morale booster is implemented upon all the Marines here. Once again, thanks.

Sincerely, L/Cpl Crary, Ben

I would like to thank you and MT. DIABLO DETACHMENT 942 for all the support you provide for our troops. I have received the care package along with the DVD of "War Stories" and would like to thank you again. You and your team make a difference. 
Semper Fi, John A. Thompson GySgt / USMC (1/6 - MAP4 Platoon Commander) 

From all the Marines @ ECP South – thanks for the support, Semper Fi! Sgt Dixon, Stephen F.

(Sgt Dixon also sent this letter with a picture of himself in Blues and his girlfriend Ashley by his side.)

Dear Mr. Wintersteen,

I would like to thank you for the items that you have sent to the Marines of 1^st Bn, 6^th Marines. It is always good to hear from a fellow 6^th Marine. The copy of Sgt Grit e-mails of Marines and their individual stories was interesting. Each Marine here can relate to at least one of the stories in the e-mails. I myself really enjoyed reading about all the other guys. The 4 X 4 magazines were also great too. The Marines can always use something to read to keep them motivated. Several of the guys are into “mud boggin’” so the mags really appealed to them.

Semper Fi, Sergeant Stephen F. Dixon, United States Marine Corps

Stephen’s reference to Sgt Grit is good. We try to put a Sgt Grit Newsletter in most boxes – they are a good source of info and some of the letters are very touching. If you want to see Sgt Grit’s site, go to:

www.grunt.com and click on “This week’s Newsletter”. You can sign up to receive it too.

Thank you for your package – it was received at the end of February. The reading material and snacks were welcomed. I especially appreciate the copy of “War Stories” as my wife and I were in that episode and I was unable to watch it. Taking the time out of your day and spending your money on our behalf is greatly appreciated.

A little about us – we are looking to head back at the beginning of May…….everybody is anxious to get home to their loved ones but there is still a lot to do before we leave. Every day is busy and that helps to pass the time. Since we have arrived here, there are very noticeable changes in the city of Ramadi for the better. It was a very bad place when we arrived last fall. It is starting to heat up over here and it will only get hotter. That’s OK – after the winter it will be welcomed to a certain degree.

We have a good group of Marines in this outfit. I’m proud of them and the things they are doing and have done. We have lost a few of our Brothers this tour, but their memory and sacrifice lives on in our hearts as we make our way through this deployment.

I can’t thank you enough for everything. I enjoyed reading your newsletters – it’s great to see the Marine Corps lives on even after retirement. We truly are a close bunch here.

Thank you again for your time – I hope all is well for you. Take care and God Bless.

Staff Sergeant Mike Beagle

There were more like those, but these captured the essence of them all. “Lost a few of our Brothers” is very painful. Here are the names of other correspondents from 1/6, based out of Camp Lejeune, NC.

L/Cpl Keith M. Bridges L/Cpl Carl Hensley 1^st Sgt Anthony Mass L/Cpl Xavier Calvillo

L/Cpl Gary McDaniels L/Cpl Evan W. Crowell Capt Todd Mahar L/Cpl Benjamin Harper

Sgt Major D.B. Poynter L/Cpl Daniel Hale L/Cpl D.R Rappa

We hope to see those Marines of 1/6 when we trek back to Lejeune later this year.

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John,

I got the package today that your group sent me. I really appreciate it and so do all of our guys that we distributed its contents to! We really appreciate your support….especially during the holidays. Take care. Lt McCausland

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1 February, 2007

John,

First off, I am very humbled by the amount of support we get from people like you that do not even know us. It makes our team of Marines, sailors and Coastguardsmen very proud to serve.

We are the Naval Transition Team in Southern Iraq (NaTT). We are what is more commonly called a MiTT (Military Training Team) or also known as embedded. Things are going slowly here, as there are many barriers that make the process painstaking. However, with that being said, we are making progress. We have not lost the focus of what we are here to do.

We receive mail about once a week at our firebase. I wish you could see all the eyes light up when we return with mail. It’s like Christmas every week! To top that off, when we see all the packages and letters from our second family (you!!!!), it is an unbelievable feeling for all.

The weather has turned for the better in the last week or so. It is a beautiful 65 degrees or so. Last couple of months before that and it was raining and cold. Some of you might laugh but 35 degrees was very cold for us here. Summertime it was 135 degrees. Glad to be out of the cold spell but not looking forward to the summer heat…….I will be here in Iraq until the end of August or beginning of September.

On behalf of the Marines, sailors and Coastguardsmen; it is for people like you, that we do what we do every day. It has been my honor and my privilege to serve you, the people of the United States of America.

Very respectfully,

Gunnery Sgt Boomer, R.G. USMC, Senior Enlisted Advisor, NaTT, Umm Quasar, Iraq

p.s. When not deployed, I reside in San Jose, CA.

What do you say to something like that? We (you) are making them “proud to serve”, “lighting up their eyes”, and are their “second family”. If you ever wonder how much the packages mean, this should erase all doubt. What better name for a Gunnery Sergeant than Boomer? We’ll be sending more to him.

Here’s the weather in Baghdad today, including the low temp.

Wed

107°F | 82°

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Hey John,

I have received a few boxes from your program. I just wanted to write you and let you know that it is greatly appreciated. It’s a great morale booster just to get a box in the mail, and when I can hand out the things that you send us it’s just a good feeling. It is great to know that you guys are behind us and support what we are doing overseas. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Cpl James H. Dauphinee

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Thank you so much for both the packages. My fellow Marines and I deeply appreciate your support.

Cpl Danielle Hannan

MWCS 38, Det. A

Danielle needs all the hygiene gear she can get, plus sunscreen, hand sanitizers, and other feminine items. We get many donations of same and will ship her some more. Woman Marine – urrrrahh!

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Dear Mr. John Wintersteen,

I just received the package you sent me today. Thank you very much for it. That was very nice and thoughtful of you. I really appreciate your support for us. It definitely brings a smile to my face when I know there are so many wonderful people like you back home who are thinking of all the soldiers and troops around the world. I’m actually stationed here in Baghdad, Iraq for 6 months. I am the trainer and supervisor for all of the Air Force police dogs here. I hope to hear from you all soon. Take care and keep in touch,

Sincerely, SSgt Ryan Feltz, US Air Force

We emailed Ryan back, telling him that when we packed his box, we were down to our last goods and I told one of my colleagues to make a mental note to send him a better box. We also need to get him some things for his dogs. He wrote back and said this:

Hello again - I received the other box you sent me today. Thank you very much! I really appreciate it and it was very thoughtful of you. It makes us feel more like home when we can get things from people like you we can’t get over here. Take care and keep in touch.

Ryan

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Keep doing God’s work!!
Sgt B.D. Nelson, TF 49th MP, B Co, (Rein)
 
John,
 We've been receiving your packages and I just want to personally thank you for everything! It has not only improved our morale, but it has improved our living conditions greatly! The support from the Marine Corps League is overwhelming!!!
 Of interesting note, I'm from Danville. I graduated from San Ramon Valley High School in 1986! I went to boot camp 6 weeks after graduation, and have been a Marine ever since. I only actually lived in Danville for a couple years, but I loved it while I was there. My parents are in the "Deli" business, and we moved there from Sacramento so they could run "The Foxy Loxy". Not sure how long you've been in that area, but maybe you remember it??
 Anyway, I just thought I'd share that with you, and say 'thanks a million' for everything you're doing for us! Our internet access is VERY limited, so I'm not sure when I'll be back on line, but I'll definitely keep in touch as much as possible! Please pass on to all the members of Det. 942 that we appreciate everything they do for us...Thanks for the awesome support!
 
Semper Fi,
1stSgt Cece

You never know who you’re reaching and where they’re from. In this case, 1stSgt Andrew T. Cece is from my town. This means I and my Marines here might be able to buy him a beer at Elliott’s if he comes to Danville. He is the First Sergeant for Golf Company, 2^nd Bn, 5^th Marines currently deployed near ar Ramadi. They have no running water for showers or restrooms, so they will need plenty of Baby Wipes and they’ll have to send a Marine to one of the big camps every two weeks to do the whole company’s laundry. He should see the barrel we have at the Frontier Barbershop in Danville – it seems like there are always Baby Wipes in it and we’re going to shop for more of them for Andrew. Here is a picture of the barrel. There’s always money in the brown envelope. Great people in Danville and this area. They really do care about our troops.

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John,

We really appreciate the packages you have sent us. It truly means a lot to the men in our company when we receive gifts from folks back home. It serves as a reminder that people are keeping all of us in their hearts and their minds. Your contribution is the kind of support that keeps smiles on our faces while we face each hard day in Iraq. Just knowing there are generous Americans out there, like you, lifts the lonely feeling we have at times, keeps our spirits high and makes us proud to be serving you overseas.

Our Company is currently working alongside the Iraqi Army, training them to eventually be able to take over all anti-insurgency operations in Iraq and have the country fully capable of defending itself against potential invasion from neighboring countries that wish to take away the freedoms the United States has brought these people. So far, the transition is working out well.

It goes without saying that we all can’t wait to get back home on American soil and see our friends and families again, but for now we have a job to do and with your gift, you have made all of our lives better and our job easier. Thank you again from the Marines of Kilo Company, 3^rd Bn, 6^th Marines.

I don’t know the name of that letter writer, but I suspect it is the Company Commander, who took the time to type that up. His name is Captain Bradford Carr and below is an excerpt from his May newsletter. All the “Nattering Nabobs of Negativism” should read it.

“The Company has continued to conduct numerous missions which produced the detention of sixty insurgents operating in the Al Anbar Province. We have also had over 160 volunteers to be Iraqi Police Officers in the area. The Marines and Sailors have also been responsible for finding numerous large weapons caches before they were employed on coalition forces or the innocent people of this area. These actions by your Marines and Sailors have created a trust with the local nationals that many in the media back home thought could not be attained in Al Anbar province.”

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Many thanks from the EOD team in Rawah, Iraq.

Eric Fisher, EOD Mobile Unit 5, US Navy

  That’s Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit – something to ponder tonight over dinner?

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Thank you very much for the package. I could use everything.

GySgt Maurice A. Smith, RCT 5, PTT6

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Sorry it’s taken so long to reply – we’ve been doing a lot of moving, helping out the Army in the city of Hit. We all appreciated the gifts. Thank you. L/Cpl Jacoby, J.D. 3^rd Ban, 4^th Marines, MAP Platoon

MAP is Mobile Assault Platoon, usually with Weapons Company in a Marine Battalion – something I’d like to see in action.

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Mr. Wintersteen, 

First allow me to please express my apologies for such a late note in response to the packages received while overseas in Iraq. 

While deployed with Echo Company 2/8 the Marines and myself were very fortunate and thankful for the abundance of packages that came to us at a time they were needed most.  You always here about packages becoming a morale booster but the simple truth is that they provide a temporary escape from where we were at the time. 

 Again we appreciated all the thoughtfulness and care that went into each and every package. 

 Semper Fidelis,

1stLt Terry Fellows, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 8th Marines

Lieutenant Fellows has been a great correspondent. We only wish we could have sent more to 2/8.

It means a lot to hear from you – thank you for your support. We will make good use of your package.

HN (FMF) Caruso, 2^nd Bn, 8^th Marines

Hospitalman Caruso is a Navy Corpsman – when you see FMF, (Fleet Marine Force), you know he is attached to the Marines and is considered by most Marines to be their saviors on the battlefield. FMF Corpsmen are accepted as full members in the Marine Corps League.

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Semper Fi!

Thank you very much for your prayers and support. The packages were awesome. Mail means so much to the Marines. We are proud to carry on the legacy of the Corps!

1stSgt Robert Ruddy, 3^rd Ban, 6^th Marines, India Company.

We sent the First Sergeant quite a few boxes because we knew he would best distribute same to his Marines and sailors. More will go his way.

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It is great to know that we have the support of the Marine Corps League.

Corporal Varian M. Townsend

India Company, 3^rd Ban, 12^th Marines (two notes)

Thank you and Semper Fi from Trebil.

GySgt Neil Reck, POE-TT, USMC

Thank you for all the goodies and snacks you sent me. I really appreciate it all. It definitely helps. It’s good to know that people out there care.

Cpl Joseph Little, Golf Company, 2^nd Bn, 7^th Marines, 3^rd Platoon

We got 2! I am so grateful to you guys and so are the girls in my unit. The response from everyone has been overwhelming!

SSgt Harmon, M.C. MWSS-273

I thank you for the package. I shared it with my Marines and they enjoyed. Thank you for the support. Cpl Reading, Samuel, MWSG-27 (2 postcards from the Corporal!)

The package was great. Thank you for all the snacks, movies and books. When working long hours, we sometimes miss meals or get bored. Thank you very much. It means a lot to us out here knowing we have people supporting us back home.

L/Cpl Bryan, Albert J., 5^th Anglico (Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company)

Thank you ever so much! My Marines enjoyed everything you sent. I very much appreciate your support. Major Patrick Burns, MALS-29, MAG-29, 2^ND MAW, IIMEF (Marine Air Group 29, 2^nd Marine Expeditionary Force).

Thank you for keeping me motivated. Sometimes it is hard to keep your morale up over here….I love my Rate and what I do. HOOYAH! I count myself lucky to be counted among the honored few to be called “Doc”. Regardless of where I go and what I do, that will be the greatest honor I have achieved. I wish I could do more – I give all that I can. The little tools and alarm clocks are great!; I share with my guys. HM Charlotte Muenchrath, Navy Customs Bn Romeo, LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq.

Charlotte is Navy and wrote a lot more. We sent her two or three boxes and we wish it were three hundred. Her Rate is her “job”. God Bless her.

Thank you so much for everything that you sent (both packages). Both came in very handy.

Sgt Rachael Lawerentz, 758^th Maintenance Company, LSA Anaconda. (Army unit out of Ohio)

John,

I want to start by thanking you so much for taking the time to send me supplies. They make a huge difference out here. …..we were supposed to be home in 1 ½ months but now we’re out here for 4 ½ months…..but it goes with the job. I kinda like it out here though – patrolling is cool – something happens every day. Well, thanks again, from Mike.

That’s from L/Cpl Michael Lincoln, a local boy whose Boot Camp Graduation I attended with another member of my Detachment. I think it was September of 2005 at San Diego. He’s now a full-fledged Marine, enjoying Patrolling. Marines are definitely different. See you when you get home…..

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This next one is from a Marine we got to know when his Dad set up a church service at our Veterans Memorial Building as a sendoff for him right before he deployed for Iraq in March. Charles helped us pack a bunch of boxes for David’s unit on 12 April and our crew really enjoyed being part of that connection. He is under the word “League” in the photo below. You can’t buy experiences like that, and we wouldn’t sell them either. We did send him the Trader magazines he requested.

Thanks John. We really appreciate your support. We liked everything, especially the hygiene stuff, the car, boat mags, and healthy snacks were great, ie. Powerbars, Trail mix, Jerky….Everything was topnotch. Truck, AutoTrader are fun to look at . BoatTraders, etc ….are extras.

L/Cpl David Haig 2/5 Weapons Company.

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Thanks for your support. The snacks were great. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Sgt Oubier, 2/5 Weapons Company

Same unit as David’s – not sure of the spelling. We appreciate him too.

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This is from recently promoted Master Sergeant Brent Dorrough. We had sent a couple packages and then read about his barbecuing skills, so we sent him a set of barbecue utensils donated by Blake White of Accu-Logistics in San Leandro, California. After all this happened, his unit renamed their Call Sign “Diablo” and stenciled a devil’s face on the gun turret of their Humvee, after our Mt. Diablo Detachment name. Now they are making caps (covers) with the same logo on it, the word Diablo, and their unit designation. We will be ordering some for our Detachment. This is a combination of 3 emails.

Sir, 

    Hello!  I guess I could have just returned the pre-addressed post card you include but that seemed a little impersonal to me.  Let me start by saying thank you for the package that you sent and giving you a brief introduction to the team you are supporting….  Of course I can’t give you a lot of specific information for operational security reasons as well as the safety of my team members.

    My name is Brent Dorrough and I am a Gunnery Sergeant with 14 years of service in the Marine Corps.  I was born and raised in Georgia and am currently stationed in Virginia, but I'm hardly ever there...  Go figure.  My team mates and I are here in Iraq serving on what is known as a MiTT team, and we’ll be here for an entire year.  MiTT stands for Military Transition Team.  MiTT's are at the forefront of the effort to get US forces out of Iraq, basically we have to train these guys how to run their own military and then get out of their way.  Sounds easy right?  Hardly!  There are 11 of us on this team and we have also been augmented with 6 others, totaling 17.  Sixteen Marines and one Navy Corpsman ( medical guy ).   

    You can not imagine just how grateful we are to receive packages in the mail.  Our BP ( battle position or base ) is extremely isolated out on the Syrian border and we have absolutely no way to get the essentials that we need on a daily bases.  We do have access to a few things when we travel to the nearest FOB ( forward operating base ) in Al Qaim, but even there the supplies we can purchase are very limited.  We really miss Wal-Mart!    So, I guess you could say that wonderful Americans like yourself are our Wal-Mart….  Seriously, we are very appreciative of the fact that you have not only spent some of your precious time and money to go out and buy these things for us, but also to package and mail them to us, as well as writing us a letter.  Those are all very nice things that you have done, for people you have never met and trust me, it always puts a smile on our faces and makes us feel appreciated.  Especially with all of the negativity in the news ( not that we see it, we don’t have access to a TV ) that we hear about, it is good to know that we still have some supporters out there.  I will post your letter on our “read board” for the entire team to read and some of them may even wrote you back, time permitting of course…….  

     Sorry for rambling on, we just finished a 12 hour operation and we’re all a bit tired and delirious right about now….. which might not be the best time to write a letter…..  oh well…  So I will close now, but again, thank you for your kindness.  We truly appreciate it!

 Semper Fidelis, The Marines and Sailor of MiTT 10

I have worked a great deal with the MCL in the past, back when I was a recruiter in Macon, Georgia, and you guys are awesome!  There is no doubt that I will be a member when I hang up my cammies....  That is long way off, God willing... 

 We are pretty isolated from everyone out here, and 3/4 is our closest unit back at AQ so everything you can send will be greatly appreciated!  Especially that grilling kit!!  You happen to be talking to the BP Tinian Grill Miester!!!  I have been working with inadequate grilling tools since we built it...  I'll get a picture of it and send it to you, it's humorous but it works! 

As for sending stuff for the kids over here, you could never send enough... so send everything that you can.  We are in desperate need of school supplies and soccer balls.  This region is north of the Euphrates and there is very little money in this region, mostly poor farmers and smugglers in this region, barely scraping by.  The kids here are usually the last to see any type of gifts, even though there are a lot of organizations doing a lot to help.  That stuff usually goes to the FOBs and gets distributed in their immediate areas...  So if you can find any generous groups out there in sunny California looking to sponsor a small team of Marines and bring smiles to a bunch of kids, then sign them up!  Most folks here aren't thinking long term, but I tell you what, the kindness bestowed on the kids today will greatly affect the climate here in years to come.  They are the ones that will eventually run this country and you'd be surprised how long the memory of kindness sticks with a poor kid.  I speak from experience!  I'll send you pictures of the kids getting the stuff that you send and you can put that in your letter as well....  Those great Americans that are making donations are doing far more than they will ever know.  I wish I could convey the joy of a little kid who has never had his own soccer ball or a little girl who has never had a babydoll in this letter, but words could never encompass the magnitude of that.  It's priceless.

 You are not only helping us, you are helping to build a better tomorrow for Iraq and the innocent children of Iraq.  May God's blessings continue to surround you and your entire team.  It's sad that Angelina Jolie gets more credit for doing about a 10th of what you are doing.....  but nevertheless, don't let that discourage you.  I can validate what y'all are doing and it is awesome!

 Thanks for everything.

Brent

Gentlemen,

     Good morning.  We just received the grill set that you sent for us and we couldn't be happier.  That is an awesome piece of gear there and I can assure you both that it will get plenty of use out here.  We have a microwave and a grill for heating food/cooking and we all prefer the grill.  Prior to getting that set, all we had was a pair of tongs and I can't tell you how much hair I have lost on my hands due to them! 

 So, Mr. White, thank you very much for your donation and thank you John, for sending it to us.  It is awesome to know that our fellow Americans are teamed up with us in mind.  That is one of the 50 billion reasons that America is so awesome.

 Semper Fi, Brent

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Now this kid really cracked me up. 3 notes. Two of them asked me if I spoke Dutch and one said “Stone of Winter - I don’t know if you’re Dutch but your name is”…..He said he speaks Dutch. We had sent him an NYPD Marines cover, Red, 1 each, a few weeks ago when we read he was from the Bronx. Some great Marines at 1 Police Plaza gave me 3 caps in November and we’ve been trying to find NYC Marines – Reiner is one of them. His last note said:

Mr. John,

Thank you for your package. VERY much appreciated and I even shared ☺Thank you for your love and support, we need it.

Can you send us a volleyball?

Cpl Reiner Koole, 3/6 H&S Jump

The volleyball is on the way……

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John,

I just received the box containing the cigars! You all shouldn’t have sent them but we love them!

Thanks for making some great time for us. I will respond with a more detailed e-mail. You really know how to motivate us.

Captain Brian Greene, H&S Company, 2^nd Bn, 6^th Marines, S-3

The cigars were a “Thank You” to Captain Greene for taking 3 of us to lunch last year at the Camp Lejeune Officers Club, a place I never saw when I was in the same unit 45 years ago. Brian did send a great e-mail and I passed it on to my Detachment. We’ll see him again later this year.

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John, The cigars and phonecard were a shock. Thank you and thanks to all the folks that make the gifts possible. We have a few weeks left and we will smoke the cigars before we board the airplane home. The hell with the negative spin the papers and TV try to put on us over here. We are doing things over here, and killing some bad guys.

Captain James Mingus, CO, “Fighting Fox” Fox Company, 2/8, RCT-5, Al Anbar Province. Thank you brother, Semper Fi….

That’s the same Captain Mingus whose last letter was at the end of our 8 February, 2007 Update. It seems fitting that he should occupy the same space here. 2/8 is home now, and they are another unit at Lejeune we will visit. Nothin’ like being with Marines on a Marine Base. (I’m proud to be his Brother).