Musings From Momma Marine - Supporting Our Heroes with Care Packages
Updates from USMC AR 2/23 G Co. Iraq
Tue, Jul 7 2009 04:04
| USMC, Iraq, support, Momma Jodi, Letters from IRAQ, Iraq Updates, supporting our heroes, Marines, Military, Marines in Iraq
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Mamma Jodi,
Been sitting on your letters for a while now and I am finally able to make some time to thank you and all the folks at Supporting Our Heroes for your time and support. Please pass on to Dennis O. for the beanie babies. We appreciate all that you have done for us. It is very surprising how a Marine's attitude can change when they receive a package in the mail. You my dear have brought quite a few smiles to our Marines here. Thank you. The support that we have been receiving from all back home is unbelievable and heartwarming. There is just not enough thank yous to express how much we appreciate your generosity. We did received the freezer pops in one piece, they did not explode thank goodness. These are the treats that disappear once they get cool. The Marines cannot even wait for them to freeze.
So far we have been here over 3 months and our jobs are slowly coming to an end. With the implementation of the US/Iraqi agreement, our involvement in the cities is winding down. That is what we have named the "responsible draw down." All we would like to know is if this responsible draw down will advance our timeline of going home?
Our duty here has not been too rough for us. As a company we occupied three different Combat Out-Post "COPs" with the living conditions not too bad. With our draw down, we have closed our COPs and returned to our larger camp. We have dubbed this camp "Camp Cup Cake" since it has all the amenities that we lacked at our COPs and we are seeing the Marines getting a bit spoiled even though they deserve every bit of it.
Now that we have a bit more time on our hands, we are getting ready to start a company softball tournament. We have been talking about getting t-shirts made. Enclosed is a logo that was presented. If we are able to find a good local printer to get them done we will be sure to send you one.
Once again Thank you for your support.
From the Marines and Sailors of Golf Company 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines.
1st Sgt Erazmo Ornelas
Been sitting on your letters for a while now and I am finally able to make some time to thank you and all the folks at Supporting Our Heroes for your time and support. Please pass on to Dennis O. for the beanie babies. We appreciate all that you have done for us. It is very surprising how a Marine's attitude can change when they receive a package in the mail. You my dear have brought quite a few smiles to our Marines here. Thank you. The support that we have been receiving from all back home is unbelievable and heartwarming. There is just not enough thank yous to express how much we appreciate your generosity. We did received the freezer pops in one piece, they did not explode thank goodness. These are the treats that disappear once they get cool. The Marines cannot even wait for them to freeze.
So far we have been here over 3 months and our jobs are slowly coming to an end. With the implementation of the US/Iraqi agreement, our involvement in the cities is winding down. That is what we have named the "responsible draw down." All we would like to know is if this responsible draw down will advance our timeline of going home?
Our duty here has not been too rough for us. As a company we occupied three different Combat Out-Post "COPs" with the living conditions not too bad. With our draw down, we have closed our COPs and returned to our larger camp. We have dubbed this camp "Camp Cup Cake" since it has all the amenities that we lacked at our COPs and we are seeing the Marines getting a bit spoiled even though they deserve every bit of it.
Now that we have a bit more time on our hands, we are getting ready to start a company softball tournament. We have been talking about getting t-shirts made. Enclosed is a logo that was presented. If we are able to find a good local printer to get them done we will be sure to send you one.
Once again Thank you for your support.
From the Marines and Sailors of Golf Company 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines.
1st Sgt Erazmo Ornelas
Comments
More from SgtMaj Lewallen
Mon, Feb 9 2009 06:33
| challenge coins, USMC coins, Letters from IRAQ, SgtMaj
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The SgtMaj also sent his USMC Challenge Coin. These coins are collected by the men and used in oh so many ways..... there are stories connected to each and every one collected and I'd love to hear your story if you'd care to share it. This coin is very special to this Momma and it will be treasured for a long, long time..... Oorah! 
THANKS! From Task Force 1/3
Fri, Jan 9 2009 05:56
| support, Letters from IRAQ, Thanks, Iraq Updates, supporting our heroes, returning troops, Letters from Military, Marines, troops, Marines in Iraq
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I wanted to pass on the sincere appreciation from all the Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion 3rd Marines for all the thoughtful care packages. Many of my men are on their first deployment, let alone first combat deployment, so it can be a difficult adjustment, but with all your support it makes it easier. It is good to know that there are so many caring Americans that continue to support the men and women fighting this war on terrorism.
We only have a little time left now and I ask that is you had plans on sending more care packages, please do so in the next couple of days so it makes it to us prior to getting forwarded back to
Thanks again for all the great support, take care
Semper Fidelis!
R/S
Sergeant Major Richard Lewallen
Task Force 1/3
3445-325
HERO SUPPORTERS,
THANK YOU for all your help in sending Support Boxes to this Task Force Unit. Since mail cut off is early February and it takes 1 to 2 weeks for mail to arrive, we'll be sending out this week and all next week to this Unit. If you have anything you'd like to send, please call or email. 806.898.0356 or Jodi@SupportingOurHeroes.com. From what I've heard, the last month of deployment is one of the hardest, so we'll be sending a lot to our guys to try to help them through that mail-less last month.
Semper Fi
From our 2ndLt Lenny Tran
Tue, Jan 6 2009 09:46
| Letters from IRAQ, Iraq Updates, supporting our heroes, Letters from Military, Marines in Iraq, heroes
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Hi Momma Jodi!
Sorry for not writing sooner; I just returned back from a mission that kept me out for a little while. As it turns out, after weeks of planning and coordination for the move to our current position, we've just received orders to move right back to where we were originally. Needless to say, not many people in my unit are happy about this. So now we have to pack up everything again and do this all over. My address won't be affected, though.
Oh, I forgot to tell you; it was my birthday last week. It's been so
hectic that I haven't really told anyone--I nearly forgot myself, haha. Believe it or not, it was on Christmas. And Christmas itself was good; we hardly noticed anything different, though. It was pretty much business as usual. New Year's came and went the same way. My fellow Lieutenant friends and I spent a couple of hours commiserating together about what we'd be doing if we weren't over here. We pitied ourselves for a little bit, but realized that we're here because we're needed here. And I realized that I'd probably never get to know you or about your family if I wasn't over here, so I'm actually glad for the deployment.
I have been trying to play Mattie's guitar every chance I get. My buddy snapped a couple photos of me playing it, so I'll send them to you and Mattie when I retrieve them from his camera. I haven't been able to use the vacuum much because of all my missions and because my living space is just a transient one right now. But the next move should be (hopefully) permanent for the rest of the deployment. It's worked out so far though; thanks so much for it!
Once again, thanks so much for everything. You've been so wonderful to me. Let me know what your New Year's resolutions are. Talk to you soon!
Always,
Lenny
Sorry for not writing sooner; I just returned back from a mission that kept me out for a little while. As it turns out, after weeks of planning and coordination for the move to our current position, we've just received orders to move right back to where we were originally. Needless to say, not many people in my unit are happy about this. So now we have to pack up everything again and do this all over. My address won't be affected, though.
Oh, I forgot to tell you; it was my birthday last week. It's been so
hectic that I haven't really told anyone--I nearly forgot myself, haha. Believe it or not, it was on Christmas. And Christmas itself was good; we hardly noticed anything different, though. It was pretty much business as usual. New Year's came and went the same way. My fellow Lieutenant friends and I spent a couple of hours commiserating together about what we'd be doing if we weren't over here. We pitied ourselves for a little bit, but realized that we're here because we're needed here. And I realized that I'd probably never get to know you or about your family if I wasn't over here, so I'm actually glad for the deployment.
I have been trying to play Mattie's guitar every chance I get. My buddy snapped a couple photos of me playing it, so I'll send them to you and Mattie when I retrieve them from his camera. I haven't been able to use the vacuum much because of all my missions and because my living space is just a transient one right now. But the next move should be (hopefully) permanent for the rest of the deployment. It's worked out so far though; thanks so much for it!
Once again, thanks so much for everything. You've been so wonderful to me. Let me know what your New Year's resolutions are. Talk to you soon!
Always,
Lenny
Re: Happy New Year and Thank You!
Thu, Jan 1 2009 05:33
| Letters from IRAQ, Happy New Year, Iraq Updates, supporting our heroes
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I sent notes to the Marines I receive email from wishing them a Happy New Year and telling them how much we all appreciate them and Thanking Them for the job they are doing. Here are two replies I have received. The first one is from our very short and sweet writer, Luis and the second is from our SgtMajor.
Momma Jodi,
Thank you so much for your Christmas present I received today and it was a wonderful surprise. Hope your new years was a great one mine was good no complaints here.
Jodi,
Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts. I have been pretty busy lately, one of our warriors was killed in action a few days before Christmas and we have been busy ensuring that he was properly honored for his sacrifice. Losing one of our brothers is very painful, but his legacy will live on inside all of us. There is a price to bear for freedom, and we are here to bear that burden. We are not alone and we know that, millions of great Americans and a few exceptional Americans like you stand behind us with enormous love and support and for that we are eternally grateful.
I wanted to apologize for not letting you know that I had received some packages from you over the past week or so, I did make sure the care items and goodies got out to the Marines with one exception. That was a very interesting box of chocolates that you sent. That was very thoughtful of you; however, let's not send anymore surprises like that. I almost pushed the box out without checking inside it, which would have made me the greatest SgtMaj ever in the eyes of the boys, and chances are they would have made themselves sick trying to eat enough chocolate to catch a buzz. No big deal, actually pretty humorous.
Thanks for everything, and look forward to hearing from you again,
Semper Fi
Rich
Task Force 1/3
Thank you all for your support in sending boxes to our Heroes. These letters are for you as much as they are for me. May God bless you beyond your wildest imaginations. Have a very wonderful 2009.
Semper Fi,
Comments (2)
Happy New Year from IRAQ!
Wed, Dec 31 2008 08:34
| Corpsmen, support, Letters from IRAQ, supporting our heroes, Letters from Military
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Some letters and emails are long and full of information. Then some are just straight from the heart and very short. They are all precious to me and mirror my own sons to the 'T'. Just like this one:
Dear Momma Jodi,
How was your Christmas, good I hope mine was not too bad it was better than I thought it was going to be, lol. Oh and a happy new year too incase I don't get to say it in time.
This is from Luis, a Corpsman with the 3/7 H&S in Iraq. No wasted space or fillers. Short and to the point. I love this kid.
Semper Fi,
Merry Christmas from 3/7 Marines
Wed, Dec 31 2008 08:11
| Momma Jodi, Letters from IRAQ, Merry Christmas, Letters from Military, Marines
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Hi Momma Jodi,
Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I'm busy as usual, but I'm doing well . . . I just wanted to say thank you for all that you've done. It has been great getting to know you; I'm glad you've accepted me into your heart and thoughts . . . it has been the best gift thus far. The Marines here all appreciate your support; their lives are all made so much better because of your warm care. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything from me. Hope to talk to you soon!
Always,
Lenny
Amazing, he wants to know if there is ANYTHING WE NEED FROM HIM!
Aside from coming home safely, I can't think of a thing, can you? This is only one of the Marines you help support!
Semper Fi
Greetings to the Borger Gateway 2nd Grade Class
Wed, Dec 31 2008 06:50
| Navy, Corpsmen, Letters from IRAQ, Letters from Military, Marines, Letters from the Home Front
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My Granddaughter, Emme, had her class sign Thanksgiving Cards for our Marines and we put them in care boxes sent Corpsmen to Iraq. Chief Scott Stanley sent the following letter:
Dear Students,
I am Chief Scott Stanley, I was very happy to receive the care package from you, and the nice card. I want to thank you for your effort and time in sending it to me. This package brightened up my day. I hope that Santa brings you everything you asked for. I also hope you have a great Holiday Season, Remember do well in school and have fun. You will always be with me.
Always,
Scott Stanley
HMC USN/IRAQ
Semper Fi,