Musings From Momma Marine - Supporting Our Heroes with Care Packages
Thanks from 2/23 Golf Company, IRAQ
Fri, Jul 17 2009 03:47
| USMC, Momma Jodi, Thanks, Iraq Updates, supporting our heroes, U.S.M.C., 2/23 Golf Co., Marines in Iraq
| Permalink
Well, we have officially reached the half way point of our deployment and the Marines here are glad to know it is all downhill from here. Our 4th of July was somewhat uneventful. Those Marines that did not have official duties had a "day off" and we got together to play a game of softball. We all had fun even though we were in the middle of a sand storm. We have been getting sand storms about every other day. Not sure which is better, a sand storm day that is a bit cooler but sand everywhere or a clear day with temperatures blazing.
Many packages continue to arrive and we are so grateful for the support. A few folks that I would like to acknowledge:
- Momma Jodi, Dennis O'Bryant and the folks at "Supporting Our Heroes- Thank you for all the goodies, games and the Beanie Babies. The Farkle game was the first thing to be grabbed by the Marines. As usual the freezer pops did not last long and was very noticeable that the Marines can never get enough of them. Thanks you.
- Peggy Kane- I do remember you seeing us off at our training center a few days before we left. Thank you for your generosity and support. The Marines enjoyed all the snacks, treats and hygiene supplies.
- Laura Kirk, Health to Soldiers and Betty Lou's Inc- once again the treats are very appreciated. The granola bars and the peanut butter balls were devoured by our health nuts, and we have plenty of them here. Thank you!
- James Spliedt and the folks at Agruim U.S. Inc.- Thank you all for your never ending support. It was apparent that the snacks and the jerky were very much appreciated by the Marines by the way they disappeared as soon as the box was opened.
Enclosed are a few pictures of our Marines in action and some of us not in action. We have also updated our website and more pictures can be seen on 2/23 G Co
Thank you all once again,
From the Marines and Sailors of Golf Company 2nd BN 23rd Mar.
Comments
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
| Permalink
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
AFGHANISTAN WAR PHOTOS
Mon, Jul 6 2009 05:32
| DOD, boxes, USMC, deployment, support, Army, war photos, Afghanistan, US Army
| Permalink
THIS should give you a whole new appreciation of what our DEPLOYED MILITARY TROOPS endure on a daily basis. THIS is one of the reasons we send boxes out to as many as we can. THIS is why I continue to ask for donations ... so we can send out more boxes and reach more of our deployed Men and Women. We can't be there to help carry their pack, to help keep them cool, to hand them a protein bar or a cold bottle of water.... BUT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PACK BOXES AND SEND AS MUCH TO AS MANY AS WE CAN .... We can continue to WRITE.... We can LET THEM KNOW someone is here and we love them, pray for them, appreciate their service to our country and think of them each and every day! Look at these pictures and say a prayer for our Military Men and Women and if you want to help fill the boxes we send or write a letter to put in a box, we will gladly accept your Support.
Semper Fi
I AM A MARINE'S MOM
Fri, Jul 3 2009 02:25
| USMC, Iraq, Army, supporting our heroes, U.S.M.C., U.S. Army, Poem, I am a Marine's Mom, Afghanistan
| Permalink
I just wanted to thank you for posting my poem!! As we celebrate Independence Day and we ready for the next deployment, it is as special today as it was the day I wrote it. We have sent more than 500 care packages to local persons that are deployed through the help of our community. They have NEVER let supplies run out! We hold a car show each year to help offset the costs of shipping and as we begin final preparations we are hoping for a fabulous turnout. This year we added mnotorcycles and a 'Round the Lakes Motorcycle Ride. (A little nervous as we've never done this, but hey, we have to add something new each year!) Again, thank you so much for your site and for posting my poem. Rhonda Elliott-Tippecanoe, IN
We posted Rhonda's poem 29 May last year. I proudly post it again today. I AM ALSO A MARINE'S MOM AND I AM A SOLDIER'S MOM ! And her writing stands as strong today as it did last year.. OORAH! RHONDA! From one Military Mom to another ... YOU ARE AWESOME! And I will gladly stand beside you any day of the week professing just this very thing ....
I
am a Marine's Mom
I proudly display my son's picture for all to see it is on the counter where I work, it is the most conspicuous on the wall at home.
I am the woman you see in line at the store who has an American Flag pin, a "My Son is a Marine pin", and a red, white & blue ribbon with the blue service star in the middle.
I am the person driving the car that is in front of you with the magnets that say "Support Our Troops", Proud Parent of a Marine, and a blue service star, a yellow ribbon attached to the top of my antenna.
I am the one with the grocery cart full of cereal bars, beef jerky, flavorings and additives for water, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, and Skittles so my son and his fellow Marine brothers can have a little piece of home while in a strange and far away country.
I am the person you see carrying boxes to the Post Office so my son and his fellow Marine brothers know there are people in the states that support them.
I am the one you see with tears in my eyes whenever "The Star Spangled Banner" is played or sung before a ball game.
I am the one that has tears in my eyes when the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag is said.
When you see my son's picture when you come into my place of business and ask me who it is and where he is, please understand, this is MY SON
.
Please do not tell me we shouldn't be there. We are. Please do not tell me the latest injury reports, the casualties, bombings and shootings. I know this, it is always in the back of my mind Please do not tell me the war is because of the President. This is my son's boss. I will not speak ill of him for whatever reason Please do not say that's no place to be, my son is there, he's serving our country, he would rather be home safe with his family, but he has a duty.
Please do not say "I'm sorry", I'M NOT, my son volunteered to protect his country. You should say, "You must be very proud of him."
Please do not tell me you know how I feel, unless you are a military parent, spouse, child, or fiancée, you have NO clue what I feel.
Please just tell me "Your son is in my prayers."
There can never be enough prayers going up for our military or my son or me.
I am the Mother of a Marine, this is my daily routine:
Mentally calculating the time difference half way around the world. Accepting that my son is now MY protector Reaching across the ocean with my love, hoping my son feels the extra boost in the dead of night, waking up and saying a prayer for his safety and peace of mind - Never letting my son see the tears in my eyes or hear the catch in my voice whenever he leaves home or ends a phone call. Enduring those moments when I am not as strong as I think I should be. Making it through each day by the grace of God - Opting to work extra hours or volunteer more than I used to trying to keep my mind occupied - Trying to smile even when I haven't heard from my son for days or weeks on end Holding onto the Marine Corps motto of "Semper Fi", hoping I can keep the faith - Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, praying God is with my son and will bring him home to me safely - Rejoicing and shouting so all my coworkers know it is my son who is on the telephone.
written by Rhonda Elliott - 05/09/08
PROUD Marine Mom
LCpl Kristopher Hill USMC-deployed
re-posted by Jodi McClellan 07/03/09 PROUD Mom of LCPL Andrew McClellan USMC & SSG Jeremy McClellan, USArmy -- BOTH DEPLOYED
Semper Fi,
Letter from HMLA-169
Fri, Jul 3 2009 06:24
| DOD, USMC, supporting our heroes, OEF, HMLA-169, Beanie Babies, Afghanistan, The Vipers, Operation Enduring Freedom, AH-1W, UH-1N
| Permalink
(rec'd 29 June)
03 June, 2009
Momma Jodi and Company,My name is 1stLt Scott Destafney. I'm a Pilot and Operations Officer with HMLA-169, the "World Famous Vipers." We are currently located in beautiful (sometimes) Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, where we are supporting the Marines doing the majority of the 'grunt' work on the ground.
First off, the entire squadron wishes to thank you for your wonderful care packages and letters! I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that almost every desk and work station in our camp is now home to a Beanie Baby of some sort. It really is incredible how much those little guys serve to lighten up the atmosphere around here! Don't tell anyone, but I now have what appears to be a golden retriever sitting next to my San Francisco Giants hat. . . It's definitely the little things that make this place more pleasant!
...We are HMLA-169, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. The squadron flies AH-1W and UH-1N Attack/Utility helicopters and our primary mission is to provide armed response should our brothers on the ground get into trouble. It is very gratifying to be able to give those guys assistance, especially since they are the ones really in harms way. Half of us are here in Bastion, while the remaining folks are deployed to Iraq helping out with the troop reduction and stabilization mission...
Anyway, I just wanted to let you and your family/organization know that we are incredibly grateful for your thoughts and generosity! The Marines know that people back home are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers, and people like you mean the world to us. I'll do my best to keep you updated on significant happenings around here, as well as trying to get some pictures sent out. Please pass thanks along to Mr. O'Bryant as well, as his Beanie Babies were a huge hit! Thanks again for everything!
Very Sincerely,
Scott
