We often get requests to send care packages out to our deployed troops. Many of our requests come from a spouse or a parent. Some requests come from friends and co-workers, and we often get requests right from our troops.  Many will find our website and submit the name of a friend in their unit who is not receiving any mail.

Requests are often accompanied with information about the soldier, and we have the privilege of knowing a little bit about the one who will receive our box.   We send boxes out on a year round basis, so for the year “our soldier” is deployed, we might send him or her several boxes.  Each time we write out the customs form, type up the label, email the family member who referred him to get updates on his status, take a look at his photo on our “Hero Wall”, and pray for his safety, we get more attached to him and his buddies who are fighting for our freedom.

We will never be the biggest nonprofit out there.  If we were, we wouldn’t be able to keep it personal.  We don’t just have a list of names that get slapped on the top of a box every month.  We have a commitment to take care of our soldiers who are deployed in harm’s way, and we have a commitment to support their families who anxiously wait on this side of deployment.  Receiving letters such as this one tell us we must be making a difference.

My son’s unit is doing very well in Afghanistan. He tells me they are all enjoying all the packages they have been getting.  I have been sending many items as well and have adopted a young lady in the group who has not gotten packages (they did not tell me until three weeks ago).

I did get a call a few weeks or so back asking me “Mom what have you done?”  They had gotten several packages and were covered in goodies. He tells me how much they just love the cards and letters. My son has been passing on items their unit does not need to the Chaplain to redistribute so absolutely nothing goes to waste. 

His deployment will end the first week in January, so I am hoping that they will have a supported holiday while they are away.  Due to the job for some reason they are not able to get photos out like many units can.  I don’t know if you are doing your heroes wall but if so I have attached one of his boot camp photos and the only photo to come out of the FOB for my sons field promotion. As a mom they all look so tired and mine looks so skinny!

Everything aside, I want  you to know that your help is so much appreciated and gave me such peace, as a mother. I am disabled and overall my son tends to be what I consider more helpful to me than I am to him. I worried so much that I would not be able to bear the financial strain of the shipments myself, as you well know it can be pricey. Knowing there are groups like yours to take him under your wing set my mind at ease during uncertainty. I knew thanks to your group my child,  my son, my Marine, My Hero would not go without during such a stressful time because of my limitations. I am finding that with his help I am able to keep this up and he has had me add his comrade.  My only concern as a mother of course is for morale during Christmas.

Once he is home I would like to pay back for another soldier to be able to have the benefit of your support, will you please tell me how I can do this? Thank you more than mortal words can say.

Proud Mother of CPL. B

Texas