Troops in the Middle East, Part 3

Have you heard if all got their packages 8ftbed? I hope (and assume) that my package arrived safely to Andrade.

I haven't heard from either 3 of mine...I do hope they were received. Blaine...can you check with your son and see how many got them? Jo

I have only heard from the one of my guys..I asked him to ask the other 2 if they received their packages.

As I read back over the posts, I realized these people are not in Iraq, but in the UAE being support to the troops..not sure what that means... What sort of support do they furnish? Does anyone know???

I'm in contact with only ONE.... Nesbitt (my son)
Even that is random and sparse. I had to send a poke in the ribs for him to send a note or something to his Great-Grandmother to confirm/deny receipt of a package she sent.

While it's not any of my responsiblity or fault, I do feel sorry and apologize to all who have not had the courtesy of a note acknowledging receipt of your gifts. I really am sorry and feel bad about it but must say I warned all in the beginning you may not hear anything. Especially from the younger ones.

Oh well.... remember it's the thought that counts.

UAE - United Arab Emirates is a group of tiny countries on the border of Saudi Arabia. There's a lot of military from all participating countries on bases through out the mid-east. The group who most people in this thread sent stuff too are based at Al Dhafra airbase which is set up outside of Abu Dhabi. I'm not sure of everything they do but know that troops rotate from there to Iraq and back. They also support and are a staging area for myriad air operations throughout the mideast. Best I can do at this juncture. You did see where terrorists conducted a bombing in Saudia Arabia the other day?

8ftbed - You needn't apologize for no replies, it's not necessary, not expected and not your responsibility. I think most of us have young sons (and daughters) and we all know how notoriously bad they are, or can be, at that sort of thing, and that's without serving in a war. I'd love to get a reply but if I don't, that's okay too. I don't need a reply to contribute again, the thanks in my heart for what they are doing is enough thanks. Happy New Year to All!!!!!

Amen...but they all did sign up for pen-pals...don't they know that requires a two way communication? LOL Oh well...I just hope they had a great day. Jo

I haven't heard anything either, and wasn't expecting anything, but I think it would be nice for folks who gave from their hearts while even on a tight budget to at least receive a short thank you of some sort. It could also possibly be the mail system as well.

8ftbed, you provided the list of names that you received so I feel you are not completely exempt from the matter. You were more than willing to submit what I feel was more than likely the entire list of members of that unit, while there are other servicemembers who may not have had received a package at all because they had no one to send them one. I live close to Langley Air Force Base and I will inquire about the mail situation to see if possibly our packages were not received in time.

I wasn't expecting to hear back from the soldier personally, I thought perhaps 8ft had maybe received an email or the son had mentioned that "everyone got their packages" something to that effect. I realize that 18 & 20 year olds in a war zone are not going to make a thankyou note their top priority, and that wasn't my concern, I had just hoped 8ft had heard something in passing.

Carol, I also sent to a few soldiers from the "any service member" website, and I have heard nothing from them either, and I chose people to send to who described people in their units as having no one.

8ftbed did what we asked him to do, and he was quite clear that he knew nothing about the kids. As I said, I was just hoping to hear that *all* had received packages. I'm more concerned about the packages arriving safely than I am about a thank you note. I don't know that a delivery confirmation would work over there? Does anyone know?

Hi 8FT! I actually told my adoptee NOT to feel obligated to write me back and to please use the stamps I sent to write his family! I know they want to hear from him way more than I need to know he got my package. I do hope he got it!! :) I am sure he did - this may be naive but I bet the Postal Service/Military folks take the soldiers mail pretty seriously and try to make sure they get it! That's what I choose to think!

Happy New Year!

Nicole

I had a great time doing it so I want to thank you 8ftbed. I bet they are just busy or just being young. My 22 yr old is the same. You can give him something he very much values but he just never gets around to sending a thank you. And it is not because he has not been taught better......LOL!!

I would like to make sure mine got theirs before I send second packages though. I wouldn't care if someone else got it either. I just hate to think they may be stranded someplace because I filled something out wrong.

Thank you all

and Carol7... as Melissa pointed out - I was "asked" if I could ask my son for a list of names to post here. This was untypical of me. Shoot - I won't even take my kid's various fundraiser candies from school and sports in to work.


Anyway, hope every one has a great year. I won't be watching this thread any longer.

bye

Blaine, I certainly do not blame you for this!! I know I raised my kids to send thank you notes too...only one does it on a regular basis though.

I will write to mine again...see if they answer and become a PEN PAL...LOL

You did good for us Blaine.

Thanks! Jo

Ten-four on that, Roadrunner! Blaine/8ft did great for us! Many thanks!

I was one that really wanted the name of someone to write to, and send surprise pkgs. It was exciting to see you come up with lots of names for everyone here! Many thanks also go out to your son.

"While it's not any of my responsiblity or fault, I do feel sorry and apologize to all who have not had the courtesy of a note acknowledging receipt of your gifts. I really am sorry and feel bad about it but must say I warned all in the beginning you may not hear anything. Especially from the younger ones." (Quoted from 8ft above)

There is no reason to feel sorry nor to apologize for someone else actions or inactions so I'm hoping you can chuck that feeling you're carrying. And yep, you alerted us all to the fact we may not hear anything back.

The way I figger it, a gift is a gift. Period. Give a gift and forget about expecting anything in return. If we expect anything in return then I guess that would be more along the lines of a trade, eh?

As for the penpal thing, I wonder if those folks over there were asked if they wanted penpals or if they wanted to "hear from folks at Home". From what I remember there were so many of them that never receive mail and I'm sure that gives them an empty spot within theirselves; emptiness seems to begat loneliness, too. Sending cards and pkgs was a goal I hope to offer to fill that emptiness. I'm still gonna send some more stuff, as I can. Sure is a whole lotta "void" in a whole lotta people; oftentimes it doesn't take much to help fill it. Laughter helps, and costs nothing! Cards, words, a funny picture, news, etc...each of those works for nearly everyone I've ever met in my life! Yay!

So...again, sending THANKS to Blaine, his son, and the Daves Garden Family!
We all done good, eh? ;>)

8ftbed,

Just wanted to say thanks again for your efforts to the Troops!

What a great opportunity you gave us to send (and will continue to send) stuff to folks who really deserve it :)

My DH taught me long ago that if I ever give a gift or do a good deed and expect anything or any communication in return, then it was never truly a gift on my part. DH is a good teacher:)

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Dagnabbit, Dea...I forgot that part!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! ô¿ô

I really didn't expect to hear back from mine. I did it because I wanted to, not to get a thank you from him. I am the one that needs to thank him for what he's doing for us.

On those forms we had to fill out, I did mark the spot that said "return to sender if package undeliverable. " I did not receive any of my packages back, so I'm assuming they made the trip. That's all I need to know.

Yes, we all did good with this. :) Thanks Blaine, for helping us with the names.

I received an email from my "guy" on 12/18 stating that he had received his package and had just dropped a letter in the mail. Here is is 1/1 and i still havent received it.
Quite possibly the letters are still in transit. I'm sure there will be a few that don't have the manners to say at least say "thanks"
Thanks Blain for the names out there for us to adopt.
Jen

Well either I didn't explain myself well enough here for folks to understand my thoughts, or some members decided to hitch the horse up to the wrong end of the wagon and start driving.

It appears that a thank you card became the main focus of some responses to my post. I didn't feel I had to disclose that someone on a fixed budget was concerned if their package arrived and wanted to send another one, but wanted to make sure they would receive it. It's saddening to read that some folks here automatically assumed it was based upon purely selfish reasons only.

8ftbed is basically our liason in this matter to see if our packages were received. If you don't care that's entirely your business, but if there is a member of that unit whose only package would have been from one of us it's a different story in my eyes. That's why the mail system was mentioned more than once in my post, and I also didn't mind offering to contact Langley AFB to find out actual time periods for packages as well as letters.

God bless all of our servicemembers and I hope they return home soon.

Carol..........When I sent my packages, one of the items I sent was a SASE along with paper, pens, etc. In my mind when these soldiers get a free minute to collect thier thoughts, they will write to the folks who sent them packages. They are over there to fight a war. I'm patient, I can wait....

Deann

Plus up there in one of the soldiers messages he points out it can take from a week to a MONTH for snail mail to make it back here. The guy then said go figure - sounds so familiar.

I never saw this thread or I'd have joined in, and with no expectations of a return receipt... Have you seen what they're dealing with on a DAILY basis? Reality check here.
PATIENCE _this lifetime_ ~Blooms

PS... will see about some local activity in this same venue of giving. Christmas comes but once a year, while this war seems to be becoming a way of life.
TNX 8ft, ya done good mate.

My soldier sent me an email just today. So it does take awhile. He said that some may have been assignment and haven't even picked their package up yet. Still it feels really good to hear from them.

Tina

Good for you, Tina! Jo

Good to know. And to think they could be out on assignment and I was worried about hearing from them.

I am already picking up things for valentine boxes. Might as well take advantage of the flat rate boxes. I hope I hear just to make sure the address worked, but if not, I will go on faith.

We heard from one of our soliders today. Just so you know, I mailed December 6, he received the 12th, sent the letter December 13th and we received today, January 6...

Hank & Vicki,

Thank you so much for the gifts you sent. It's amazing how you found my name on a gardening site. It's so nice to know there are people back home, such as yourselves, willing to show your support for us here and the good we are doing. Your package made it here in plenty of time for Christmas (December 12). I am currently in UAE and should be going back to my wife and 3 children in AL sometime the end of February. Again, thank you for the package and for your kindness.

Well, of course Hank had to read it to me as I was just bawling my head off LOL...I admit it, I'm a crybaby :-)

*snif* blowing my nose as I cry. Jo

Wonderful vic :) And thanks Hank for reading it to her :)

great to hear this news! yay!!

So it really does take a while to get things back and forth, or back.

Woohoo! I received a card today from my penpal and her letter was postmarked 12/26...... I guess I did good because she said my package was awesome, and she shared it with her DH who is also a member of this unit as well. He loved the slim jim's, she loved the pecan pies, and wrote that batteries are always handy because they are in short supply.

What is really surprising is that our birthdays are only a few days apart from each other (we won't mention the difference of years between us though, lol), and we both got married within a couple of days of each other last year as well. ;o)

BloomsWithaView, if you are going to talk the talk then do the walk...... Make it happen.

Carol...good to hear that your "pen-pal" has been intouch! Jo

Just went to the mailbox :) And Happy tears :)

Hi,
My name is Tiffany Ferrer, Elvin's wife. We are currently deployed together. He received your box yesterday. He's not really big on writing and he asked me if I'd write you back and tell you Thank You so much. That meant alot to him. Everything in the box was great! He loved it, me too!

Your gardening group sounds interesting.

A little about us. I'm from North Carolina and I'm Native American, from the Lumbee Tribe. Elvin is originally from Puerto Rico. But lived most of his life in Miami, Florida. He's Puerto Rican. We're both 20. Be 21 in February (13th for Elvin and 20th for me) We'll be celebrating our 1st Anniversary here, Jan 2nd. I'm so excited! We're still newly weds! At least we still act like it.

We are so different. I'm a country girl and he's a city boy! He never listened to country music until he met me and now he loves it! We are stationed out of Maxwell AFB in Alabama. It's ok.

We really appreciate all that you are doing for us. You don't know how much it means to us. We love the support we get. There's not anything in particular we need or want. We're just glad to get mail. It's great. Especially at this time of year.

Well, I gotta get to work, oh, we're both cops. It's an ok job, but I want to cross train next year. It's tough for both of us. Being a cop in the military isn't the easiest job.

Someday I hope to own my own day-care and Elvin wants a bodyshop. I also want a restaurant. Maybe one day we'll have it all!

Thank you once again.

Always,
Tiffany and Elvin Ferrer


Tissue anyone? Michael and I sure hope to have a long written and maybe in person one day relationship with this couple. They're just kids away from home with dreams and goals like all of us and so happy to "get mail". :)

aww, sniff.

That's really cool! Looks like the penpal program is working out great!

Thanks for posting the news, Carol and Dea!

It means as much to us to get a note as it does for them to get a package!

Oh WOW Dea. They are just kids. Imagine being so far from home. God bless them!

I just got a reply from Nesbitt about the class who took that entire roster as a project and that they were all being sent to him to hand out...
I sent that note quite awhile back but noticed that the date on what he received was 15-Jan. Here's his reply

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 09:16:18 +0000

Yes sir we got them and handed them out. Some of them were really funny to read : ) Especially TSgT Kobler’s. He enjoyed his because the kid put some really cool statements for a younger one. Hehe Everyone on flight says Thanks much, and we appreciate all the efforts and care put into making each and every card.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OH! How sweet!! God bless the little children! Jo

Well that's just fantastic! So all went well! Great!

Guess I better get some more cards in the mail!

YIPEE!!

I received a letter from one of my soldiers...a girl named Brandee Simpson. Here is is.....the thins in ( ) are my additions....Jo

Dear Ms Betty Miklovic,

Thank you for thinking of me for X-Mas. The cards and package was very thoughtful of you. Christmas here was quite different for me. First of all I had shorts and a T-shirt on. I'm used to being all covered with a big winter coat and gloves.

I'm originally from St. Louis, MO., and I'm stationed at Scott AFB. Scott is 20 min. from home for me. This year was my first year ever for me being away from home for so many holidays. Although this place is not home, I'm glad that I'm somewhere safe and out of harms way. By the Grace of God my orders were changed a week before I came over here. I was supposed to go to Taliah, Iraq. Right now that is not one of the best places to be. Like you asked, I shared the ??(kool-ties) with the other troops. Again I would like to thank you. You don't know how much that meant. It's always nice to have support from people back home. It's kinda like a little extra motivation to keep you going and it helps you remember what and why you are fighting and serving your country. (!!)

I have 2 more months left and I can hardly wait. Every month I look forward to something new to help the time pass. For the last 4 months I looked forward to the Holidays. Now I'll just look forward to Valentine's Day and my Birthday, then it should be all over.

Thanks for all the love sent through the mail. It was greatly appreciated.

Brandee Simpson


Now wasn't that worth waiting for??? YEP! It was mailed on Jan. 2nd...I didn't get it until yesterday...Jan. 24th.Jo