Thank you for the package.  I got one yesterday.  It had a lot of good stuff in there.  Quite a few things I haven’t even had before.  And I gave a few of the things I couldn’t use to some of my buddies, and they were appreciative.  I love when I see my name on the mail list, and then when its a pacakge, it's even that much better.  So thanks a lot. 
SPC  Ryan Bell

Hello Operation SOS from Iraq. My name is Spc Stimpson, Terry. I just got back from a mission and received your package. I really appreciate the package and all the great things in it. I wanted to send special thanks out to everyone that helped put them together to mail, those you helped cook the great cookies, all those great kids for painting the tubes and those who sold so many donuts. Those from the Hallmark for all the Christmas cards, the FFA for filling bottles of detergent. And to all the family and organizations that helped with them in the smallest of ways. And I want to send a special thanks to the three lovely moms that start the whole thing. I really appreciate each and every person that helped. Again, Thank You all!!

SPC Stimpson, Terry

Just received your packages! The CH-47 Chinook helicopter that flew them up from Kandahar was lifting a generator that got unstable and had to be cut away from about 600 feet; luckily the packages were palletized inside the aircraft! Nothings easy here in Afghanistan.

From the detergent in the plastic bottle to the hand-made cards the kids made it's apparent that a lot of care and consideration went into the packages. I’ve heard stories from teachers about some parents not allowing their children to send cards to soldiers because they don’t support our cause. The detergent is in a container just the right size to take out to the firebases without spilling its contents all over the inside of a rucksack. I’ve had to wash my socks in a mountain stream more often than I’d like. 

Just when you think you’re forgotten and you think folks back home are too busy with their daily lives, folks like you put things in perspective and provide that boost that every soldier needs for the long haul

I’ve got about 15 guys who work with the Afghanistan National Army here in, Oruzgan Province. I’ll gladly “spread the wealth”

MAJ KEITH E. DINN Team Chief AFGHANISTAN

I received the most wonderful box yesterday from your organization.  A heartfelt thank you to you and all the volunteers who made this possible.  What a great idea!!  The box arrived in record time and the contents were in good shape.  I shared some of the contents with my Soldiers.  The cookies are wonderful and still fresh (I didn't share too many of those:-)).  Thank you so much for your support.  I can't tell you how much it means to all the Soldiers serving in Iraq. 

We appreciate all the hard work and time it took to prepare and send these packages.
Please pass along to all your volunteers a big THANK YOU for their time, energy, and thoughtfulness.  Each and every one of you are heroes to us.  May God Bless all of you.
MAJOR MARIA A. BIANK

Just wanted to say thank you to all that had a hand in sending the care package...There were alot of great items and idea's in the package... I was very impressed...

Thanks again to everyone involved...

                                                        Brian Van Winkle 891st eng.bn.

Thank you so much for the packages.  To receive candy, detergent, food, and letters from the kids has been a tremendous morale booster!!!  The chocolate cookies were delicious and tasted fresh!  We shared the packages with the Special Forces over here who truly appreciate your work in sending them!  We are constantly in the “field” trying to kill the bad guys so things are not so positive!  But, little things such as what you did make a huge difference!  Thank you!

LTC Manuel DeGuzman

HOOAH!, Ma'am

Just wanted to let you know that we received the boxes/packages earlier this week.  Our internet has been down for the last 2-3 days and I haven’t been able to email you.  Thank you so much for getting those coordinated through the SOS group.  We truly appreciate you.   

Thank you again

SSG Sanchez

Thank you again for all that you have done for the soldiers in my company. It cheered a lot of the soldiers up because some of them don't get care packages, whether they don't have supportive friends and family, or people who can afford to send them packages. It was great seeing those personnel's faces. Thank-You. SPC  Tia Sells
 

I just received a second package in the mail from Operation SOS yesterday.  I'm sorry for not thanking you after I got the first but things were somewhat hectic around the TOC at the time.  Anyway, your organization is amazing to be sending things over to people you don't even know just to help soldiers.  I can't thank you enough simply for caring enough to do it. 

Have a great day,

 Ben Stephan

Hello, my name is Jennifer Barloon and I am from the 394th CSB.  We have been receiving your care packages and we have really enjoyed them.  It's nice to get things that make living here just that much more bearable.  It kinda makes you feel at home.  Thank you very much for taking the time to help remind us that people really do appreciate what we are doing and that the rest of the world hasn't forgotten about us.
Thank you from all the females in my unit!

Hello!!!  Season's Greetings from the desert.  Just wanted to take a minute to thank you all for the packages that have been sent throughout our deployment.  Getting mail makes everyone's day brighter.  You all are wonderful!!!  Your support has been amazing.  Hope you all enjoy the holidays.  Don't know how we would survive without the contact with you all and our families.  All you do is appreciated so much.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  Hope to see you soon.      SGT  Carmen White

Thanks for the package!!!!!   You have made alot of 388 Soldiers' days with the family support packages.  As I've said before, you can never really know just how much the packages and YOU have helped with morale here.  Words in emails can never come close to the true feelings of appreciation!
THANKS AGAIN!

SSG CUDNEY

How are you doing Ma'am? I am a Soldier in the 172nd who was been deployed with your son SGT Kastle here in Iraq since the beginning. I am a member of Bco. 2nd PLT. I'm just writing you today to thank you for the wonderful gifts that you sent. You can't imagine how a gesture like that can raise the morale and spirits of a soldier in need. I don't really get much in the mail, and we kind of make a big joke out of it. It's not that I don't have family or anything, it's just that they're very busy, and I would prefer that they do not waste money on me...So when that package came in, knowing that someone in the rear cared enough to actually buy gifts for ALL the soldiers is beyond me! I really appreciate your hospitality and wish that there was some way I could show it. Thanks again, and I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. I know mine will be a little brighter with the gifts you sent!
Gratefully yours,
PFC Lao
172nd Med Log
Mosul, Iraq

I would just like to thank you for the packages that you have sent.  It means a lot to know that we are remembered over here.  I am very thankful for all that you've done!

With All My Heart~ Lynn Dee Pfaff

just wanted to thank you both for all of the work that you do with Operation SOS   There are soldiers such as myself who rarely get packages or letters.  When I receive something from SOS it always makes me excited and brings a smile to my face.  It is nice to know that somebody back in the states is thinking of me as well as my fellow soldiers.  Thank you for all of your hard work.  God bless Thank You,
SGT Waldschmidt

I would like to take this time to extend my most sincere thank you to all of those that participated in Operation Support Our Soldiers.  Showing that you care, through the sending of care packages, letters and emails are truly appreciated.  Small things such as that do wonders to uplift our spirits when we get down being so far from family and friends and seeing so much negativity on the news, in the forms of celebrities and politicians voicing opposition to continued activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Thank you, again, for the care packages that you have sent over.

 SSG David Metzler

I sent a card yesterday with some pictures in it and lots of thanks.  Y'all are wonderful and you've really helped pick up a lot of soldiers' spirits for the holidays.  This is the first time many of these young folks have been away from home for the holidays and y'all have really made a difference.  Please pass along our thanks to all of the volunteers and contributing agencies.  We are truly grateful.  And by the way, I'm thinking of putting all of my laundry detergent in pop bottles once I get home!  That was great!   Have a safe, joyous holiday season

With great respect and humble gratitude

Ben Chlapek  LTC, MS

Thanks so much for including me and my soldiers in Operation SOS.  I deeply appreciate it.  As usual you continue to lead the way in supporting soldiers who are deployed.  Just know that your work is much appreciated and does a tremendous amount of good.  I am so impressed at the list of contributors that you have managed to put together.  It means a lot to know that so many people appreciate the soldiers and the sacrifices that they make.  Of course, like you I have the distinction of knowing about the sacrifices made by the ones who stay behind.  I can tell you having been on both sides of a deployment now,  I know that without a doubt the harder job is being at home.  I don't think most people understand just how difficult it is supporting a soldier who is deployed.  I understand totally so I am able to appreciate more than most what a tremendous sacrifice it is.

 Please pass on my thanks to all of the volunteers who make Operation SOS possible

Mark Massaglia

Just got the package today. Thank you all so much. The support is so appreciated.  In reading the letter I was amazed at all the work that was done on our behalf.  Freedom isn't free and what we do is for all of you back home.  Tell all your people thank you and may God bless you all
 Sincerely SFC Ted Chamberlain

I am CPT Rick Radford, I am currently serving in Iraq. I received a package the other day and helped distribute the items to soldiers. I would like to thank you for everything that you do. I have eaten some of the cookies you sent.... delicious!!! Thank you for your kindness and I appreciate you. We are safe and doing great things here. I am proud to be here and to service my country.

My name is CPT. Rob Ukleya.  I am a reservist with the 325th Combat Support Hospital (Independence, MO) stationed in Afghanistan.  I recently received one of your gift boxes.  I want to thank you VERY much for this kind gesture.  It is very nice to know that there are individuals like your self that support our troops deployed overseas.  Please relay my thanks to all of those involved in this effort.  It is appreciated.  Have a happy holiday season and may GOD bless you and your family.