Letters From Troops

The following are letters from troops after receiveing care packages:

Greetings from Afghanistan! My name is 1stSgt Chris Garza and my team, ETT 2-8, was the recent recipient of a care package sent to me from your Local Heroes Support Network. As requested, attached is a picture of some of my guys posing with some of the "hygiene kits" that were sent to us. Fortunately we get showers on a pretty regular basis, so these certainly are coming in handy. Thank you for your support and service. Semper Fi!

R/S,
Chris Garza

1stSgt, USMC
FOB Joyce, Afghanistan

Pictured L to R: 1stSgt Garza, 1stLt Fabayo, GySgt Miller, Maj Williams, SSgt Rodriguez, and Cpl Norman.

To our supporters,

On Behalf of the Marines and Sailors of Headquarters Battery, I would like to personally thank you for all of the support and kind words of appreciation you have sent to us. I could never fathom the amount of support, enthusiasm, and generosity that you, the patriots on the home front, have shown us. All of the packages were received with enthusiasm and have been distributed and put to good use. As a result of your kindness and support, our spirits and morale have been lifted considerably. When the days grind on and duties become difficult, the Marines and Sailors of Headquarters Battery know that it is all worth it because they have the comforting thoughts, support, and prayers of the American public behind them. Even the smallest bit of praise goes such a long way for many of us here. It is because of fellow patriots such as yourselves that we are able to do what we do and accomplish the mission at hand. I really wish that I could write an individual letter to each and every one of you to thank you for your kind donation, but I must say that I would spend the remainder of my time here in Afghanistan writing letters. Consider this my personal "Thank You" on behalf of the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion 11th Marines.

Semper Fidelis,

1stSgt Jason J. Hanson

Headquarters Battery, 3/11

Travis Manion Foundation,

Thank you so much for the awesome Arbonne gift bags. I took one for each of my tent mates and it put huge smiles on everybody's faces. We all enjoyed them so much. That was truly an amazing gift for us our here. I am a reservist with HMH-772 out of Willow Grove. Because of your contribution and continued support of the troops deployed your son's memory and what he accomplished will continue to live on.

Semper Fi,

Sarah

Lt Col, USMC

Travis Manion Foundation,

WOW!!! We received your packages today! Amazing to see the effort, time
and resources put into supporting our Marines here. We will be getting
them out to all of our Marines in the coming week.

Thank you again!

Chaplain Mabus

To the Good People of the Travis Manion Foundation,

Chaplain Mabus and I received your care packages and are distributing them amongst our Marines and Sailors. Thank you for your extraordinary generosity. Until we received your packages, I did not know that a foundation has been set up in 1LT's memory. I did not know the Lieutenant personally but I did attend his funeral mass. At the time I was with MAG-49 and several of us went to pay our respects. The reason I mention this is because what you are doing is a great way to honor his memory and remember his sacrifice for Christmas. Our Marines and Sailors greatly appreciate your support and generosity. My current unit -Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 Cabo from NAS JRB Willow Grove is currently in Iraq/ Al Anbar completing the mission that he gave his life for. Again, thank you for your generosity.

Merry Christmas / Happy Hanukkah / Happy New Year!

RP1 (FMF) Bryan Dickerson

Travis Manion Foundation,

I wanted to write and say thank you for the wonderful care package I received from your group. I read up on your cause and I must say that it feels great to know that there are people out there like you who truly appreciate what it is that we do. I think that there are too many people out there who "support our troops", and fail to realize the mission that we are accomplishing, much less the feelings and beliefs of the individual soldier or service member. I am currently in my 5th month of my fourth deployment for a grand total of 56 months deployed. I was with the 82 Airborne division during the initial invasion of Iraq and have since been to Afghanistan 3 times, twice with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and now again with the 82nd, all as a Forward Observer and Fire Support NCO. I mention this not to brag about the amount of combat that I've endured, but to show you guys just how dedicated we are to the defense of freedom for all of you back at home. I have been here more than most, but the majority of my peers aren't that far behind me in the deployment realm.
As for the package, all of the items will be put to good use by my soldiers. I have created a little logistical supply line thorough my wonderful wife that ensures that I have everything I need to survive overseas, but a lot of soldiers aren't fortunate enough to have an angel at home. I made sure to take everything from the box and distributed it too these guys, and it was all received with smiles and loads of gratitude. I also ensured that they knew where it all came from and the cause that it supported.
In closing I want to thank you again and leave you with a quick thought: My work isn't done for recognition or for personal gain. I do what needs to be done because I am the best at what I do and it is a job that must be done by someone. The sacrifices I make seem minute when you consider of the magnitude of what is at stake; freedom from fear. Again, thank you for your support and always remember that we care.

Sincerely,
SFC T.S. Carpenter
4th BDE 82nd Airborne Division

To everyone at the Travis Manion Foundation whose support is greatly appreciated,

Our platoon would like to extend our thanks for the care packages your organization has provided us. Our platoon is currently engaged in operations in the Anbar province providing base and forward support throughout the region. We specialize in power and electrical operation, as well as water and HVAC support as needed. During this holiday period, it is nice to be reminded of what we are over here for and of the support of persons such as yourself. Every member of the platoon greatly appreciates the snacks and hygiene supplies provided to us by your organization and have already put many of the supplies to use.

From a very thankful group of Marines,

UT platoon, MWSS 472

Travis Manion Foundation,

Wow! You guys go all out! Thank you so much. We have been able to get all of the other sets of care packages out to the troops. This book donation is huge. We will be sure to put them to good use. We will also push them out to other units that may be running United Through Reading Programs. We are beginning to prepare to return to the states in the coming months. Thank you so much for your support while we have been over here. Happy Holidays!

Fidelis autem Deus est,

LT John Mabus

Squadron Chaplain

Marine Wing Support Squadron 472

Travis Manion Foundation,

Thanks for your support! My Marines and I really are grateful for all those who stand behind us. We could not do this without you!

Semper Fi!

Capt. J.P. Kausek, USMC