Dave Huntoon

Ruth Ann Young and the gang,

I just wanted to thank all of you so much for your support and generosity. My platoon and I are currently serving in Baquba, Iraq and had a wonderul Christmas thanks to your great care packages. I\'ve attached a link to some photos of the guys opening your great packages!

Christmas in Iraq

Kelly Flynn

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for sending us care packages. It really warms the heart to know that there are still people out there who think of us and pray for our safe return. thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedule to make so many peoples day a little brighter!

Ann Margaret "Viet Nam 1966"

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second inline, it was soon Rich ard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear She then posed for pictures and acted as if he were the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.

Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you'd like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

Sean Moore

Your boxes of gifts are being distributed to individual soldiers and civilians this very morning! We appreciate your kind generosity. Blessings to you.

Bruce Mousseau

Hello, I would like to thank you for the package. This is my second tour over here, my first one durning the holidays season. It means alot to me to see a little of home come to us. Thank-you so much

Craig Richardt

I wanted to say a "Big Thank You" to all the children who wrote letters to us. Receiving the box of goodies has put many smiles on our faces. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. I hope all of you have a Happy Holiday season and may God Bless You!

Jennifer

Hello. This evening, I received a package from your orgaization. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time and effort to support all of the troops who are deployed overseas. You have all truely touched our hearts and we appreciate everything that you do for us.

When I left home, my step-mom signed me up for various support projects (without me knowing. I've gotten many cards and care packages with more things that I could possibaly use in my four month deployment. So I shared my stuff with others who seemed like they needed it more than I did.

I found a forum for one of the organizations while browsing the internet one day. I said thank you to them, just as I am doing so to you. Their response was "No. Thank YOU! You are the one who is putting your life on the line for us. It's the least we can do."

The truth is, though, that it's not the least you can do. Not at all. You see, without those who are at home to show their support for us, we wouldn't be able to fight as well as we do. If we didn't know how much you care about us... If we had any doubt in our minds about how much support we really get from home... It would make the fight so much harder than it is. So what some people may think of as being small, really isn't that small at all. It's actually something very great.

So, with all that being said... From the bottom of my heart... THANK YOU! Very much!!!

Michael Shaub

I just recieved a box in the mail from your organization filled with awesome gifts. The box contents that were extremely cool: thick winter socks, titanium quattro razor, Magnetix "toy", a book and a couple of very touching letters. It was almost as if the person sending the box knew me personally. This is my first Christmas away from home and thanks to you and the love attached to these gifts, I feel a little closer to home. Thank you.

Randy Kania

Thank you all for the work, effort, and time you gave to put together and mail us those care packages. It is always nice to get things from the States but it just seems a little sweeter when it comes from the local community where we are from! Thank you again for your support and all that you do for us. God Bless and have a Merry Christmas!

Randy White

Good Morning All, I would like to personally THANK all of you who took the time and put forth effort to support our deployed Troops. I am First Sergeant for a Maintenance Group deployed in the AOR and I was delighted to be able to hand out your wonderful Care Packages yesterday to my Airman. They were very appreciative and I just wanted to say Thanks for thinking of us during the Holidays.

Sheffey Martin

I wanted to personnaly thank you for the support that you have given to the military members over here. I am currently deployed to Kyrgzstan, and I am away from my wife and three young children this holiday season. The support your organization has showed truly means a lot. Thank you for all you do, and please pass all my thanks to those who have put time and effort into this organization. May you have a wonderful holiday season.

James Moenning

Hi. I just wanted to thank you for all of the packages that you guys sent to us over here. It's always nice to get care packages over here and even more so around the holidays, so thanks again.

Anthony Isaac

On behalf of our team here at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, I would like to thank everyone for the thoughtful Care Packages we recieved. We have been deployed here for about 3 months from just down the road from you at McChord AFB, WA. I would like to be able to forward a digital picture. Do you have an email address I could send it to?

David Cerutti

Praise God! Thanks for ALL the Christmas boxes. Fires Squadron recieved all our boxes for 400 Soldiers. I received an email from the Assemblies of God Chaplaincy in November stating that you would send packages - and you definetly did. You are such a blessing. Pray for our troops for God\'s protection and their families. One Soldier came to my office today to help me open boxes. Actually he came to talk, agian. He did not sleep last night worried about his wife and marriage. Sunday I spoke with a Soldier on his third marriage and fearful he may loose his wife, again. It is a scary fact that large numbers of Soldiers may lose their family and home at the end of the deployment. Pray for our Soldiers and their families. God Bless you in all you do. Thanks

Thank you for your continuing support. Blessings to you and your loved ones this upcoming Christmas season.

Ruth Ann Young