troop letter: Lt Col Tony

June 13, 2009

Mr. Williams,

I am a personal friend of Lt Col John . 

He and I have been
deployed together here at the Headquarters, International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) Compound, in Kabul, Afghanistan since February.

John has shared several of your care package items with me and the
troops at my unit here (the U.S. National Support Element - US NSE).
Also, he has frequently dropped-off care package items at the 24-hour
morale room that we operate at the US NSE - open for all Americans in
the camp.  At the 24-hr morale room, we offer sofas, TVs, telephones,
and computers for use around the clock as well as newspapers, paperback
books, hygiene items, and snacks free for service members to have for
their personal use.  I just wanted to drop you an email to give a very
warm-hearted thanks for all that you and your group of volunteers do to
take care of the troops.....right here at the ISAF compound, you have
had an impact beyond what you can even imagine.

As you are certainly aware, it’s often difficult to find things over
here that Americans are accustomed to being able to grab during a quick
trip to a store down the street.  Having personal items arrive in the
mail is an absolute blessing to our troops and it gives a sense of
knowing that there are people who care for us at home.  Many of the
other countries who are represented here at the ISAF compound are truly
impressed at the overwhelming support that Americans like you have for
the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Marines who serve representing the
United States.

Just tonight, along with my Gunnery Sergeant and a half dozen of our
troops, while sitting on the top deck at our building, we all lit-up
cigars that were delivered in one of your packages to Lt Col Brewster.
I mentioned to the guys what a privilege it is to have great patriotic
supporters back home - and that the cigars came-in through the mail
compliments of “Support Our Troops” and it set the mood of that round of
cigars as one of complete pride......pride in knowing that the trips
outside the wire that they do on a daily basis is appreciated by
Americans they haven’t met before.

Once again, I’d like to say “thanks” at least a million times....and
that still wouldn’t be enough.  What you do encourages our troops in
ways that can’t be put into words.

On behalf of the 900 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines under my
command here at the ISAF compound, I want to let you know that we
greatly appreciate your efforts and thank you for doing what you do to
help make life a bit better for those who serve in harm’s way.

Sincerely,
Lt Col Tony