troop letter: Well, the final count

December 30, 2010

.  Well, the final count on boxes that arrives was 215 boxes.

Hi Bob,

1.  Well, the final count on boxes that arrives was 215 boxes.  The chaplains
took what they wanted and then had me give out the rest to all the squadron
First Sergeants to pass out to their squadron personnel.  I told them as they
came to get boxes to send me emails and I would forward the emails on to you,
but I have not gotten any as of yet, so I will do my own to you.

I wish to send out my sincere gratitude for the support that your
organization has provided to all the men and women of the 4 branches of the
Armed Forces.  Your diligent efforts to keep the morale high for the troops
serving away from home, is greatly appreciated.  Everyone who has gotten items
from the packages that you have sent has been greatly enjoyed.  It has been my
deepest and sincere privilege to act as an ambassador for your organization
stressing to everyone how much work you and your organization put into keeping
the morale high of all the troops so that they may continue to be focused on
the mission.  It is indeed my honor to continue the legacy of those that I
serve with today, those that have served before me, and those that have given
the ultimate sacrifice.  When I took my oath of enlistment 23 1/2 years ago I
took my oath of enlistment to heart:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey
the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the
officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of
Military Justice. So help me God.

Now, 23 1/2 years later I still take that oath to heart as my career is
winding down.  When I talk to the younger troops and about why they joined the
military, they sometimes give me excuses for joining.  I remind them that they
raised their hand voluntarily and everything that they are given while serving
is things that are provided by our country for willing to sacrifice ourselves
while serving our country.  I tell them that those words are not just words,
but that they are setting precedence for others to follow and for them to lead
by example as those before us have done.  That they are ensuring that their
children and every child in the United State grow up with the freedom to do
and say whatever they want and defending those who do not have the ability to
defend themselves.

When I joined the U.S. Air Force 23 1/2 years ago, I took a cut in pay and
every one of my friends thought I was crazy for joining the military and
taking a cut in pay. Yes financially it was hard at first, but I told them
then and I still say it today: “something in my heart and soul told me it was
the right thing to do.” My father (Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, MOS:
9505) and my father-in-law (Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant) were both
very proud of me for following in their footsteps.

2.  I got 4 more boxes in just yesterday (2-chips, 1-snacks, 1-coffee and
snacks.) I hope you and all of you volunteers had a very merry Christmas and
I hope you have a wonderful New Year holiday.  Don’t party too much this New
Year’s Eve.  Thanks for all you do!!