Letter from a Marine...

Patriotic Americans, October 8, 2005

I wanted to take a minute to express my sincere appreciation for al the boxes that continually arrive in Iraq for the Iraqi children and the Marines. Through efforts such as these we are able to do more then just fight the enemy. The care package items give the children hope and brighten their days. We win the hearts and minds of the people one at a time. The packages have the same effect on the Marines- they know that the American public has not forgotten them. It is especially heart warming for the Marines to receive items from people, communities, organizations, school and colleges where no one even knows the Marines. Too often, the atmosphere nationwide is negative towards the President and our military. Care package projects show that people really do support the United States fighting men and women.

I have had the distinct pleasure of handing out items to the Iraqi children as well as the Marines. The generosity of the American public always puts a smile on their faces. Once again, tomorrow I will deliver items for the Iraqi schools and the students. Although there are risks, as Marines we are happy to perform missions of good will. Last week we had one Marine killed and another wounded by an enemy sniper on a similar mission. His death shows you the kind of enemy we are fighting, the kind of enemy that will shoot people in the process of helping children. The items for the Marines are constantly being distributed to out front line Marines. What an amazing difference snack items can make to a Marine who has been eating MREs for weeks or months at a time.

Please share this letter with additional people that help you collect items for the Marines and Iraqi children. Feel free to contact me via email and I will provide you with some photographs as well as my newsletter. CrowleyTM@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

LtCol Tim Crowley
2ndNAW Field Historian
MWHS-2, Det A
Unit 78092
FPO AE 09502-8092

LtCol Gene Sole
6th CAG, Det 3, Det HQ CDR
Unit 72068
FPO AE 09509-2068

I am scheduled to leave Iraq at the end of November. Items for the Iraqi children can be mailed directly to LtCol Sole who will remain in Iraq until approximately February. I will have to provide a new address for care packages shipped to Marines via email. Once again, thank you.

Semper Fi,
LtCol Tim Crowley

-Emily and I received this letter after sending a care package to some Marines; I thought it appropriate to share it with you. You can also get involved in sending care packages and letters to soldiers through soldiersangels.com, where you can adopt your own soldier.

God bless our troops!
Jennifer