To whom it may concern:
Hi how are you? I am Gunnery Sergeant McIntire, but you can call me Gunny for short.... and I am serving in Iraq with a Border Transition Team 422 in Al Qaim region. I received a care package from the Caring for Troops last week and finally got around to opening it, and in which I found it contained about 20 or so of your calendars. I began to pass all them out yesterday and before I knew it I had only one left. I had to go out for a mission, and when I returned I took a second to rest and finally have some relaxation; well this is when I was able to pick up your calendar and open it for the first time. I think I skipped all the months, but went to the back page where the writing was and to read that first. I was inspired by reading about Lance Corporal Randy Lee Newman.... a fine young man, a Marine in which I am responsible for because I enlisted him into the Marines. By the way, I was the Marine Recruiter in Bend, Oregon that enlisted him.... there isn't a day I can't not think about him, because of what he did, what he gave and what he meant to me....I remember meeting his unit last year in Al Asad, days before hand.... and to this day the day when I found out the news. I realized two things about him, he was a man of god, and he was always full of energy... qualities I will never forget. Anyways, I didn't even look at the calendar only turning to the month of August for some reason. It wasn't because of my birthday but only to look at the month in a glance and to see if there was any annotation about Randy. I don't know why I did it and why I expected anything different. I am sorry I couldn't view the whole thing. Well this is from all the Marines here who saw the calendar, they appreciate it!!! They have asked for me to write a letter or email thanking you.... they could take a time to view the whole thing and know the hard work that was put into it. Its appreciated like I said, and saying thanks for your support back home.
Semper Fidelis,
Gunny
Subject: Awesome Calendars!
I received your package today and was extremely surprised to see you added
four more calendars to my order. Needless to say, the calendars were
quickly taken by the troops in my office. These are the best calendars I
have seen yet. I guess the reason behind them makes them even better. I'm
a retired Army Officer and wished I had these when I was in Iraq. I took
another look at your website and read that thousands have been donated to
the troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. W/all due respect to those
brave troops, I believe you forgot the brave troopers at Joint Task
Force-Guantanamo. Some of these guys and gals guard the “baddest of the bad” and usually get no recognition for it. All you see in the media is
how badly the detainees are being care for (which is BS). I was hoping you
could send some of your donated calendars this way. I can provide addresses
for the senior enlisted persons in each of the JTF units if needed.
J. Garcia
GTMO
Military Troops Calendar Replied:
WOW, you guys and gals are amazing, this makes everything we do, which is
small in comparison, truly rewarding.
Absolutely, Thank you so much for your response. Anything and all we can, we will. I actually received an email from Task Force-Guantanamo and have calendars on there way there, not sure if it's the same you can provide, but bring it on. I can only imagine from the stories what happens and what they risk everyday.
Again, Thank you so much and yes, send me addresses and I will get them to our troops.
God Bless you, Be Safe
Debra - Military Troops Calendar
Dear Sir or Ma'am, We just got some coppies of your 2008 calendar and wanted to say THANKS! It put a smile on our faces while we are all gone from our friends and families this holiday season. Would also like to thank the beautiful women for their words of inspiration, prayers, and thanks. Thank you all for you time and efforts to support the troops.
SSgt Matt Ruffo
US Air Force
Kuwait
That was a quick response! I believe I emailed you on the 18th of December and the calenders arrived in the mail on New Years Eve. From all the guys in Electrical Power Production, Ammo Storage, and Aerial Port Operations, thank you for the much appreciated calenders.
SSgt Darren Jones
386 ECES/CEOP
SW Asia
Hello. I am a drill sergeant stationed at Fort Benning and I would like to thank all of you for your support and the calendar you produced. I lived in Prineville for a year and loved the area. I just watched the segment on Fox News that says there are people who don't like the idea of honoring our fallen like that. Who are they to decide whats right or wrong to send our troops. The love it, so they should keep their conservative mouth shut and let our soldiers view what they want to. Again thank you for all you've done for us.
Sincerely,
Glen Burkhsrt
Staff Sergeant
United States Army
Several of our Soldiers here received the 2007 calendar and many more have perused the pages. The pictures reminded me of the pin-up-girl posters of WW 2 and the troops saying "That's what we're fighting for, boys!" Clearly, the calendar has had a very positive impact.
While we, here in the headquarters, do not go into harm's way, many of our Soldiers do. Keep them in your thoughts & wish them the best. You do not need to thank us....you are all worth the fight; and we will win this fight.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Morgan Smiley
MAJ, INF
WOW, Thank you so much....I will pass them out to everyone I know Thanks for your Unlimited Support...
David A. Bliss Jr
SSG, USA
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Thank you! I got my calendar yesterday. I really like it! I didn't realize right away that it was from my home state! I was born and raised in the Salem area and plan on returning once I get out of the army in a year, or so. That 1968 Charger on the back is my dream car! Thank for the calendar.
You all are the best.
Respectfully,
SSG Ryan Harter
I don’t know who sent these to us but I just received one of your great calendars. I’m a citizen soldier from Salem serving in Kabul Afghanistan with the 41st Brigade Combat Team training the Afghan National Army to defend their country. Please let Steve Root know that his 59 Corvette motivates me to get back home and to start working on my 1959 Corvette again (same color scheme). Please pass my Email on to him I my need some advice in a few months it’s almost overwhelming to start back to work on my project again after a years layoff I may not know where to start.
Frank E. Flux
LTC, EN, USA
Chief of Staff
A fellow soldier hear received one from Soldiers Angels. There are probably 10 to 12 of me fellow soldiers that would love to receive one.
If they came in a box I would be more than happy to distribute them.
Shawn Garland
