Letters from Iraq - In this section, we will post communications from soldiers who are receiving support through this program.

Received 1-7-08

Hello and greetings from Iraq.  We received some more care packages recently from your organization, thank you very much.  The outpouring of support from the state of Kentucky and the nation at large has been very heartwarming.  Attached is a picture of some of us with some kids Northeast of Baghdad.  We take parts of our care packages and share with these kids whenever we see them.  If nothing else we will make sure that the dentist of Iraq are kept in business filling cavities!  Thanks again for your support, you cant imagine how much good it does for my Soldiers to be able to interact with these kids and be able to share with them.  It humanizes what we do here and lets us remember a positive face for the country. 

 Robert S. Mattingly

CPT, FA, KYARNG                       

B 2-138th FA

Received 11-17-07

Thanks so much for the care packages.  I assure you that they are well received and appreciated.  We have taken all the movies and started our own library for people to check in and out.  I will send you some photos for you to share in the near future.  Until then, thanks for your kindness.

Steve Mattingly, Commander

Bravo Battery, 2-138th Field Artillery

Received 9-7-07

Thank you for your care packages. I distributed them to the men of one
of my platoons. We'll be returning to Kentucky before long and won't be
able to recive anymore packages. It is always good to know good folks
like you are supporting our efforts here. Attached is a picture of 1SG
Dewayne Bunch giving the kids of Al Furat some candy during one of our
patrols. Again, Thank you!

Joseph D. Lear
CPT, IN
Commander, HHC, 1-149 IN
DSN 318-835-1109
"MOUNTAIN WARRIORS"

Received 8-16-07

Mr. Underwood, thanks a bunch for the two boxes of goodies you sent. My guys went wild when I opened them and let them have the stuff. Also thanks for the KY Col for me that was very thoughtful and much appreciated. Things here are going as well as can be. Things are heating up around here and not just the weather. So we just try and keep all my Ky boys as safe as I can, and make sure I bring them all home to their families. We only have about 30 days left here and everyone is looking forward to getting home. The work has not slowed down in fact it has picked up here. But that's OK as you know the KY boys are always up to whatever task is put in front of them. I have served with a lot of Soldiers in my 30 + years and I can say that I have never had the pleasure to serve with a finer bunch of Soldiers than the ones with me. I attribute that to the fact that you can find no better Soldiers, civilians, fathers, brothers, sons and husbands than Ky men. And I think that we brought the cream of Ky's crop with us. Again I can't say how much that my guys and I appreciate how much you have done for us on the deployment. You all are  true Americans and Kentuckians and I know for a fact that the 2-123rd AR BN will not forget your time and effort that you put into making this deployment better for a few Kentuckians. I am not much for words and I have said more than I normally do in a week but it needed said. Again Thanks from myself and the 2-123rd AR Bn "Orphans" You said in your letter you wanted pictures to show people so here are a couple of pictures of my guys and a couple of me out on patrol.

CSM Michael D. Wilson
2-123 AR (RAOC)

Received 7-17-07

I am an Officer with the Kentucky National Guard deployed to Baghdad.  I, along with several other soldiers in my unit, received packages from you over the last several months.  I wanted to write and sincerely thank you and your team for your kindness and hard work.  It is not taken for granted. 

Received 4-15-07

Thanks for all the support from you all.  Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you all, but ever since my boots have touched ground here, I have been on the go all of the time.  Well, I am in the double digits so hopefully I will be coming home soon.    If you have any questions, I will answer to the best of my ability.  Take care.  Oh and I have attached pictures of me and the guys so enjoy. 

SPC Scott Butler, MNFI CMD GRP CG PSD

Received 3-1-07

I received your package and as you asked, I am sending you a confirmation.  Thank you so very much for taking the time to do something like this for us.  It definitely brightens our day.  It makes me feel good that some people, such as yourselves, care about soldiers without even ever having met them.  I myself am from Louisville.  Chances are we might have crossed paths.  Louisville is the biggest little city as you might know.  Thank you again for your support. 

Lt. Robert Anderson (Louisville)

Received 3-1-07

Well, as you know by now, my name is Ricky Montgomery.  What you might not know is that I am 22 years old, born in Germany and half Korean.  I have been pretty busy over here, and I'm sorry that this letter is far overdue.  Inside I've included this picture of me sporting the necklaces and letters I received (also having a Blow Pop.)  The unit I am in is a busy one, so it will be hard to get a group photo.  I really appreciate the Care Packages you've sent me.  Please thank everyone that helped with them, including Jill, Logan,and Matt. (Children who made Valentine's cards. Editor)  Again, I really appreciate the packages and prayers.   Thanks for your support, Ricky Montgomery.

P.S. Tell Matt (child who sent Valentine) that I'm a Colts and Louisville fan also!

 

Received 2-21-07

Thank you very much for the package. (Valentine's)  it was enjoyed by me and my guys.  I opened the package and my guys attacked me like a pack of hungry wolves.  They did give me back the valentine's cards after a while.  I would be my pleasure to write the children that sent the cards.  I will add it with this letter.  As for pictures, I will do my best to find some.  Also, thanks for the children's stuff.  I know that the Iraqi children will love it.  Like all kids, they love toys and candy, but they also love to get pencils, pens and paper.  So they will love the stuff you sent.  Again, I can't say enough in the way of thanks for the work that you are doing and for the care packages you send.  It helps to brighten an otherwise dark time in a lot of Soldier's lives, not to mention my own.  Please keep the faith and the good works up.  You can't imagine how much this helps the Soldiers to just receive a little something from home. 

Thanks,

Michael D. Wilson, Command Sergeant Major KYARNG, Al Qayarrah, Iraq

Received 2-21-07

I can't begin to tell you how much your kindness and concern touches me.  Please, tell all the children that the candy was much appreciated.  Although my teeth may not have been too happy, my taste buds were overjoyed.

I'm hand writing this letter not only because I wanted to show my appreciation to the kids for taking their time to make those beautiful cards for me, but also to show that it never hurts to thank you all personally for all the hard work and effort you put into supporting your troops.  That's what we are - YOUR TROOPS.  Without our loved ones back home, we wouldn't have anyone to defend, would we?

The necklaces you all sent will make an Iraqi child happy.  I personally won't be able to deliver them, but I'll personally make sure they get into the hands of someone's who can.  My company (410th QM, Danville) guard the perimeter of our base. (Camp Taji)  We stand in towers and make sure nobody tries to get us when everybody inside the base is working hard doing their jobs. 

I'll send some pictures of some of the vehicles we get to drive as well as of some other cool things, too.  Just make sure to check the (KSAE) e-mail every once in a while. 

Once again, thank you for all of your support and love.  As for as anything I need, the candy was plenty, your cards and thoughts and prayers are all any soldier needs. 

Tell all your friends and family that we're doing our best to end this war on terrorism and that we'll be home soon.  If not, it was an honor to serve great people such as you ALL.  Take care and God Bless every one of you.

SPC Cliffton E. Getter, 410th QM, Taji, Iraq

Received 2-3-07

Hello from Iraq, my name is CSM (Command Sergeant Major) Michael Wilson.  I just received your package and wish to thank you very much.  Your package surprised me as I wasn't expecting mail.  As I looked at the package I spoke out loud to some of my Soldiers that I didn't know who this was from.  They all started to rib me about a secret admirer.  I took your package and tried to make a hasty retreat.  It was a surprise to open the package and get your letter.  As I read your letter it brought joy to my heart to get a package from a complete stranger who thought of me.

It is heartwarming to know that people back home think of us here.  That's something we don't get a lot of here, the message that you all care.  God bless (you all ) for forming your organization to help the families of deployed Soldiers.  Not many people understand that our Soldiers don't worry about themselves, they think about there (sic) families and how are they doing.  And to have people like yourselves to be there to help our families in time of need means more than you can imagine.

In your letter you asked how I was doing and to let you know.  Well I am doing just fine and so are my Soldiers, it's hard to be away from home but we are all proud to be able to serve our country when the call comes.  I have almost my entire Battalion scattered all over Iraq and each and every one is a proud Kentuckian.

It would be my great pleasure to receive and answer any letters sent to me.  It means as much to me to recieve the school children's letters as I am sure it is for them to write them.  Again, thank you for taking time out from your busy schedule an helping to brighten an old Soldier's day.

CSM Michael D. Wilson , HHC 2-123rd Armor, AL Quarrarah, Iraq  (citizen of Lawrenceburg)

Received 2-9-07

I was very delighted to receive a care package from your organization.  It warms my heart to know peolpe are thinking about us.  I really appreciated the care package.  Thanks again!

1Lt Swannie Jett, 410 Quartermaster Company, KNG (citizen of Danville)