Hello from Baghdad! I wanted to express my most sincere thanks for the care package I recently received from your organization. It was a welcome surprise, especially since I did not know who was sending it to me! Thank you all so much for your kindness and generosity; it is greatly appreciated. I am the Team Chief for Team Weasel, which is a Military Training and Transition (MiTT) Team. I lead 10 officers and senior Non-commissioned Officers and we work with another MiTT Team training and advising he 6^th Iraqi Army (IA) Division (DIV) in Baghdad. We have a tough job over here now as we help the 6^th IA DIV take a more prominent role in operations by providing their own security and taking the lead on missions with US forces in support. Team Weasel works hand-in-hand with the 6^th IA DIV on a daily basis, conducting training, liaisoning with US forces, and executing joint missions throughout sector to improve th e security posture in the Baghdad Area of Responsibility and to increase the safety of the Iraqi people. It is our mission to improve the effectiveness of the 6^th IA DIV, and we see improvement in our Iraqi soldiers every day. Another one of our many missions over here is to help ease the suffering of the Iraqi people in Baghdad and its surrounding communities. We conduct humanitarian missions alongside our IA counterparts and deliver food, water, medical supplies, clothing, and toiletries, toys and school supplies. I will donate some of the items you sent me to this cause, as the IA does not receive adequate funding to purchase enough humanitarian supplies to distribute to the Iraqi people. If any of your family members, friends, or fellow parishioners would like to donate the same types of items that you sent me to these humanitarian aid projects, I would be more than happy to be your point of contact over here. It is comforting to know there are so many people back home in the States, like you and others, who contribute to this wonderful program that support the troops and our mission over here in Iraq. As we work long hours, seven days a week, during brutal weather conditions, in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, it is thoughts of home and the encouragement of fellow American like you that help us through our most difficult times. Your love, patriotism, and generosity mean so much, and we appreciate all that YOU do for us. I have also enclosed an official Team Weasel Certificate of Appreciation for you, Carolyn, and for your organization, to say thank you for all you do for US troops serving their country in Iraq. I hope that you will find a suitable place to display these “highly coveted awards. On behalf of Team Weasel, thank you again for the care package. I appreciate you kindness, generosity and support. You are all great Americans, and I pray for you all to have a safe, happy and healthy 2009. Thanks again, take care, and God bless. Very respectfully, MAJ J. E. M. III

I wanted to take a moment to send my thanks for your generous donations. You all have no idea how much it brightens our day to receive any type of mail, especially packages, out here in the middle of blue nowhere, your gifts and your words of gratitude to our sacrifice is more=2 0than appreciated. As you are already aware, my name is L. R. I am 24 born and raised in ****. I have a wonderful little boy named  ***; He is two. I’m stationed in ***at a squadron called Helicopter Mine Counter Measure 14. I was temporarily assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Norfolk as a Microminature Technician. I volunteered to be deployed on the Eisenhower as a 2M Tech; so, I’m not attached to this boat by anyway but my own will. Days out here drag on.  The only thing I get to look forward to out here is Sundays when it’s my day to sleep in, or our three-day port call we get once a month. The boat does things for us like weekly movie nights and such but it’s hot and sticky. It’s too humid in the hanger for me. I work in a shop that averages 58 degrees F. It has its positives and negatives but I’d rather freeze than suffocate. My job, in my opinion, is the best on the boat. I solder and repair all sorts of aviation electrical equipment. For example, if your computer broke (component level), or if you needed a wire reattached in your cell phone, if I can fix it with solder and soldering iron I can fix it; like doing arts and crafts all day. Anyway, much thanks to you all again! With love and gratitude, AT3 L. R.

Just a few words to say thank you for all the packages Operation Gratitude sent our unit 143DE&C here at Kandahar, the heartland of Afghanistan. I am the mail lady at one unit. I help run the mailroom. I certainly enjoyed my box and everyone else did as well. It’s been quite an adjustment being here. The heat is bad and we’re not even in June yet. Then the 180-day dust storms will begin. The dust storms get so bad you cannot see in front of you. Sometimes I have to remember the guys that are outside the wire (infantry). They are out there for days patrolling and convoying. Bless their hearts! Sometimes they don’t have anything but MREs to eat. They are the ones we’re here for. We do not see any type combat but we do get hit with a few rockets a week. Fortunately no major damage from them. Again, thank you everyone. SSC M. B.