Articles

(First Page)    prev    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10    next    (Last Page)

Operation Gratitude Delivers Aboard Big E
Story Number: NNS070821-01
Release Date: 8/21/2007 8:00:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jamica Johnson, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) (Big E) were fortunate enough to receive more than 3,500 care packages Aug. 11, from Operation Gratitude.

Carolyn Blashek and her staff of volunteers at Operation Gratitude, a foundation located out of Encino, Calif., sent the packages.

“The command master chief received an e-mail directly from Operation Gratitude,” said Chief Religious Program Specialist Quatrez Scipio, Religious Ministry Department’s leading chief petty officer. “Carolyn Blashek basically told him about her program and how they like to send packages typically to ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, but they were interested in doing some type of project with a ship that was deployed. From there, I sent her the ship’s roster and they got started on the packages.”

Volunteers collected food items, compact discs, letters of appreciation, playing cards and much more, which were placed in boxes and shipped out to the Big E.

“They were so excited to send us these packages. Each package [varied in price, ranging from] $30 to $40 to [initially] put the package together and an additional $10 to send off, which is amazing,” said Scipio. "So then were looking at roughly $50 a package for over 3,000 people, so this is definitely a major undertaking but they love doing it for the Sailors."

“It was an unexpected gift that I really appreciated, the timing could not have been better,” said Personnel Specialist Seaman Apprentice Ernest Prior. “It had a lot of great things that I really needed. It’s an amazing gesture for people back home to show their gratitude through this program."

“Inside the boxes the [sender's] e-mail address and a Web site [were included]. We definitely encourage all the Sailors to send an e-mail greeting, send a simple e-mail to let them know how important and valuable this service is to us Sailors and Marines," said Scipio. “It’s a wonderful thought when people do things like this in support of the service members and freedom around the world.”

For more news from USS Enterprise, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.

By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2007 – Thousands of servicemembers get care packages with surprises in them every day, thanks to caring folks back home. Some of the surprises, however, are bigger than others. Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, of 16th Military Police Brigade, thanks Army Maj. Kristian Sorensen, the brigade’s civil affairs officer, July 24 for sending the names of the unit’s soldiers to Operation Gratitude, a troop support group. Sanchez, who is currently serving in Iraq, had just received Operation Gratitude’s 250,000th care package, which came with a surprise -- keys to a 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited. Photo by Spc. Beatrice Florescu, USA   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit troop-support group, celebrated the packing of its 250,000th care package by teaming with Tri-State Jeep Dealers Association to put Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez in the driver’s seat of a 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited. “We were thrilled to give a Jeep Patriot to a true American patriot,” said Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude’s founder. “It is an honor to be able to recognize him and, through him, all servicemembers in uniform.” Operation Gratitude is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad. Sanchez, who received the package containing keys to the Jeep on July 24, is assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade, which is serving in Iraq. He will receive the actual vehicle upon his redeployment to the states, hopefully by the end of the year, Blashek said. Not expecting any packages, Sanchez didn’t initially respond when his name was called. “When they called my name, I was shocked, stunned, and I froze for a second, double-checking that my last name was Sanchez,” he said. “The first thing I saw when I opened the box was a Jeep brochure, but they give those at the post exchange. “I expected anything else but this vehicle,” he said. “I don’t have enough words, but with all my heart, thank you (Operation Gratitude) for all you do.” The package also contained a letter from Blashek explaining how her group was able to provide such a special “goodie” in their milestone package. Sanchez won’t be the only one who will receive a Jeep Patriot vehicle, however. Jeep, Major League Baseball’s New York Mets and a New York television station launched a letter-writing campaign July 15. Letters of support for the troops will be accepted until Sept. 17, when one lucky letter writer letter will be randomly chosen to receive a Jeep Patriot. That person’s letter will then be sent to Sanchez, as well. The winner of the letter-writing campaign will be announced during a Sept. 30 pre-game ceremony at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y., Blashek said. “We are proud and humbled to contribute to a great organization like Operation Gratitude that does so much good in support of our troops,” Eric Neilsen, president of the New York Dealer Association, said. “The Jeep was originally developed to serve our military, and we are very pleased to be able to continue this tradition in a small way.” (Army Spc. Beatrice Florescu contributed to this report.)

Operation Gratitude mails 250,000th package - 16th MP Soldier receives keys to new 2007 Jeep Patriot Blackanthem Military News, CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Operation Gratitude celebrated its 250,000th care package in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with a surprise 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited giveaway for one recipient of the 16th Military Police Brigade during a ceremony at Al Faw Palace July 24.

Army Maj. Kristian Sorensen, civil affairs officer, 16th MP Bde., submitted a roster of Soldiers to Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude’s founder, who coordinated the surprise.

The 250,000th care package was addressed to Sorensen since he submitted the roster. Inside this package was another package with the recipient’s name.

The recipient was Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, who initially didn’t sound off when his name was read because he was too surprised, he said. Sanchez opened the box and found a brochure, a letter, a few baseball hats and the keys to the vehicle.

“When they called my name I was shocked, stunned and I froze for a second double-checking that my last name was Sanchez,” he said. “I expected anything else but this vehicle. The first thing I saw when I opened the box was a Jeep brochure, but they give those at the Post Exchange. I was immediately nervous and shaky and couldn’t speak when I saw the keys. I don’t have enough words, but with all my heart thank you for all you do. Thank you.”
Operation Gratitude is not new to OIF or the unit, Sorensen said. He found out about Operation Gratitude in his first deployment and thought he had to share this with his unit in his second tour.

“These are excellent programs; it feels like Christmas every time,” Sorensen said. “It makes everyone feel good. Operation Gratitude, thank you very much. It does make a difference. It means a lot to us to know there are people thinking that we are all in this together. The great thing about this is both the servicemember and the support-letter writer will receive a set of keys.”

A letter from Blashek was enclosed in the package explaining how this initiative was created and coordinated. A partnership between Jeep, the New York Mets Major League Baseball team, a New York television station and New York auto dealers associations helped put both a servicemember and a support-letter writer each behind the wheel of a new vehicle.

“We are proud and humbled to contribute to a great organization like Operation Gratitude that does so much good in support of our troops,” stated Eric Neilsen, president of the New York Dealer Association, Sanchez read from a pamphlet. “The Jeep was originally developed to serve our military, and we are very pleased to be able to continue this tradition in a small way.”

Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, 16th Military Police Brigade (ABN) thanks Army Maj. Kristian Sorensen, 16th MP Bde., for sending the names of the unit's Soldiers to Operation Gratitude, after receiving a surprise care package with keys to a 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited, July 24. (U.S. Army photo by Army Spc. Beatrice Florescu, MNC-I PAO) Army Col. John Chambliss, 16th Military Police Brigade (ABN) commander, stands by Army Spc. Alfonso Sanchez, 16th MP Bde., as he realizes he received a set of keys for the 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited from Operation Gratitude inside the surprise 250,000th care package, July 24. (U.S. Army photo by Army Spc. Beatrice Florescu, MNC-I PAO)

Jeep Puts Group in Driver’s Seat to Mark Milestone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 16, 2007 – Jeep is partnering with the New York Mets major league baseball team, a New York television station and New York auto dealers associations to help put both a U.S. servicemember and a support-letter writer each behind the wheel of a new vehicle.

During a Military Appreciation Day pre-game ceremony at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y., yesterday, a Tri-State Jeep Dealers Association representative presented Operation Gratitude with symbolic keys to a 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited.

The “keys” went directly into the troop-support group’s 250,000th care package. And the Jeep, donated by the carmaker in celebration of the group’s milestone, will be driven home by a lucky servicemember upon his or her return to the states.

A U.S. Postal Service representative was on hand to make sure the special package made it safely to the military post office at Newark International Airport, Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude’s founder, said.

“The package is very much on its way,” she added. “It left on the 5 p.m. flight last night out of Newark (N.J.) flying next to the pilot the whole way.”

In further support of Operation Gratitude's mission to express the American public’s appreciation, New York’s CW11/WPIX television station, a part of Tribune Broadcasting, the New York Mets baseball team, and Jeep launched a letter-writing campaign that kicked off yesterday.

The campaign will run through Sept. 17, when one lucky writer’s letter will be randomly chosen and sent to Operation Gratitude's 250,000th package recipient. The package recipient and the winning letter-writer both will be announced during a Sept. 30 pre-game ceremony at Shea Stadium in Queens, N.Y., Blashek said.

Though that winning letter will undoubtedly make the servicemember smile, it should also please the letter writer. He or she also will drive home a 2007 Jeep Patriot Limited.

Letters can be submitted through the CW11/WPIX Web site. Each letter received through the site will serve as a contest entry, Blashek said.

During yesterday’s military appreciation event at Shea Stadium, fans also donated “cartons and cartons of items” to Operation Gratitude. The donations, including phone cards, DVDs, CDs, Beanie Babies, disposable cameras, batteries, baseball caps, and lip balm, will find their way into more care packages that will end up in troops’ hands.

“Fan outpouring was great,” Blashek said. “We collected cartons and cartons of items, and the letters are already flowing into the Web site.”

(From Operation Gratitude and New York Mets news releases.)

Related Sites:
WPIX/Jeep Letter Writing Contest

(First Page)    prev    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10    next    (Last Page)