Hi Everybody!

I am so excited I had to post here asap! I received an email today from my "adopted" Marine and his men. It had been 14 days since I had mailed him a first contact letter and he emailed me back today, on Flag Day. I really had not expected a response, just hoped to brighten someone's day with a letter. My husband and I have a 2007 Ford Mustang which we show, as well as go on cruises with other Mustang fanatics. So I decided to find Mustang guys to write to, and there they were! Other members in our club are going to write, too, and send photos of their cars.

Towards the end of his letter he said, "Also, I just wanted to add this, I have been up for over 50 hours now with about 3 hours of sleep in the middle. I was laying in bed when a Marine gave me this letter. After reading it I couldnt help but come and email you because of all the Mustang talk." LOL! He is a guy after my own heart! I LOVE it!!! Dead on his feet and still has to talk about cars!

He was so appreciative that I had taken the time to write him. He said, "other Marines wonder what people think of the job we are doing, and to get feedback on it is great." Letters really DO make a difference, keep sending them!

Take care all my AnySoldiers.com friends,

Julie 

I don't know what it is about the Marines, but they seem to be best about thank yous. I keep a spread sheet of everybody I've ever sent something to, what it was, their address and when and if I heard back. I'd estimate the ratio of soldiers to marines to airmen to sailors is roughly the same as the ratio of all who sign up.

Of course I don't expect anybody to send a note or email, that's not why we do this, is it? But it's such a rush when we do get a response. And for whatever reason, Marines are far and away (for me anyway) absolutely awesome about this. I once noted this observatioin to a Marine in an email, asking if it were part of the Marine Corps manual and he said: "Doesn't everybody send thank yous?"

My other unscientific (and less surprising) realization is that women are particularly good about thank yous too.

Thank you for sharing, Mustang Lover.

MustangLover Hello!

Your story reminds me of the Ford Mustangs that were shipped to VietNam during the conflict there to improve Morale. A  VietNam boy watched the Mustangs in amazement while they were being shown to the U.S. soldiers. The mental impact didn't just affect the soldiers. It made an impact that no one would have thought at the time on that young man.  Last I knew he worked in a position at Ford Motor Company and guess what car he is in charge of?

Anything is possible if one can wrap their mind around it until their heart follows.

MustangLover Hello again!  I went and got his name off a search engine. Hau Thai - Tang is Director of Fords Special Vehicle Team. In charge of designing the new Mustang he was 5 years old when he saw his first Mustang in war - torn VietNam.

 Maybe we should ask Ford to do it again? or get a New Mustang and have a contest for the soldiers in harms way to give them a morale booster.  A morale boost and some happy winners. Would a Mustang Club carry some wieght with Ford?     

Door, that is an amazing story! I can approach a couple of the clubs we belong to but I am not sure about any clout we would have with Ford.

My Marine has emailed me almost every other day! He is a pleasure to talk to. I do not initiate the emails, I wait until he emails me, then I respond. He just wants to chat about anything but the war, sand and camels. :) We yak about cars and I email him photos we have taken at show cars. He did just receive my first goody box to him and he was pretty excited. Said their PX only had potato chips left! I sent him another box today and let him know so he has something to look forward to. He is so grateful to AnyMarine for starting this program and so am I! Keep up the good work, everyone!

MustangLover Hello!

Well I called Ford about shipping Mustangs over to Iraq and had many phone transfers and long talks. Then email which I did. It seemed like a canned response on the email except it may stick in someones mind and come to light again if the opportunity arises. Ford has a military discount for soldiers. Go to Ford website and click military discount.

 One place I ended up was the Company in charge of giving away grant money for Ford. It seems they give to over 300  501c3's so Marty or Sue do you know that you can apply?

While on the phone I mentioned anysoldier and the fellow on the phone checked to see if they still had a matching fund program to match what I had spent to send care packages. It had ended. The thing is I didn't even think of Corporation Grants and Matching Fund Grants. If anyone finds one that is still matching let the rest of us know and we will be able to send twice as much!

Hi MustangLover!

I am so excited to have found your post here because one of the soldiers I am supporting has an amazing mustang that he shows and puts in parades.  It's a POW - MIA car that's completely devoted to not forgetting those heroes who gave their life for this country.  On the vinyl hood he has SO MANY veterans sign their name.  He even has a guy who's been in the service for 40 years and served in 3 wars sign his car!  His website is http://www.nt4gtn.org/media.htm. I'm so excited to hook you up to this great soldier!

Eternally grateful,

Lissa 

Lissa:

Hi MustangLover!

I am so excited to have found your post here because one of the soldiers I am supporting has an amazing mustang that he shows and puts in parades.  It's a POW - MIA car that's completely devoted to not forgetting those heroes who gave their life for this country.  On the vinyl hood he has SO MANY veterans sign their name.  He even has a guy who's been in the service for 40 years and served in 3 wars sign his car!  His website is http://www.nt4gtn.org/media.htm. I'm so excited to hook you up to this great soldier!

Eternally grateful,

Lissa 

Hi Lissa!

That car is so COOL! I have just checked out his website, thanks! What an incredible way to show his appreciation for POW/MIA's and veterans. I wish he lived closer to the west coast so he could bring his car to some of our shows. I am going to go find him right now! Thanks again AnySoldier sister!

Respectfully,

Julie