sent you an email,

Joanne

Heard the KOP finally got a resupply and some mail today! Merry Christmas!

The soldier  responsible for the helicopters to this area has posted on Anysoldier. Dave Zimmerman. He sends stuff out to remote areas. It wouldn't hurt to send him a box , too.

so apparently the KOP got a resupply, but no mail-

this is a message from Anysoldier contact :

So here's the deal. I just got back up here today [he was wounded] and apparently they haven't got mail in over 2 weeks. There is at least 1 conex full of mail just for the Korengal Valley. Thats about 1,200 pounds of mail that has been sitting there for god knows how long. Christmas is tomorrow and nobody has presents, smokes, dip, anything. We are scrounging for stuff right now. I'm not asking you to do a lot here. Please make a simple call to your local congressman/woman and voice a complaint of concern about this. How would you feel if you were expecting to recieve stuff that you need for everyday life in the mail and you had to wait to get it for months on end. Please help us out. We have tried to get it up here and nothing is being done. Maybe if they hear about it from you guys something will happen. Happy Holidays ya'll.

Joanne

I talked to my son, (Sgt. Turner) last night and got an e-mail this morning. He couldn't say who was hurt, only that it was less than 4 and they will all be fine. If I may touch on the resupply issue...The resupply convoy was blocked by a slide on the road and had to turn back. There were other issues that can't be discussed here. There is a connex of boxes for the Valley and they will Helo them in. The weather, bad luck and frequent TIC's have made resupply a challenge. But they are eating well and have what they need to do their jobs. The extra's we send are great, but I for one don't think that out of the many boxes I have sent, a single thing was worth risking someones life to deliver it. Viper Co. are US Light Infantry and the hardships they face are why they are ammong the best fighting soldoiers in the world.

God bless them and keep them safe this Christmas Eve.

Alan

I have to agree with Alan. I'm VERY glad to hear the injured will be okay. But I also have to say that mail just takes time. There are other priorities, especially in a war zone. From what I've heard, some folks have been sent SO MUCH great support some things may just be backed up right now. That seems to happen around this time of the year, I'm guessing even moreso when the transportation lines are limited, and bad weather comes rolling into the area.

One of our outposts didn't get much mail for over a month. They did get supplies, were fed and taken care of, and did a very good job with their mission. This happens. Our guys (in N Afghanistan especially) are in the middle of a very tough but highly important mission. I'm sure your support packages will get to them in time, but probably not with the speed that we can enjoy back here in the States.

--KLM

I totally agree the mail takes time-I was just passing on some of the guys' frustration. They are having a tough time and just wanted to let everyone know to keep them in your prayers this Holiday. They ARE being taking care of, but the "other" stuff and mail certainly would help the morale.

I was passing on the info so everyone would know their pkges may be delayed,and that may be why they haven't heard anything.

Take care,

Joanne 

Thanks for the update Jo. I was really really hopin for some holiday cheer for our guys too. Maybe tomorrow In the meantime I'm profoundly grateful for their safety and to all of you for sharing the love and support! Happy Holidays all. Shelly

Joanne,

I understand completely and am so pleased that so many are doing so much for so few. (apologies to Sir Winston...) I rarely post here, but I do read fairly often and I am greatful that Viper Co. has such great support. I can only share the perspective I have gained from my son's emails and occasional calls. There is no way we can under estimate the hardships those guys have. Listening to my son describe his feelings of the loss of his brothers breaks my heart, but "that's the job" as he puts it. So keep the mail and the goodies coming. Especially the mail. And if you really want to do someting good, send things to Mess Sgt's Tucker and Smoot. They create good food out of the supplies the Army sends to the KOP, but they are always short of dried herbs, salt, pepper and seasonings. Things like stainless steel tongs and slotted spoons and wire wisks are in short supply at times. Those guys really care about what they serve and the food has improved a lot since they got there. When you support them you support all the guys in the Valley. Dollar stores sell dried herbs, and if you transfer them from the plastic bottles to zip locks, you can get a lot in a FRB! So thanks again. I appreciate everything you do.

Merry Christmas

Alan

Please don't empty herbs and seasonings out of the manufacturer's containers into ziplock bags to send to the troops!  Most have been instructed by their commanders to throw away such unidentified and unsealed food products.

Gran

It's okay from Mom and Dad but from unknown people ..they have to be wary of the enemy trying to poison them. Walmart has seasonings for .50  . walgreens and CVS frequently put theirs on sale.

  So very very happy for you. Wishing you and your soldier a wonderful and blessed holiday. Merry Christmas! 

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a huge THANK YOU for all that all of you do for our sons.  And for us.  Having this community here is making this deployment a lot easier for this soldier's dad and the rest of the family.  

This morning as we were opening gifts as my wife was opening a package our son had ordered online for her for Christmas, the radio started playing the spoken poem "Soldier's Silent Night",  We just stopped and listened (and shed a few tears).  I am thankful that unlike in past times, at least we have the communication that we do. 

 Thank you from one soldier's family.

 Sanford

 "God bless us every one" - Tiny Tim

Congratulations for your sweet Christmas gift.  Enjoy your boy.  Andrew called this evening and that was pretty great too.  All is well.  They ate good.  Thank you Lord.  May you all have a great evening and Merry Christmas. 

Hugs,

Dianna