I received "Free Mail' from GySgt Washchek today.  The letter was dated June 15.  He said in my letter that I had touched over 30 Marines with my care package, and that not all had received something from it but all of them knows that one more person cares (paraphased). 

I also received a quick note from a LCPL in with the letter from Gunny. 

What a GREAT  Monday!  I feel so good knowing that I've made a positive difference in those Marines lives

That's so good to hear, Christi!!  thanks for sharing

I sent my first box to him 6/18 maybe I'll get some 'free mail soon"?   I also ordered some washboard kits for them.  Can't get enough for all of them but it'll help a little.  I sent to this LAR group  on a previous deployment, could be some of the same men, trying to find out.  One good thing, with so many guys you know someone will be able to use anything sent.  Anita

You have got that right...a lot of Marines...to help.

I just got a Letter from the Gunney...
The letter was dated 06/15/2009...
He was estatic over the Detail Brushes that
I had sent for the 400 Marines...in his unit...

He said that they are in the "100 Day Winds"...
that produces those Sand storms...so the timeing
worked out great...

This LAR Group is from 2nd Division, Camp Lejune NC...

MomAnita,

I mailed my second care package to Gunny on 6/18/09.  It was full of various snacks and most importantly cards from the 4th of July Card Swap .  The first package I sent was hygeine items.  It seems they are receiving a variety from us AS junkies. 

Is anyone sending to Maria?  And if so, have you heard from her?   I'm working on some things for the orphanage there in Dijbouti and am just curious.  

 cj/

 We've been sending cards to both of them, and I got a case of coffee out too - did you want me to ask Maria something for you?

I requested Maria Washechek last month and have sent two packages, one of them, today!  Both packages contained mainly baby clothes for the orphanage.  I also sent a bunch of current magazines for her soldiers.  I haven't heard from her yet.

colourful - yes, if you could find out whether there is a real need for clothing and shoes/sandals, and if there is, what sizes and particulars, it would be very much appreciated.   i would really prefer to send things that are needed and wanted....

the photos would suggest that these kids could use some shoes!!

tia,

cj/

 Sent off an email for you, will let you know what she says. :)

colourful - did you hear back yet?   just wondering...

 Nothing yet...will let you know as soon as I do! :)

I just got this from Maria - CHECK OUT the LINKS! Oh my. Wow. Hope this helps you!

Hello Sandy,

I just returned from my R&R, so my apologies for not getting back to you
sooner.  The sizes can range from Newborn - 3T for the baby orphanage.  Any
other larger sizes I would take to the local school that I attend twice a
week.  Shoes ... That's a tough one for me to guess, but if it didn't fit
they would just pass it along to another family member.

I would like to also FWD a few links of my husband & his Marines that I
received from my husbands 1stSgt's wife.

Here are the latest links to pictures that were posted on the Washington
Post of our guys.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/20/GA2009072001658.html

I hope some of you get to see your husband in these great pictures that were
taken. I have been told that the photographer Nikki Khan left our guys a
couple of days ago so that may be it as far as pictures go on Washington
Post, but still check just in case.

A CNN reporter was embedded with our guys and Delta Co. for awhile. If you
go to CNN.com, click on the videos and search for Ivan Watson you will find
numerous videos of our guys. There will be another reporter joining up with
Charlie Company soon but I am not sure who or when. Just in case I'll start
you off with one link and you can go from there.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/07/21/watson.bs.helmand.cnn?iref
=videosearch


Delta Company has suffered three casualties and a few injuries. Please keep
them in your thoughts as well when you think of your own loved one. Here is
a link from a the last memorial.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/13/GA2009071302993.html



Thank you for your support Sandy, it truly means a lot to all of us!!!!!!!!


Sincerely,
Maria 

 For those clicking on links from the email notification - sorry about the busted ones. I fixed them in the post on the forum after checking to see if they worked.

Sandy,

Thank you for sharing those links.  I "adopted" Steven Washechek before this forum ever started, and I am honored to be sending care packages to these guys.  As I watched the CNN Report and viewed the photos, my heart just broke for these guys.  The little I've done for them is nothing compared to what they are doing for us. 

I have a couple of guys that have responded from letters and care packages I have sent.  I dropped them a couple of post cards in the mail last week as I was on vacation.  I wanted them to know that they are always in my thought and prayers.  I'm going to work on some care packages and letters for other too.  If not already motivated, these links will sure make you want to help more.