Thank you notes from soldiers

Military Care Packages from WashU brightened the holidays for many troops serving abroad. Here’s an update from Jill Edwards, Senior Project Manager in the Office of the Provost, who organizes the package donations and shipments:

“On November 14, thirty-five boxes were mailed to the troops.  The total weight of the boxes was 626 pounds (wow!) and the cost to mail the boxes was $1,286.46 (yikes!).

It has taken a very long time for many of our boxes to get to the soldiers.  A few boxes still have not reached one of our soldiers.  And one box was returned (I re-sent it).  The returned box and long delivery time is a new experience for our group.”

Messages from the soldiers:

I just wanted to personally thank everyone for the packages you sent, what a wonderful surprise! When I found out that ya’ll have been doing this for several years now I was so proud! I wanted to stand up and pound on my chest and scream those are my fellow Americans….It is an honor and I’m very proud to serve this beautiful country of ours, may we all come home safe.
Michelle P.

All except the prodigal box that turned back at JFK are safely here. Indeed they have been gone over so thoroughly by my soldiers the effect is a cow skeleton in the desert picked over by hungry vultures.  It came at a convenient time, the tempo of operations is such they have had to miss more meals the last several days than I would like – and portable foodstuffs of a wholesome variety are always in short supply. Nice snacks have been a godsend, really.  On behalf of my 28 guys and gals, thank you.  It’s deeply appreciated.

Of particular note was the box of home baked stuff.  As that stuff doesn’t keep we shared it with our interpreters (mostly Arabic, a couple of Russians) and the operators we work with.  It’s like a little taste of home.  Irena, one of our two Russian interpreters said the (spice cake squares? I think that’s what they were.  I was too busy gorging on brownies, a weakness of mine), reminded her of her mother’s, in St Petersburg, when she was a little girl.

It was really nice to be eating something from a nice homey kitchen this close to the holidays.  Thank you and your compatriots again, for what you did for us, and for all you do for other soldiers as well.  It is deeply appreciated.

Best regards,
Trenton H

Just wanted to let you know we have received two of the boxes one of which was the box with the baked goods. And Thank you, and to all those who helped.
Christian C.

Thank you so much for the care packages.  You have no idea how much it means to everyone to have the small things from home arrive here.  Just knowing we are thought of is comforting.  We appreciate y’all and your support!
Jamie F.

Thank you very much for all of the care packages!  I received them last night, and I have dispersed them among the people here and placed some in all of the common areas.  I have been asked to pass along that the baked goods have been a huge hit with the people here.  We are honored to serve, and it is always nice to receive mail/packages from people back home to remind us why we do this and that others are thinking about us.  Thank you again for the packages, and thank you most of all for your support.
John O.