Mike,
Your packages arrived right on time and could not have been planned better. I will try and take some pictures to send you when I get back. The cards brought laughter and tears to the soldiers eyes, especially those that had kids the same age as those who sent the cards. Your niece send me a beautiful letter and I would love to come and visit her school and thank them. The soldiers carry a lot of the candy when they had to go outside the wire and go on missions. As you can imagine I cannot get pictures of this. When they get outside a city they dismount from there combat vehicles and start on foot patrol. The guys all grab a handful and when the kids in the village run up to them they pass out the candy. I have done this myself on missions and you cannot imagine the looks on the kids faces and the smiles and hugs we experience.
The poster that was sent that had the kids handprints were totally awesome. I hung it in the office and the guys go by and touch it every time they go out. They say it brings luck. They did it once last night and once this morning and they all got back safe. I will say it works! I have soldiers from all walks of life and from ages 18 to 55. These cards and snacks brought so much joy and laughter and that is one thing that we could use more of over here. I really do not know how to put into words the joy that was brought to my troops by the cards. Snacks are good and come in handy but the cards are what brings so much pleasure to the guys. Let everyone know that the cards are hanging in all types of military vehicles throughout Afghanistan. In my job I have to send combat vehicles to other locations throughout Afghanistan. When a vehicles leaves here I had told my people that to put a couple of cards and some candy in each vehicle. This morning at 0500 I sent out 12 vehicles and all had a part of the kids art work and cards in them.
I am leaving tomorrow because my tour is up. I have left instructions to my soldiers on how I want the rest given out. I just want you to let all those involved know how they have really made a difference in the morale over here. Again “thanks” is not enough. You have really become a great friend in such a short amount of time. Thank all those involved form the bottom of my heart.
For God and Country
Thomas "Ray" Edwards
OPSTOCK Manager
320 Yard
3/401st AFSB
"The Michael Mann Team"
NMLS # 141529
Fairway Independent Mortgage
Office: 610-432-0900
Fax: 484-393-4214
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