Return to Home Page
Feedback from our
American Soldiers
(many more messages from
soldiers can be seen on our blog)
We received twenty two of the flat rate boxes today and were wowed by how much you really care for us! My soldiers and I sorted these boxes and are going to distribute everything as soon as the rest arrives and we sort it as well. Thank you all so much! It's really great to have blank cards included that the soldiers can send home and in plenty of time for Christmas! I'm sure you will be receiving many thank you emails and letters as I plan on hanging up the letters that have the photos and signatures around the dining facility so everybody knows who to thank. I will write back once the rest of the packages arrive. I really appreciate the time, thought, and money you have put into this! I know it really means a lot to the soldiers here to know that there are people back home in the States thinking about us and supporting us. Thank you again so much and I will write back soon!
Jerry
Greetings from ... Afghanistan. I was delighted to receive the very kind and thoughtful care packages you sent. As the Chaplain for this unit, it always blesses my heart to see people like you who think of our soldiers. They are always thankful to receive these amenities from home. Thank you for taking the time to remind us that there are people back home that are rallying behind and praying for our safety and success. We thank God for all your support.
Chaplain David
Message rec'd from soldier in October, 2009
Thank You First off, thank you for your support the care packages that you have sent. My unit is preparing for our redeployment home. Your support, boxes of gifts and letter of Love and encouragement were wonderful. Thank You for taking time out of your busy days to send a bit of home to a bunch of homesick and tired soldiers, we all appreciated it.
Second if any of you are interested in sending more boxes, this is the mailing address of a friend of mine in Afghanistan ...
His unit just arrived in country a few weeks ago, and the containers that contained all their personal gear and a bunch of their professional gear were pillaged. They have now received eight 20 foot connex's that are empty. The soldiers lost everything. Some of the items they have asked for are, personal hygiene items for males and females. (soap, shampoo, shaving gel, razors and the such). Twin sheets, pillows and pretty much anything you can think of. Again thank you for everything and take care.
SSG Rodney S. Flight Medic, U.S. Army
Message rec'd from soldier in Mideast in July, 2009
Dear Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas,
On behalf of the 504th Company we wish to thank you heartily for the gifts you have sent. Seldom do people realize how important a call home can be, or the simple yet profound effect a cookie can have on ones spirits.
We appreciate your thoughtfulness and care. And for the little you have done you have sustained our hearts for the time ahead, which by itself is a grand and wondrous accomplishment!! God bless you all. It is for people like you that we rise every day to face the world for you!! Thank you!!
John
Message rec'd from soldier in Mideast in May, 2009
Dear Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas
We received your box sent on 18 April. It does take a long time to get stuff out here but very well worth it when it comes from fellow Americans back home wishing us well. We appreciate your dedication to ensuring we know we are thought of and taken care of by your organization.
Everyone on the ship knows the Airborne Angel Cadets.. The cookies do come in handy especially since we work all hours of the night and it is nice to just grab a cookie or two to tied us over to the next meal. We work a lot of odd ball hours so it really comes in handy.
I too am proud to be an American. I have been in the Navy for a good amount of time and have never seen the amount of support that I see now. It also gives me that warm feeling and feeling of comfort knowing we are backed by so many there at home. We also hope for a time that we don't have to send our children out to do what we are doing now. We all rest easy at night knowing we have "Airborne Angels on our side". Take care and god bless and again, thank you for your more than generous care package.
Very respectfully, Mark H, United States Navy
Message rec'd from Afghanistan in March, 2009
"Dear Airborne Angel Cadets, I am the Executive Officer for a Blackhawk helicopter company stationed at Bagram, Afghanistan. My unit just received a shipment of boxes from your organization, and I just wanted to personally thank you, not just for the boxes, but also for the thoughts and prayers that I know accompanied them.
Just so you know, we opened a few of the boxes and separated some of the toys....we're taking these to the Children's Hospital here at Bagram. I can't describe how thrilled these children are to receive even the most simple gifts. We are going to fly the remaining boxes to some of the more remote Forward Operating Bases along the border with Pakistan. Our soldiers out there have precious few amenities and I can preemptively thank you on their behalf. The sight of Girl Scout Cookies and the other goodies will make their day. Thank you again for your time and sacrifice. You have no idea how important you are to our morale, and we thank God for you daily. All the best,"
Message rec'd from Afghanistan in November, 2008
"I am the Fire Chief of 6 firefighters and would like to know if you all could send us care packages for the holidays. We could use just about anything but male hygiene products, soap, deodorant, toothpaste etc would be awesome. Magazines, PC computer games that is Vista compatible if you do that (tiger woods PC). Batteries, small flashlights (very dark here). Anything would be appreciated here in Afghanistan Thank you for what you all do."
Message rec'd from Iraq in October, 2008
"Thanks Nancy for all the care packages and the luau stuff. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am just returning from my 18 days of R & R on the MS Gulf Coast. It was great to see family and friends. The heat index was 150 a few days ago. It is a scorcher here. We're still on the roads every day. Your continued support boosts morale and spirits. Soldiers are in my office tent all the time looking for needed hygiene items or a book or some snack. We just have a few more months, January 2009. We deployed last November 2007. Please keep these Soldiers who will be missing two Christmases and Thanksgivings in your prayers. Please keep us in prayer for protection from the heat and the enemy. Keep my Soldiers' morale in your prayers too please. We are so appreciative of all you and your team do for the troops. Thank you!"
Message rec'd from Iraq in September, 2008
"Here is a picture of one of our platoons. We have 4 and they are spread out throughout the Anbar Provience. I just thought I'd send you a picture, so you have a little something from the "Cajuns." HAHA. The majority of our company is from Camp Beauregard, near Alexandria, but we have people from all over the state. I, particuarly, am from Kinder, LA. We appreciate everything you are doing for us. Thank you again and I look forward to talking to you again. Cassandra"
Message rec'd from Iraq in September, 2008
"Howdy from the world's largest sand trap - Home of this Texas Soldier for now, cobras, scorpions and camels. Thank you for the cookies. They were greatly welcomed. I passed out as much of them as I could to the other soldiers here on the camp so we can all have a taste of home. I'm from a small town just north of Houston called Tomball. Being here is like a Texas summer without the humdidity. We know you are always looking for things to send to the soldiers. Might I say that freezer pops would be greatly welcomed by soldiers. The small freezers we have access here to make them a great idea to have when coming in from out of the sun after a long day of patrols or guard duty. Timothy (SGT)"
Message rec'd from Iraq in April, 2008
"To wonderful people at The Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas- You have answered my prayers...I was just saying to myself the other day, 'I really wish I had some girl scout cookies!' Since my husband is also deployed to Iraq I have no one at home to mail me girl scout cookies and then I receive a box from the wonderful people at the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas....filled with girl scout cookies...you really are angels! It felt great to be able to share the cookies with my Soldiers in my platoon. We really appreciate your kindness! Thank you so much, you really are wonderful people! We are thinking of you as we enjoy our cookies. Take care and God Bless!"
Messages rec'd from soldiers during 2007-2008 Christmas / New Years season
December email from Iraq
"We just got all of your care packages yesterday. Wow, that's alot of stuff. We donated all the remaining care packages to the MWR (morale + welfare + recreation) facility, so that other soldiers can take what they need ... They should make short work of them. Your organization is really great. We're lucky to have people like you, at home supporting us. It's only about 19 more weeks to go of deployment."
December email from Afghanistan
"I'm in Kabul, Afghanistan now. It's been fun and scary and exciting and sad this year. I met some great people in training and we've become good friends. Unfortunately, I lost two of my new friends in June and July. I still miss them. They were good men. I've been on a couple of missions to villages giving humanitarian aid. But most of my trips outside the wire now deal with supplies."
December email from Afghanistan
"Though I usually enjoy spending Christmas with my family in Ohio, my Christmas was still Merry this year in lovely Afghanistan. I spent the 23rd - 25th flying with my Brigade Command and visiting 10 different Fire Bases and Command Posts. During the travels, I gave out many goodie bags, which seemed to brighten at least some Paratroopers' Holiday. Christmas Eve, my roommate and I stuffed 60 of the larger stockings y'all sent with hats, gloves, and hand warmers and delivered them to the Paratroopers pulling guard duty. Also, we attempted to carol, but that didn't go over too well :o) However, again, we did seem to brighten at least some Paratroopers' Holiday so it was fun!"
January email from Iraq
"We're currently stationed on a small Coalition out-post in southern Bahgdad and work in the vehicle maintenance division. There's not too many of us out here (about 400 total). Which is not a lot at all compared to the huge FOBS and Camps all over Iraq that have thousands of troops on them. We're pretty limited out here with the amenities and normal perks that a large base camp normally offers. We make do though. And your packages really help us do so. The christmas decorations helped to spread the spirit around, as much as christmas spirit can be spread in Iraq. We enjoyed them. The best thing I think you have sent so far are the toe and hand warmers. I have personally used them numerous times when I have to pull guard duty. ... it gets extremely cold up their, especially when your sitting in one place for 4 hours at a time. So they work out great. Keep em coming if you can. We really appreciate everything and keep up the good work. My unit has about 6-7 more months over here, and then we're back home at Fort Stewart in Georgia. We all cant wait. But for the mean time your packages make it a little easier over here."
Email rec'd Oct/07
"Wow, you guys are awesome! I am the most popular guy in my platoon when they found out that I got us some sponsors to send them out stuff.
We just got back from a long convoy today. I'm tired but happy to be back. Once again. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for all the support and goodies. We all appreciate them.
Letter to Airborne Angel Cadets from Governor of Oklahoma on April 18, 2007
Emails rec'd June, 2007
The Soldiers of the 18th well supported by friends and families, and also from people that they have never met. Early in the deployment, the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas “adopted” 3rd Platoon (PLT). Every month this wonderful group sends 5-10 boxes of snacks, toiletries, and toys and games to the guys. This act of kindness reminds our Soldiers that they are supported. The Family Readiness Group Committee would like to that the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas for the support of our 3rd PLT.
----------
3rd Platoon (PLT) has worked, what has seemed like endless hours over the last two weeks to help support the fight in Baghdad. Everyone is doing a great job considering the extreme heat and lack of sleep.
Thank you to Nancy Carter and the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas. This wonderful group sends 3rd PLT packages every month – like clock work. The items that they send always go a long way to lift morale and provide a much needed distraction from our everyday routines. Please do not think that this takes away from the packages from our loved ones. In a time where there is all the media coverage of our efforts and presence in Iraq seems to be negative, it is wonderful to be shown such a high level of gratitude and appreciation from strangers.
Please keep all our Soldiers in your thoughts and prayers as we get through another week of this deployment. 1LT Bill Schmidt
Email rec'd Feb/ 2007
I am PFC Jon Michael Campbell (2nd from left on top
row). I have had the pleasure of being the recipient of many of your
packages, and me and my platoon thank you all so much. We appreciate
everything. It brings a smile to all of our faces when we hear "Campbell,
go to the CP and pick up your packages, again!" Many of the things you
have sent us have helped tremendeously, especially the food, as we can't
get a lot of it from our Post Exchange here on base. So that you know that you are helping more than just soldiers, anything we don't need or can't use, gets taken to the Chaplains, who give it to the locals who live around our base and go longer without lots of things that we take for granted. Not only are you helping us, you are helping the local people, which essentially makes our job easier, especially when interacting with them. Again, thank you very much for everything! If there is anything i can do for you at all, feel free to ask. When i return home I would love to meet all of you and thank you in person. If you ever need help fundraising or getting donations, feel free to ask. I would love to help you after all you have done for us!
God bless, Jon M. Campbell
Email rec'd on 1/26/07
"The company has been
extremely busy lately conducting many missions here in Baghdad. Of course,
everyone is doing an excellent job. The missions have us all tired, but we
keep knocking them out knowing that it is just one day closer to going
home. Right now, our mission set is extremely flexible. Our excellent
leadership and state of the art equipment make us a highly demanded asset
throughout the area. Granted, this drives us all crazy most of the time,
but everyone continues to impress me with their dedication and
perseverance.
Please keep sending them letters and packages, as we are ensuring
they are receiving their mail. Email rec'd on 11/6/06
"I feel like Santa distributing the packages. I received them in spurts, so the first batch I gave to a couple Soldiers and to our interpreters. I discreetly dumped second batch out on a table and left. I came back 20 minutes later and everything was gone. Thank you so much. The packages are really appreciated. There is nothing like spending a tough day outside the wire and coming back to packages from home. It's a real morale booster."
Email rec'd on 10/4/06
"I am the 3rd platoon Point of contact and wife to the platoon leader. First, I want to thank you for supporting our troops, especially those who are near and dear to me. We, as military have truly become a family, and we want to welcome you to that family also.
Again, I want to thank you for your thoughts for our soldiers.
Seeing first hand, I know some of the soldiers have nothing but the Army.
Your packages and letters are what keep them going, especially those who
have no family. Thank you for reminding us that we are all one large
family and we all need to support one another to make it through." Email rec'd on 9/29/06
"Thank you so much for the packages you and and the Airborne Cadets sent my platoon. I received them yesterday. I wasn't around when they were delivered, so all my guys had surrounded the pile and were extremely happy when I arrived and told them that the goodies weren't for me, but were for the whole platoon. I've only given out two packages so far. I'm going to distribute them in spurts, but I must say that I left the packages on a table, went to a meeting, came back 30 minutes later and the guys swarmed on them like ants....there wasn't anything left. Just to let you know about my platoon, we have 26 Soldiers (all male). Our job here in Iraq is to sweep for the roadside bombs in the street. So far, we have had a lot of success doing so. When we're not on the FOB we're usually at the eating, at the gym, eating, or sleeping. The sleeping arrangements aren't too bad...we do sleep on mattresses in what are called "containerized housing units," and we do have access to showers every day to keep us from getting too stinky. Mosul, Iraq is quite the place. There is a lot of history here. In the middle of the city are the ruins of Ninevah, where Jona of the Old Testament preached. The city and people have suffered a lot since the 1980's, but hopefully in the near future peace can come here and they can prosper here like they once did."
Msg and photo from Bagram Afghanistan,
September 2006 "Some pictures taken today after our flight ... including some of the boys enjoying your salsa, jalapenos, and dip. We were so burned out on mess hall food, this was our dinner."
From Staff Sargeant in Bagram Afghanistan rec'd in Fall, 2006
"I just wanted to write and say thank you for the care packages. They are greatly appreciated. As you can imagine the routine here gets pretty old, so packages like you send are great as they offer a break in the tedium. It's like a birthday for everyone... Thank you again for your support and patriotism."
Portion of email rec'd August, 2006 from American soldier in Mideast:
"sorry i haven't written sooner. we've been extra busy lately. i'm not exactly sure when we'll be going home, but it should be in the october/november time frame. we've gotten all your packages. thank you guys SO much for all that you do for us. we wish we had the chance to thank you all individually, but if you could pass this on, that'd be great. thanks again. i'll write more when i get the chance. as always, take care, and keep doing what you're doing. even if we haven't had the chance to tell you, you're making a BIG difference."
From 10th CAB Chaplain Ass't, Bagram, Afghanistan written July 31, 2006
"On behalf of the Task Force Chaplain's Office, I would like to say thank you for your generous donations. They will be distributed to the soldiers of our task force. Thank you for the wonderful and kind support of our soldiers here at Bagram Afghanistan"
See Certificate of Appreciation from C Troop 7th Squadron 6th Cavalry Regiment
Airborne Angel Cadets Home Page - A nonprofit charity supporting American soldiers and troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other overseas posts.