June 2005 - Kirkuk, Iraq

Dear Ms. Roberts and Mr. Rector:

Enclosed with this letter you will find a small token of the appreciation that A Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment has for all that you have done for us over the course of our deployment in Iraq.   It's not much, but we here all hope that this certificate shows that the Soldiers deployed over here do receive the letters that your organization sponsors and though we might not answer them all, we certainly try.  All the prayers and positive energy we receive - we do our best to return, as feeding off your good will is all that keeps us going.

It is encouraging to see that an organization like yours has found the time and energy to maintain a morale support program on this scale for as long as you have.  Some organizations operate only for as long as it is posh or until military operations drop off the news media radar.  That you began your commitment to the Soldiers in 1999 and continue with your efforts into 2005 is truly remarkable and helps us all to keep the faith in what we do.

When you say, "I can't tell you how many times that a word of encouragement from a Soldier has made all the difference in the world to our show's troupe of performers and crew people.  Many times these small gestures have given us the boost we needed to carry on with our work," you easily summarize what organizations like yours do for us over here - give us the boost we need to carry on with our work.  We all love and thank you for it.

Patrick Forgue SPC, USA
Artilleryman on behalf of the Soldiers of A/2-11 FAR

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June 1, 2005 - Remote location, Northern Iraq

Marsha Roberts and Bob Rector,

I greatly appreciate the letter from Preslee Campbell.  She sounds like a very sweet young lady.  I only wish that she had sent her address so that I could write her back.

This is a great program you have here.  Not only does it provide something for soldiers, but it also involves our youth in what is going on abroad.

I am currently in a remote location in northern Iraq.  Our only form of entertainment is a DVD player and a gym.  I don't know if you'd be willing to send me a copy of your play or not, but I could certainly play it for the troops if you would.  Regardless, I appreciate all that you are doing for our troops.  Everyone that supports us is just as important as the guys in the trenches.

Thanks and God Bless You,
Maj Michael Kinard

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April 19, 2005 - Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

Dear Marsha and Bob and Mary (the young lady who wrote the letter),

Please forgive my bad hand writing.  Thank you, thank you and thank you all very much for writing.  Not many of us get letters often.

I want to express my thanks to Mary for her prayers for all the soldiers.  My name is Howard W. Loken, I am a Master Sergeant with the US Army.  We are stationed in Vicenza, Italy but deployed to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.  I have a wife, Teresa, and a 12 year old son, Phillip.  I miss them very much.  Thanks for your support and love.  If you all wish to continue writing we would greatly appreciate it.

Take care and Thanks is your service,

Howard Loken

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31 July 2004 - Kirkuk, Iraq

Dear Marsha Roberts and Bob Rector,

I just wanted to say Thank You for the letters you sent to my soldiers.  They are a big hit here and the soldiers love getting mail.   The soldiers will send thank you cards back to those who sent us letters.   Some do not have a return address, but we'll send letters back to those that do.  Letters of encouragement are much appreciated.  We really like the ones from the kids.   It is so amazing the things they say and the care they show to us.  As you stated in your letter, they do bring a smile and in many of them, a good laugh.   Truly inspirational.  I personally wanted to say thank you for the letters sent to my battalion and having the ability to hand out to the men in my Battalion.   Mail Call is a highlight of the day.  My Battalion has 470 soldiers and I assure you, these letters will be read over and over and exchanged between soldiers.   Thanks again, God Bless You and God Bless the United States.

June 9, 2004 - Persian Gulf

Marsha & Bob,

I had the rare privilege of reading a letter today (dated 10/3/03).  It was from the General Mills contest written by a 9 year old named Emilio.  I  wanted to say "Thank You" to both of you and all the children for the great encouragement.  I am just north of Baghdad and hail from Arkansas.  You all may consider us heroes, but in my book, all of you back home in the states are my heroes.  Thank you for thinking of us.