January/February 2002 Issue
Newsletter editors:
Joyce Lisiewski
SSgt Missi White
This issue is in tribute to America’s fallen sons and daughters --
Theirs is the ultimate sacrifice towards this countries freedom
Captain Matthew W. Bancroft, US Marine Corps
Lance Corporal Bryan P. Bertrand, US Marine Corps
Gunnery Sergeant Stephen L. Bryson, US Marine Corps
Sergeant 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman, US Army
Staff Sergeant Watler F. Cohee, III, US Marine Corps
Master Sergeant Jefferson Donald Davis, US Army
Staff Sergeant Scott N. Germosen, US Marine Corps
Sergeant Nathan P. Hays, US Marine Corps
Captain Daniel G. McCollum, US Marine Corps
Sergeant Dwight J. Morgan, US Marine Corps
Sergeant 1st Class Daniel Henry Petithory, US Army
Staff Sergeant Brian Body Prosser, US Army
Sergeant Jeannette L. Winters, US Marine Corps
Also, in gratitude to the countless others, all over the world, who have dedicated their lives to ensure America, remains,
“One nation, under God, INDIVISIBLE!
Note from one of this month’s editors…
All I can say is “WOW”! For those who have been with AdoptaPlatoon for the past couple of years, this newsletter first started off as a monthly “What’s Happening” email, written from my shoebox of an apartment in New Jersey or while deployed to Tuzla, Bosnia. Then again, we also only had a handful of Platoon Moms (no Dads at that time), and the question of being able to match all of our deployed members with support, was readily on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
In the short year that I have been away from the ‘mix’ of AAP business, while on yet another yearlong adventure of my own (Korea), I am absolutely touched by how AAP has grown and the endless support Armed Force members, like myself, continue to see. It takes all of you to make this happen, from our Majestic Founder, Beautiful Mrs. Ida Hägg and The ‘Almighty of the House’, Joyce Lisiewski, through the Platoon Moms and Dads, down to every single supporter…it is a true miracle what dedicated hearts can accomplish. All the best to each and every one of you!!!
Now, to quote Eddie Murphy in Nutty Professor, “Let’s get Busy!”
--SSgt Missi White
WELCOME HOME OUR OWN SSGT MISSI WHITE
After one a long one-year deployment to Korea, our own AAP board member and active Air Force SSGT, Missi White, has returned for a short one-month vacation until she heads off to another yearlong assignment in Honduras. Missi is one of the most dedicated members of our military AND supporter of our soldiers for AdoptaPlatoon. Not only does she serve our country, but while she is serving, weather it's in Turkey, Saudi, Bosnia, Korea, Egypt, she is also supporting other soldiers and working hard on AAP paperwork. Missi used to send out a monthly update (see above) but sometimes it's difficult with her military duties. So enjoy her comments above, and let's welcome her home (even if it's for a short while.) Here are a couple of great pictures of Missi – one while on leave NOW with her friend, fellow Air Force national guard, Jeff (on left) and Missi when she was in Korea with her chemical gear on (on right).
IN THE NEWS…
Air Force recognizes events of Sept. 11
Aircraft nose art with the words "Let's roll!" -- America's two-word marching order in the fight against terrorism -- will be displayed on various aircraft throughout the Air Force as a way of recognizing the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93, made the words famous. Beamer, a 32-year-old businessman, Sunday school teacher, husband, father and hero, led other passengers in fighting terrorists for control of Flight 93 before it crashed into a field in western Pennsylvania. He was overheard on a cellular phone reciting the Lord's Prayer and saying, "Let's roll!" as passengers charged the terrorists. The passengers of Flight 93 won one of the first victories in the fight against terrorism
The "Let's roll!" nose art is being used to continue the remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, spur on the nation's current patriotic spirit and pay tribute to the heroes and victims in the war against terrorism. It is anticipated that the art will start to appear on Air Force aircraft around Jan. 15.
Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act
Many times families encounter financial difficulties as a result of sudden activation and mobilization (deployments). Under the provisions of this act, qualified members may receive and or all of the following:
- Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments
- Reduced interest rate on credit card debt
- Protection from eviction if your rents is $1,200 or less
- Delay of all civil actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings
For more information:
Department of Defense Announces Tax Break for
Operation Enduring Freedom
Service members deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom, effective September 19, 2001, will receive an extensive tax break. Enlisted members and warrant officers will pay no federal income tax on all basic pay and special pay. Officers will pay tax only on portions of their pay that exceeds the highest enlisted pay plus the $150 imminent danger pay.
Eligible service members also receive an automatic extension to file their taxes.
For more information
The Navy
has developed a web-based alternative
to benefit members of all services. The program can be
reached at the Navy LIFELines Services Network at
http://www.LIFELines2000.org
or
http://AnyServiceMember.Navy.mil
Army News Link
Remember our U.S. deployed soldiers on Valentine’s Day © by sending one or two boxes of children's Valentine Cards and lollipops! After writing, “We’re proud of our U.S. soldiers” on each card, tie a small red ribbon around the lollipop, add your name, city and state and attach a lollipop to each card using clear tape. You can also send Valentine Candy hearts (the ones with messages on them) with your Valentines. Send one box of candy for each card. Your Valentine © will be passed out to our soldiers. Mail in a (free) Priority Mail box obtained at the U.S. Post Office (don't forget to ask clerk for custom form). Please contact EyesOGren@aol.com or marysworker@aol.com, to find out where you can send your Valentine gifts© to our Soldiers.
Please add the word “AdoptaPlatoon” within your return address, just under your name, for security reasons.
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - LUV LETTERS
For the past five months, Southwest Airlines' employees and their families have been adopting U.S. soldiers deployed overseas. "We have most of the platoons in Kosovo right now, and have more trickling in everyday who need to be adopted," says Lacey Waldrep, LUV LETTERS team leader. LUV LETTERS has grown to involve the entire company, system-wide, including more than thirty work groups and more than 100 individual employees. The LUV packages have included edible goodies to reading materials to encouragement videos. "Recently, I viewed a video that our People Department put together that shows Southwest Airlines employees singing, dancing and performing skits – sure to add a little laughter to our soldier camps overseas", says Waldrep. "What a great feeling to know that our Southwest spirit is being felt so far away," says Waldrep. A big “HOOAH” is sent to this wonderful organization for supporting our American heroes. We're glad you're part of AdoptaPlatoon!
PLATOON MOMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
(Drum-roll Please…)
Platoon Mom Tanya Eversole
Pretty Mrs. Tanya comes to us LIVE from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the proud leader of the following Marine pack and the Proud wife of a retired Marine (Semper Fi). Her two sons and daughter-in-law are marines (left), and her nephew (right) just finished boot camp. Otherwise lovingly known as ‘The Slavedriver’ by fellow AAP managers, Tanya, believes in a “nose to the grindstone,” philosophy and possesses a heart that expands further than the Great Plains. She has been a major asset to AAP's work in making sure our rosters are correct and getting our soldiers adopted out in a timely manner. YOU ROCK, TANYA!
Platoon Mom Dee Edsall
Sweet Mrs. Dee, a longtime dedicated, “let’s get motivated” Platoon Mom, comes to us from Oscala, Florida, and is a proud mother and wife AND recently, the proud grandmother of a new grandson, born January 6th. Dee has been with AAP from the beginning and has contributed articles and edited previous newsletters as well. Her dedication to our soldiers and her patriotic spirit is awesome. YOU ROCK, TOO, DEE!
SPOTLIGHT SOLDIER TIM MORTENSON
PFC Timothy D. Mortensen
PFC Tim is with the HHD, 504th MP BN platoon, and currently deployed to Kosovo as an intelligence analyst in the TF 504 S-2 platoon. He is originally from Hibbing, Minnesota, where he enjoyed riding his racing quad (four wheelers), hunting, fishing (especially with his dad), and most important, spending time with his loved ones ~ mom, dad, sister, brother, and of course his niece and nephew. Tim takes his work in the army very seriously, and we know that his family is very proud of him - as we are!!!!!
Carla & Randy – A Sweet Love Story
“Randy and I have always said our love is unique, special and growing stronger everyday. And that is was definitely fate which brought us together,” says Carla LaVigne of Westlake, Ohio. Randy Wessels, a specialist with the Massachusetts National Guard and an EMT for a living, came across the AdoptaPlatoon website in July 2000 and was impressed with the support given to our military. After checking out the site, he met his beautiful future wife, Carla, who was a devoted volunteer with AAP since 1999.
We are proud to announce that family and friends will join them on September 1, 2002, in Niagara Falls, Canada, to witness their special day as they make their vows to become husband and wife.
Randy is now serving our country with the 1-181th Infantry in Bosnia, and Carla works as a deputy museum director at the maritime museum in Cleveland, Ohio. Randy is dedicated to writing to school children in Cleveland, Ohio, while being deployed and plans to visiting them with Carla when he returns home.
Our congratulations to this beautiful couple on their engagement and upcoming marriage.
Mail Call
LETTERS FROM OUR SOLDIERS
To all the AAP Moms, Thanks for packing our chutes!
With love, an AAP Son
SFC Stefan Suratt
After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison.
He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"
"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.
"I packed your parachute," the man replied.
Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.
The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."
Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said 'Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."
Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.
Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?" Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory-he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.
As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachute. I am sending you this as my way of thanking you for your part in packing my parachute! And I hope you will send it on to those who have helped pack yours.
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PFC LINGO would love
to share his website with all of you – check out
www.geocities.com/casaidstation
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Platoon Mom Suzi Castiglione received a great letter from one of our supporters, Leah Fancher – "Hey Suzi, I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you that my soldier called me on the 22nd after receiving my package and his call was just the sweetest thing ever! I never imagined how doing something so small like adopting a soldier, could make you feel so good. We have spoken on the phone 3 times since then and have sent many emails. I just wanted to say “thanks a bunch” for your help in getting me assigned a soldier before Christmas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cpt. Barbara Reilly, TFMF, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo sends Ida a Merry Christmas and letting us know that because of all of you, the soldiers had a very Merry Christmas. Cpt. Reilly said "I and TFMF are in awe of the support we have been receiving." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SGT Conrad College writes to Our Command Mom, Fran: "Hi Fran, thank you so much for being a Company Mom. All soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines do appreciate all of your efforts. I am speaking for the silent majority, when I say we really, really, really, very much appreciate your love and concern and efforts and mail and your time and everything else." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Platoon Mom Cheryl Monterio received her first "mom" letter from her soldier, PVT. Shane Atkinson…"Hello Plt. Mommy, how are you and your family doing this holiday season….I just wanted to take the time and thank you for sending me those great gifts, it means a lot to receive something from somebody that really cares about people like myself……You should have seen everybody smile when they received the stuff that you sent…….I enclosed a picture to remind you that you really made a true friend…..thank you for doing what you did…."
OUR SOLDIERS HAVE BIG HEARTS!! www.geocities.com/kosovoschool
Platoon Mom Vicky Lysak writes a note to Ida on New Year's Eve…."well, I just shed the first tears of the new year… Not out of sadness, but because God brought us all together and is helping us all do amazing things together… Life is so-o-o scary but going through it with people you love and trust and respect, makes it a lot less scary…. Good night Ida and thank you for everything…Once again, Happy New Year!!!! Lots of love…." |
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Note from 391st MP
Detachment,
Kosovo 1/13/02L Thanks for your support. To past, present, and future friends who have written to us or sent goodies. Thank you for all that you do. We're working hard to do our part to make the world a better place. Please tell your friends to thank a veteran, those great soldiers who have already served, to make our world safe and secure. We wish all of you the best of times, and happiness in your daily lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Letter sent to Platoon Mom Jan and Platoon Dad Hubby Bear Williams:
Please inform your group that the gifts we have received have brighten the days of each of the soldiers and brought a little bit of home here. Please pass on to your group our websites, so they can get a better feel of who they are supporting. 240th Forward Surgical Team Cpt. Tom Weichart
Task Force Med Falcon in Kosovo www.members.tripod.com/tfmedfalcon/ Med unit at Camp Able Sentry www.geocities.com/casaidstation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPC Leah Ingraham deployed to Kuwait writes to Nanny Fran (as the soldiers lovingly call her), about how much they appreciate our campaign "Operation Chow Hall" – "…thank you so much! There were many letters and packages and goodies sent out for the soldiers here. I just couldn't believe how much stuff was there for US! You guys really do make a difference…. Thanks again." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Platoon Mom Pat Poth says…."Getting these “thank yous” from our soldiers renews that brand new feeling…and just makes you want to do more……."
SGT John Washburn writes a note to Platoon Mom Elaine Harmon…"Elaine, you are so very right that the soldiers do care. If it were not for the kindness of all of you, we (all the service members) wouldn't have a worthy cause to fight or defend. All of the AAP “Angels” will never truly know the great feelings you leave in our hearts. It is one thing to stand at a guard post in a country in which you are not really sure who the enemy is, but it is another thing to get off guard duty and have mail and care packages waiting for you sent from someone you have never met. Every time I think of just how much the Angels of AAP have done for me and the soldiers with whom I served, a tear forms in my eye. So if your soldiers have not said it, let me be the first to say ‘THANK YOU’ FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR YOUR SERVICE MEMBERS! It doesn't matter if it comes from a white haired lady pushing a stroller or a 6'5" football player...just knowing someone cares is good enough for us. Again…thanks for all of you."
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SOLDIERS FROM THE HHD, 504th MP BN platoon, and currently deployed to Kosovo CELEBRATE NEW YEARS EVE WITH BOTTLED WATER in KOSOVO!
(from left to right: SFC CIOTA, Tiger (on SFC CIOTA's shoulder), PFC Morris, PFC Mortensen, 1LT Rauh)
OUR VERY OWN, CHAUNCEY HÄGG, THE SOLDIER WHO STARTED IT ALL…By writing to his mother, Ida, while he was in Bosnia, telling her that he had nine battle buddies NOT getting mail, Chauncey Hägg inadvertently started the AdoptaPlatoon. From the original nine soldiers to over 10,000 soldiers we have supported over the past three years, we are proud to say that the AdoptaPlatoon continues to grow! Now that Chauncey has completed his military service, he's still hard at work helping with AdoptaPlatoon by continuing his education and giving us his expertise on everything from care package goodie items to helping with our roster management, and computer technical support. His ideas are helping to make us better aware of our soldiers’ needs and most importantly, helping to keep mom's computer in tip-top shape!
“Thank you” Chauncey!
Chicken Soup
for the Veteran’s Soul
is
one book you will want to keep for yourself
and then send
a copy to
someone you care about.
If you would
like an autographed
copy of this New York Times bestseller,
call toll free: 1-888-387-6373
Don’t forget to send a copy to your soldier!
The Articles of the Code of Conduct
ARTICLE I:
I am an American, fighting in the armed forces that guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II:
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
ARTICLE III:
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV:
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action that might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them in every way.
ARTICLE V:
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country or its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI:
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles that made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AdoptaPlatoon Board of Directors:
Ida Hägg
Fran Dobson
Joyce Lisiewski
Gael O'Keefe
Brenda Stokes
SSGT Missi White
Words of great thanks are sent to everyone who reaches out to make sure a soldier is not forgotten!
God Bless our Peacekeepers
and God Bless the U.S.A