Editor: Ida Hägg
Dedicated to the brave United States of America service men and women who serve this Nation on our behalf.
U.S. military
deaths in war on terrorism
Published 12/23/2002
Rest in Heavenly Peace...We love you!
On behalf of our deployed service members, we send every patriotic American our grateful words of “thanks” for all the support that was sent to the troops via the AAP during 2002. Our Operation Holiday Eagle Campaign was a tremendous success and we are deeply touched by the generosity and love received. We are also grateful for all the supportive letters we moms who manage the AAP have received. Even though our efforts call for long work hours, everyone agrees that it is a labor of love!
"The nation which forgets its defenders will be
itself forgotten." -Calvin Coolidge.
Ship to Be Built From Trade
Center Steel
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade
Center is headed to a Mississippi shipyard for use in the USS New York, a
warship named in honor of those who perished in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
The $800 million vessel should be ready for active duty in 2007. Currently,
only submarines are given state names, but state officials lobbied Navy
Secretary Gordon England to make an exception. Other Navy ships have been named
USS New York or USS New York City. The most recent USS New York was a
battleship, commissioned in 1914 that fought in both the Atlantic and Pacific
during World War II.
Joel Stashenko, The Associated Press
Royal Oak, Michigan shop owner sends love & care packages overseas
By: ELIZABETH A. KATZ, Daily Tribune, Michigan
Marie “Rio” Scafone
A busy schedule hasn't deterred Marie Scafone from getting involved in charitable works. For several months now, she has been a part of the AdoptaPlatoon program, sending weekly correspondence and monthly care packages to an aviation squad of 16 stationed at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan.
Message from a Supporter
I just happened to see an article on the AdoptaPlatoon in a magazine and wanted to write to tell you how great this is. I wrote to over 187 servicemen in Vietnam over 30 yrs ago and adopted A-Company, 5th Battalion, 7th 1st Air Cavalry Division. I still carry the picture some of them sent me at Christmas so long ago with the mud of Vietnam on it. I wonder if they came home, but it gave me such pride in these young men and I will never forget them. So from someone who did this with limited resources, I applaud your caring ways. J.Najar “Bunkiehead
When Eric Woodland of the1st Battalion, 319th AFAR, 82ND Airborne Division, (deployed to Afghanistan), sent his list of needed and desired items for his care packages, one of the things on the list was an electric cooker. We got one and knowing they would be there for a while, decided to send spaghetti, beef sticks and sauce with directions on how to cook them. We received a letter back from Eric who said he could cook, and then told us how wonderful the meal was and how much they enjoyed it. Hence the new name for this soldier, “Chef Eric!” Since then, we have sent several "meals on wheels" with recipes! One soldier wrote to say that the red beans with pepperoni should be ready in about 20 minutes and soldiers were lining up outside his tent. All this time we sent enough food for about 15 soldiers and then the next thing we know, they are trying to feed 50! As it turns out, when the remaining 319th arrived at the camp, they all wanted to eat what the cooker provided. The soldier told us that he was giving everyone "a spoonful of home" (and I imagine it was just a spoonful). This group has been such a joy to us (especially right now) and has corresponded so very well and Chef Eric keeps us right up to date. What a pleasure! His last letter indicated that the cooker was waiting patiently, but had no food to put in it! I have called for reinforcements and much is on the way!
God Bless our Peacekeepers! AAP Special Support Campaign Organizers,
Jan and Huggy Bear Williams, Tennessee
"AMERICA'S GUARD OF HONOR"
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Our family
signed up with Adopt-A-Platoon in early October 2002, and to our Thank you AdoptaPlatoon!! Cindy Brickley, Patriotic AAP Supporter Cindy’s soldier is SFC James Earp deployed with the 397th Engineering Battalion, 82nd Airborne currently deployed to Afghanistan. SPC Earp and his wife Tamara have two children, - Kevin, 8 years old and Matthew, 19 months old. Our prayers remain with this soldier, his company and his family. Dear God, Please send your angels to watch over our military families and give them courage as they patiently wait for their loved ones to return… AMEN. Visit Cindy Brickley’s Designer showrooms at:
http://www.thebasketeer.com The Tic-Tac-Toe games would put a smile on any soldier’s face! ;o) AAP Supporter says, “I want to RE-ENLIST for my 5th adoption!” My soldier, Sgt Mike (1/504 Parachute Infantry Regiment), asked for nothing except knowing that he and his men were in our thoughts and prayers, so that's exactly what I sent them in November. I created a huge (1.5 ft x 8 ft) sign and had friends at my American Legion Post sign it and attached messages from other "platoon moms" (both of 82nd Airborne and elsewhere). Sgt. Mike and his platoon are reading 130 messages from platoon moms from all over the country and from 30 from ex-"grunts" including 5 former 82nd Airborne and 3 from the 101st Airborne.
My #4 adoption of a solider is coming to an end and it would be an honor and
absolute PLEASURE to adopt a new FRIEND deployed overseas. Thanks for all
your efforts with this wonderful program! For me, it puts a human face on
the nightly news and makes me feel like I'm doing more than just putting a
flag on my house or car--- although I do that too. Nancy Massey, Great State
of New Jersey U.S. Engineering Company We want to take a moment to thank everyone involved in this program. On behalf of myself and the other veterans at U.S. Engineering Co., please accept our heart-felt appreciation for the work you folks have done to ensure our troops get the recognition they so richly deserve. You are tops! Richard Brotbeck
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We present a few letters from our soldiers for you to cherish
To the kids of the school in Florida, that adopted my company,
THANK YOU for the many letters! I apologize for not writing sooner, but
I misplaced your return address. I hope you receive this message and can forward your address to me. I still have all the letters and I will take them back to Ft. Lewis, Washington with me this month. THANK YOU kids! You are all a bunch of wonderful people and your teacher is very lucky to have you.
1SG Philip Chatigny
571st Military Police Company Guantanamo Bay, CUBA
Thank you Kingston Video, of Kingston, New Hampshire
I want to say thank you to Kingston Video, Kingston, N.H., from all the U.S. Service members here at HQ KFOR, Pristina Kosovo. As you know, we are going in to the winter months here, so the Videos and games you sent will be greatly appreciated. We received both packages and all the contents are in great shape. We thank you and all the great people back in our hometowns who provide us with your support every day. I will be sending a certificate of appreciation to the good people at Kingston Video. Thank you! Sgt. John Riecke, USAR
Chaplain Webb says, “Thank you!”
Dear Platoon Moms,
I
cannot thank you and AdoptaPlatoon enough for taking such an interest in the
1st. Battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Your efforts are touching the
hearts of the soldiers in my battalion in a mighty way.
We received packages with Charlotte Miller in Ohio, Dee Edsall in Florida and Fran Dobson in New Hampshire. All the cards, candy and toiletries were accepted with enthusiasm and gratitude. We are truly grateful. Your acts of kindness make life a lot better over here.
May the Lord continue to richly bless you.
Chaplain Webb
Greetings from Kandahar Airfield Afghanistan
Letter written to AAP Founder, Ida Hägg:
I wanted to take a quick minute to express my appreciation to you and your organization for all you are doing for the troops here. When we first arrived in country, we had one soldier who was not getting mail and we found your organization and signed him up! The next thing we know, all these people are sending him letters and packages and then suddenly, we all started to get mail from your group! I can’t express what an impact you and your fellow moms have had on my troops. I would especially like you to know that our platoon mom, Mrs. Nancy Salsman is doing a fantastic job! Not only does she take the time to bake us cookies and send packages, but she replies to each of our letters as well. She is wonderful to us. You are angels … pure angels. What you do for the troops is unlike anything we can do here for them. May God bless you and yours in return for the wonderful program you started! Captain Jon Harvey, 82nd ABN Division
A-Company, 1/504th, 2nd Platoon, 82nd airborne soldiers
Love their Platoon Mom, Jacqueline Taylor (Texas). The following are notes from Jackie’s soldiers.
Thank you for your packages. It really made my guys’ day to know that there are people out there supporting us. We don't get a lot of news out here so at times it seems the rest of the country has moved to thinking about other things." Just remember us and know that we are over here so that you and our families can enjoy our great country the way it is supposed to be, Peaceful and Free. Thank you and all the other PLATOON MOMS! God Bless You, SFC Ken White
We appreciate your support very much, and we are glad to
Know that there are good people like you supporting us. Cpl Davis
Thank you so much for your support of our platoon. We are proud to be over here doing our part for the nation and it brings a smile to our face knowing that we are cared for back home. Sgt Willie Woods
Thank you for your packages that you have sent to our platoon. Your generous gifts help our morale. The thought that people like you who still care for what we do is very helpful. SSG Todd Greene
I would like to thank all of you for the goodwill you have toward the service members around the world. Sincerely, SSG Melton Johnson, HHC, 1-64th Armor Battalion
A-Company, 1-64th Armor
Out of Fort Stewart, GA
www.2ndplatoon.com
Platoon Mom Karen Ballard shares her soldier letters
SSG Mike Orabona writes: "We all appreciate the packages you have sent us. You really have been a 'mom' to this platoon. We lucked out when you adopted my platoon.”
PFC Chris Switzer writes “Thank you very much for the CD's. I thought everyone forgot about my birthday, but I guess not."
They said it is taking about 2 months turn around time for letters to get in and out of Afghanistan. I have received so many letters from soldiers that I have started a scrapbook with all of them. By the way, I want to thank everyone for the congratulatory cards and letters sent to my son Charlie when he was promoted. He said he had so many, his mailbox was full and he is still reading them. He asked that I tell everyone "thank you" from him. He said that they really made his day. Charlie told me that Adopt A Platoon is a lifesaver for so many soldiers. He said AAP makes a difference in the lives of soldiers. Platoon Mom Karen Ballard
If you are a soldier and would like to be supported by the AdoptaPlatoon, write to:
Fran Dobson
P.O. Box 55
Kingston, NH 03848
fran@adoptaplatoon.org
If you are interested in supporting the troops, please click on “How to Support a Soldier” within the AdoptaPlatoon website.
Platoon Moms are some of God’s angels
When Diane Chambers of western suburbs Chicago decided to adopt a platoon, she enlisted the help from her friends who she now calls “platoon angels.” As Diane tells us, “If young men and women can risk their lives for my freedom, the least I can do is send them hugs from home. My platoon angels buy treats and write letters to their soldiers and have touched my heart as well as the hearts of our soldiers. With the help of these fantastic women, we have managed to adopt two platoons, one in Afghanistan and one in Kuwait. It has been so much fun putting the support boxes together! When one of us receives a letter from a soldier, we are all excited for a whole week! AdoptaPlatoon gives us the opportunity to make a difference in the world, one soldier at a time. Our freedom keepers deserve our support, and we are proud to assist them.
May God always bless the kindness we sent to our U.S. deployed service members serving so far from home, and may God bless those who dedicate themselves to our cause!
Christmas Angel
I would like to thank you for allowing me to participate in the AdoptaPlatoon soldier program. I was linked to a special soldier (Tina Johnson 94th maintenance company). This is something very special that you do and allow others to participate in. I also want you to know that it gives me great honors to do this. We, at work, every Christmas, pull a Christmas angel. That is where we pull names of people and give gifts to that person. Someone looked at me and asked with a smug tone to their voice "why didn’t you take an angel?" I said, I already took mine through AdoptaPlatoon and I was able to adopt a soldier. I tell you what… I was glowing for the rest of the day. Keep up the great job! Bridget Eckert
Nothing Holds Platoon Mom Down for Long!
Platoon Mom Elaine Harmon, New Jersey, who recently underwent surgery, cannot be held down for long. Accustomed to sending tons of care packages filled with much needed goodies to soldiers, Elaine has continued to write letters and cards, and send small boxes from her recovery bed and smile.
We pray for a speedy recovery … May God always bless you Elaine!
Platoon Mom Janet Irvin, Fruita, Colorado, Rallies her Community
Platoon Mom Jan Irvine Receives Post Office surprise!
When Jan Irvine isn’t writing to her soldiers, shopping for her soldiers, rallying her community in support of her soldiers, or baking for her soldiers, she can be found at the U.S. Post Office in Fruita, Colorado doing her soldier mailings. Here is the story in Jan’s words, “I went to Post Office today to mail cookies to my three Army platoons and got a marvelous gift. All of the folks in our small post office got together to make a donation to help me mail my packages and they gave me a card with $135.00 in it. I was absolutely astounded. It was a great Christmas present for my soldiers and me! May God bless the U.S. Post Office and all the postal employees who struggle daily with our heavy care package boxes!” The AAP sends many hugs and grateful words of “thanks” to the postal workers in Fruita. Colorado.
Platoon Mom Jan
Irvine &
Platoon Pup Rocky
May we
never forget
those who already have
and those who will be called upon
to protect and defend
Our Nation and our way of life.
Santa Claus Visits U.S. Forces in Kuwait
Good News!
The State of Florida Thorobred Fillies has donated $250 toward the support of platoons under the care of Platoon Mom, Dee Edsall also of Florida. Many words of gratitude are sent to these marvelous generous ladies who are truly a Godsend to many deployed U.S. soldiers.
Care Package ideas!
Zip lock bags, that awful canned cheese that civilians hate, summer sausage, crackers batteries and socks!
Thank you America
All of us here at the AdoptaPlatoon: board members, manager staff and platoon Moms, would like to thank the thousands of volunteer supporters who have been diligently supporting our proud military! We pray that God will always bless you!
Lest we forget the motto of the United States of America: In God We Trust
AdoptaPlatoon Program Managers
A Special “thank you” is extended to the AAP staffers who make the AdoptaPlatoon possible. The following folks volunteer long hard hours ensuring that potential supporter information is verified, sending soldier delivery letters, working on campaigns, answering countless emails and updating endless rosters. You are truly amazing and should always count yourselves among those who defend the freedoms of our country.
Jan Williams, Tennessee
Dee Edsall, Florida
Donna Matters, Maryland
Lesley Stephens, Pennsylvania
P.J. Knowles, New Hampshire
Jerry Lefkowitz, New York
Pam Brunette, Indiana
Tricia Lentz, Pennsylvania
Barbara Chen, Pennsylvania
Charlotte Miller, Ohio
Jacqueline Taylor, Texas
Karen Ballard, Texas
Tammy Edwards, Pennsylvania
Carla Haladey, Ohio
Crystal Fox, Florida
Board
of Directors
Ida Hägg, Chairman of the Board,
Texas
Joyce Lisiewski, Co-Chairman, Ohio
Fran Dobson, Platoon Mom Coordinator
TSGT Missi White, U.S. Air Force (deployed)
Brenda Stokes, Texas
God Bless our Peacekeepers!
An entry in a German officer's diary found after the battle on Anzio beachhead.
"American parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."
AdoptaPlatoon - Supporting our deployed sons
and daughters!
www.adoptaplatoon.org
