One nation under God

ADOPTAPLATOON SOLDIER SUPPORT EFFORT

 November / December 2001 issue

Fight the Good fight!

Newsletter editor: Ida Hägg

Photographer: Jerry Lefkowitz

This issue is dedicated to all the fine men and women who sacrifice so much in service to our nation to insure that freedom will always ring! It is also dedicated to all the AAP Platoon Moms & Dads who must be counted among those who defend the freedom of our Nation!

A Beautiful Tribute

http://home.pressroom.com/epicovers/wtc/

The Adoptaplatoon would like to thank everyone who has embraced a U.S. deployed soldier and pledged support our service members deployed around the world. Right now, we are supporting thousands of soldiers letting them know they are not forgotten by any of us here at home and that we could never repay their sacrifices.  Since our nation was attacked on September 11^th, we have received thousands and thousands of email. We have not been able to respond to everyone and for that, we apologize deeply. If you want to help, please read "How to Support a Soldier" and fill out the form. You'll be contacted eventually, as we work through the list. Please be patient!

Happy Holidays to all our U.S. soldiers! May God bless them!

New Promotions!  Congratulations!

Platoon Mom Lori Porter is the proud mom of two young Soldiers due to be promoted to Captains on December 1^st!   Congratulations to:

CPT Daphne Curtin

CPT Jeffrey Knudson

HHD, 504^th MP BN

If you are looking for a holiday gift, Leatherneck-Magazine of the Marines will give you a great reason to seriously consider Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul as your choice. In the light of what is happening in our country today, Col. Michael Sullivan provides a poignant commentary as to why this "New York Times" bestseller should be in every household in America. Have a wonderful holiday season!

   Interested to receive a Personalized Autographed copy? To find out how, call us at 1-888-387-6373

  I recommend veterans of all our conflicts get a copy of "Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul," sit down with a young person and read it together. It will bring back memories, stir the soul and, just maybe, give the nation a young warrior with an appreciation for what it really means to be one.  This possibility, alone, is worth buying the book. Mike Sullivan

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

http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/

A soldier comes home!

As SPC Logan Lefkowitz, of the 340^th MP Co.,

arrived home to his native New York State after a long deployment to Kosovo. Logan’s mom Kathleen runs to greet him!  Logon is the proud son of Jerry and Kathleen Lefkowitz.

God Bless our Peacekeepers

Operation Holiday Eagle!

Many words of “thanks” are extended to

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 783 and VFW Post 5713 of Celina, Ohio for their support of our soldiers!

http://www.vva783.com/ohe.html 

http://www.vva783.com/ 

Operation    Crayon

DEPLOYED U.S. SOLDIERS ADOPT SCHOOLS

In conjunction with our U.S. soldiers deployed to the Balkans, we ask for your assistance in our soldier’s efforts to help children in war torn regions to rebuild their lives. Items desperately needed are winter clothing, socks, undergarments (k-9^th grades), school supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, writing tablets, workbooks, folders, crayons, or any school supplies) candy, gum, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Please send your love gift to one or more of the following Proud Army units who have adopted schools in Kosovo and Bosnia. Your kindness is deeply appreciated! "HOOAH!!

We will no longer publish on our website, Soldier Points of Contacts for the special campaigns we create in order to provide more support for our proud soldiers deployed around the world. Only those supporters who have been screened and have been verified and have been supporting a soldier via the Adoptaplatoon will be given the opportunity and honor to participate in these special endeavors.

The To Kosovo with Love Campaign that directs added support to our soldiers via the American Red Cross has been canceled until further notice.

Children of Kosovo Receiving needed supplies!

Southwest Airlines a Patriotic Leader!

Deployed soldiers all over the world and the Adoptaplatoon wishes to send special words of “thanks” and gratitude to Southwest Airlines for their support of our American troops!  The effort is being led and coordinated by Southwest’s very own, Ms. Lacey Waldrep, customer relations department. Ms. Waldrep has already received notes from several platoons asking that Southwest send a 737 to fly them home when their deployment ends next year; of course, we know our soldiers are kidding and that such a request is not within the realm of Southwest Airlines, but make no mistake, there is little our soldiers can ask for that Southwest Airlines does not deliver! The program called “Luv Letters” is currently supporting hundreds of soldiers via specific platoons deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. The support is deeply appreciated and it is with a heart full of joy that we say “thank you” to Southwest Airlines and their patriotic employees!

No one says it better than SWA President Colleen Barrett, “In spite of our collective grief, we have much to celebrate at this most special time of year. We rejoice in the warmth of the love of family and friends, and we rejoice in the light of America. Katherine Lee Bates, in America the Beautiful, wrote: "O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife. Who, more than self, the country loved and mercy more than life!" We celebrate all of our Heroes, and especially the Members of our Armed Forces on duty who stand fast to ensure that the light is never dimmed.”

Colleen Barrett
President and Chief Operating Officer

Southwest Airlines

www.southwest.com

and

Many thanks to Chris Wright and

Steam Reality Partners, Dallas, Texas!

Global Crossing North America

The Adoptaplatoon would like to thank Global Crossing North America for the wonderful patriotic service they are providing our U.S. deployed troops.

Beginning in mid November and ending December 31^st, our soldiers serving at KFOR HQ in Pristina, Kosovo can phone home for free! Karen Donahower, Network Service Delivery, Executive Escalations Lead, explains the program better than anyone…”We have an Audio Conferencing product called Ready-Access which provides instant conference calls without the need for reservations or operators. That is what we have set up for our soldiers. They have a dedicated 800 line with a PIN that allows access to up to 16 participants. It is free of charge

to all. It can be accessed via the Internet, or simply by dialing into the 800 # and entering the PIN.

Our soldiers at KFOR HQ send a big word of “thanks” for Global Crossings’ kindness to them especially at this time of year when families miss each other more than ever!

A Soldier’s Wife Writes about a Platoon Mom!

     As I got up this morning I noticed once again today it was raining in
Fayetteville, NC. I opened the paper only to see a ray of sunshine. Your
article "Platoon Mom" touched me in a way that I wanted to say thank you for
writing about the good people in America. Elaine Harmon is a wonderful woman.
She is the American that our soldiers live and die for. I wish I could thank
her for all that she has done. My husband too is in the military, and knowing
there are others that feel like I do I can sleep better at night. Mrs. Harmon
you are what makes America proud. So thank you both Tanya Blank for writing
about her, and Mrs. Harmon thank you for being you.

Sincerely, Christine Huckins, wife of SPC Huckins

Note to Platoon Mom Elaine Harmon: Elaine, you are a true patriot! We love you! ;o)

Our Soldier of the Month!

SPC Tami Mannion, 340^th MP Co., TF 716th

SPC Mannion just completed a six-month deployment to Kosovo

Before returning home, SPC Mannion rushed to the site of an accident near Camp Bondsteel administering first aid to the injured. Because of her efforts, lives were saved.  She received a coin of excellence!  SPC Mannion was supported while deployed to Kosovo by proud Texas AAP Platoon Mom Crystal Garza.

SPC Mannion will always be in our thoughts and prayers!

Crystal Garza, Proud Texas AAP Platoon Mom was SPC Mannion’s adopted mom during her deployment to Kosovo.

National Convention of the Veterans of the Vietnam War

On November 9-12, the Adoptaplatoon was invited to attend the Veterans of the Vietnam War Incorporated’s national convention in Washington D.C.  Ida Hägg, AAP founder addressed the Veterans. Also attending the convention was AAP Board Member, Fran Dobson, AAP Grant Facilitator Myron Dobson,  AAP Board Member Joyce Lisiewski and Joyce’s husband John.  The VVNW awarded the Adoptaplatoon a database so that support linked to our soldiers could be managed with much success.  We wish to thank Michael Murphy for all his hard work on the database! We will forever be grateful Mike! Other words of “thanks” are extended to VVNW Board Members Richard Schlude and the beautiful Nancy Verespy.

The Adoptaplatoon would also like to thank the Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. Post DE-01 and their Commander John W. Uibel.  Post DE-01 awarded the Adoptaplatoon a generous donation so that our mission supporting  U.S. deployed soldiers can continue!

We love you guys!

"An organization succeeds, not because it is long-established,
                        but because there are people in it who live it, sleep it, dream it,
                                   and build future plans for it.

 http://www.vvnw.org/

1C3 Tyson Enterline

Deployed on the USS George Philip

Tyson is the proud son of Diane Peerson. 

Chow-Hall, Camp Doha, Kuwait Campaign a Great Success!

The Adoptaplatoon would like to thank everyone who has been supporting our proud soldiers deployed to Kuwait!

A note from MSG Kevin Tatem

“This is one of the greatest things I've ever been a part of. You are all so wonderful!

We handed out tons of cards, toys, candy, gum, toiletries, games, presents,

tree decorations, cereal, socks, shirts, letters (wonderful letters &

pictures), puzzles, candy canes, and more and more and more. You all are so

fantastic, so great, so wonderful. Thanks so much!! MSG Kevin Tatem,

Fight the Good fight!”

If you would like to join our efforts standing behind our soldiers deployed to Kuwait, send your name, full address, day and evening phone number to:

ida@adoptaplatoon.org or Joyce@adoptaplatoon.org

***************

Some of our Soldiers who recently completed a deployment to Kosovo

"Bushmasters"

Soldiers from the 551^st MP Co.

Many thanks to SFC Thorpe and Platoon Mom and AAP Data Manager, Lesley Stephens for sending us the photo of our proud soldiers of the 551^st MP Co. who were recently deployed to Kosovo from Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt Romero Horvath, 21^st MP Co., (ABN), 4^th Platoon, TF 716^th MP BN,

 Platoon Mom Cyndi Herbst, proud adopted mom!

Let our soldiers know they are not forgotten!

God Bless our Peacekeepers

And their families!

Visit our Soldiers via KFOR on Line!

http://kforonline.com/

AAP Community Message Board

http://communities.msn.com/Adoptaplatoon

We are so proud of Platoon Mom Tammy Roberts, North Carolina for her fantastic efforts supporting the soldiers of the 27^th Engineering Battalion as well as this unit’s humanitarian efforts for the children of Kosovo. Captain Jason E. Kelly surprised Tammy with a Certificate of Appreciation from the battalion.

The U.S. flag that was raised over the WTC by NY city firemen will wave over the U.S. Theodore Roosevelt when it returns to the U.S. after covering the war in Afghanistan.

Mail Call

Letters from our soldiers

We “Secure the Flank!”

Sent to Platoon Mom Fran,

Thanks for the pic.  It is nice to put a face with a name.  Y’all are doing

Great things.  It is nice to be remembered and some soldiers get nothing

From home.  Thanks for securing the flank.

Tony

Note from Platoon Mom Doris Cole, Mo.

Hi All,

I received the following letter in the mail with the most beautiful stein from Kosovo.  I cried, it was so sweet.  I got a PLATOON MOM OF THE YEAR certificate from them with all their names on it and a certificate of appreciation. The letter meant the most and it makes me even more proud of the work I do for AAP and supporting out troops.  Just had to share it with you all.

Love ya all,

Doris

(The letter dated 2 Nov. 2001 is not added here in its entirety).

Dear Mrs. Cole (Mom), I want to say thank you for all that you have done for my platoon.  From all the care packages and letters to the emails, birthday and promotion cards, you did not miss a trick! Your overwhelming kindness and devotion for complete strangers with our only connection being that we are all Americans is a rare and incredible thing. The tragedy of the attacks on 11 September have seemed to draw our country together and renew the spirit of patriotism, but you needed nothing to inspire you to be patriotic because you are a true patriotic!  I am proud and honored to have been lucky enough to have you as my (our) platoon mom. On behalf of all the soldiers of 1^st Platoon, 340^th Military Police Company, please accept these certificates and Kosovo commemorative stein as a symbol of our gratitude for all that you have done for us. 

Eternally Grateful, 1LT Elvis L. Mabry

*****

Letter sent to Ida Hägg, AAP Executive Director,

Dear Mrs. Hägg, Many thanks for the wonderful packages you sent to our soldiers in Bosnia.  We’re very grateful to you for the time and effort …as well as the hard work… it took to get these parcels to our troops.  Since the recent attacks on the U.S., the support for our soldiers has increased tremendously.  What I find most commendable in your case is that the welfare of the troops has always been a concern.  Through the Adoptaplatoon Program, soldiers everywhere know that their sacrifices are appreciated, not only through the packages they receive, but also through the thoughts that go with them.  I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for all that you and the members of your group have done for America’s soldiers.

David H. Petraeus

Brigadier General, U.S. Army

SFOR HQ

To Platoon Mom Commanding Fran Dobson…. Dear Fran,

Thanks for the pic.  It is nice to put a face with a name.  Y’all are doing

great things.  It is nice to be remembered and especially when some soldiers get nothing from home.  Thanks for securing the flank. Tony, 1/121^st Infantry, Bosnia

 Letter sent to Platoon Mom Suzi Castiglione, Ohio…HELLO MRS SUZI,I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE MADE IT BACK TO
FORT STEWART SAFELY, AND WE’RE ARE HAPPILY BACK WITH OUR
FAMILIES.  I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DID
FOR US DURING OUR DEPLOYMENT.  YOUR LETTERS AND
PACKAGES GAVE US SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND FOR
SOME, IT WAS ALL THAT THEY HAD TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
THANKS AGAIN.  IT’S REALLY UNFORTUNATE THAT ALL
AMERICANS AREN’T AS SUPPORTIVE AND PATRIOTIC AS YOU.
AGAIN I WANT TO TELL YOU HOW APPRECIATIVE I AM OF YOUR
SUPPORT. TAKE CARE, SPC JAMES OSITIS, B TRP 3/7 Cav., Bosnia.

****

Letter sent to Platoon Mom Lesley Stephens, PA…Dear Ms. Stephens, I was really glad to hear from you. You do not know how  much I really appreciate the fact that you took time out to write to me.  For us to know that people back home realize that we are here and that they care means a lot to all the folks here.

Letter to Platoon Mom Commanding, Fran Dobson, N.H….Dear Fran,

We received all 5 goodie boxes for the people of Kosovo.  The

items were distributed during a Medical Assistance Mission that we conduct

every Friday.   The people go wild when we hand things like this out and

they really appreciated it all.  Any school supplies we usually give

directly to the school director.

These people are very, very poor.  Many live in housing conditions similar

to the US's 1920-30 or earlier.  Heat from a wood burning and seldom running

water in the house.  Most are unemployed and farm the local land to survive.

True some communities are better off - but many live in these conditions.

Just want you to know that your items went to a very good cause.

Thank you all of your contributions!!!!

Ava Corinne Davis

Medical Operations Officer

Task Force Med Falcon

Greetings From KFOR HQ, Kosovo,

I just wanted to send my thanks and appreciation for all you do on the
behalf of U.S. men and women serving overseas.  We have just started
receiving (real) coffee in our day room here at Film City, Kosovo.  And
believe me, it's absolutely terrific to be able to get a hot drink while
working late at night or having gotten up early.

As an American I'm proud to be able to serve here, and proud and grateful
for those like you that make our lives just a bit better.

Letter sent to Fran Dobson and Platoon Moms Sandra Aceves-Zuriaga, Leann Humphrey, Tricia Lentz , Tracy Van Dolah:

I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that the platoon packages
and letters are rolling in and everyone is loving it!  Thanks so much for
all you did to coordinate this -- what a great morale booster it is!  Please
tell all of your Moms and Dads thanks from me, personally!

Take care,
CPT Sarah Draper, 66^th MP Company

****

I would like to thank everyone involved in AAP for their support and friendship over the past 1 1/2 years. At this time now that I'm deployed it is even more appreciated, not to mention how much support you have given my lovely fiancee.

 I can't say how nice it was to have Carla, Rose, and Elaine at our going away family day. Thank you all, and I can't leave out Fran, Vicky, and most of all IDA, with out her I would not have met Carla.  Thank you all!!  SPC Randy Wessels!

****

Thank you all so much! You have made a world of difference in my life and in the lives of my soldiers and the people of Kosovo. Thanks once again. Love,

SSG Raleigh J. Heekin, C-Company, 3rd battalion 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army

Miss Kelsey Davis who is a junior at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas is currently a member of Silver Wings/Arnold Air Society and has been corresponding with AdoptaPlatoon for about 2 years now.  She has spread the word on the “Aggie” campus and was recently voted "Ideal Member" for the Regional Conference.  Miss Davis set up the AdoptaPlatoon for the group and was influential in having a POW Memorial on campus and then had a 24-hour vigil in dedication to the memorial. Kelsey, on 9/11, set up another memorial where students could write letters to the victims and rescuer and she made red, white, and blue ribbons for the

 students to wear. Kelsey went to the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets and got approval for the cadets to wear the ribbons on their uniforms.

God Bless Kelsey Davis and God Bless Texas!

Visit a Proud AAP Family

http://hometown.aol.com/mdrebangel/index.html

The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, Illinois support our soldiers with much fanfare and love!

Carol Marsh the museum’s president and founder has encouraged all “little hands and hearts” to participate in Operation Rainbow of Thanks via the Adoptaplatoon. The mission supports the troops by giving children, schools, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas in the Chicago area the opportunity to directly impact deployed American soldiers overseas with love and words of goodwill!

God bless Operation Rainbow of Thanks!

www.childrensmuseumoaklawn.org

God Bless our Peacekeepers!

Supporting a U.S. deployed soldier is a gift we give ourselves!

Mystery Machine!

Sgt. Todd Orear, 1/155 Infantry, Bosnia

Nuff Said!

Thank God for "OLD GEEZERS!"

Sent by Platoon Mom, Tanya Eversole, Ohio

"Geezers" are easy to spot; this is slang for an old man. But at sporting
events, during the playing of the National Anthem, they hold their caps over
their hearts and sing without embarrassment.  They know the words and
believe in them.  They remember World War I, the Depression, World War II,
Pearl  Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic
Age, the  Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing, not to
mention  Vietnam. If you bump into a "Geezer" on the sidewalk, he'll apologize, pass one on a street and he'll nod, or tip his hat to a lady.  "Geezers" trust strangers
and are courtly to women. They hold the door for the next person and always when walking, make sure the lady is on the inside for protection.

"Geezers" get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children
and they don't like violence and filth on TV and in movies.  Geezers have
moral courage. Geezers seldom brag unless its about the grandchildren in Little League or music recitals.

This country needs "Geezers" with their decent values and common sense. We
need them now more than ever. It's the Geezers who know our great country
is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women
in the military serving their country in foreign lands,  just as they did,
without a thought except to do a good job, the best you can and to get home
to loved ones.

  THANK GOD for "OLD GEEZERS.

14 Year-Old Kate pen pals with U.S. Soldier

I am a pen pal of 1LT. Catherine Bright and am proud of it because she
graduated from the US Military Academy and I plan on going into the US Naval
Academy. So, we have a lot in common as well.  I appreciate it so
much...you don't know how much this pen pal link has impacted my life and future.
THANK YOU!
      I read the newsletter and saw that you needed supporters, so, I will
be glad to assist in that matter. I have a lot of time on my hands other than
participating in US Military events for the past month (USMA and USNA).  I hope
all is well and good luck with this. Let me know if any more pen pals are
needed.  Respectfully,  Kate
                                          

AAP Board of Directors:

Ida Hägg

Joyce Lisiewski

Fran Dobson

SSGT Missi white

Gael O'Keefe

Brenda Stokes

*************************

Many thanks to TimeNet for their patriotic support.

God Bless our Peacekeepers and God Bless the U.S.A.

Thank you supporters and Platoon Moms for all your hard work and the

 dedication extended to our deployed troops!

American Spirit!

On September 11, thousands of
                            Americans lost their lives to a
                     senseless and cowardly act of terrorism
                             and an entire nation mourned.

However, these terrorists
                      knew nothing about the
            American spirit.

They greatly underestimated our
                         strength, resolve, and bravery.

We've met with disaster,
                       but we've come together in the midst
                           of adversity and found strength
                                   through one another.

We refuse to be beaten, bullied,
                               or weakened by terrorists.

And we are far from helpless.

We will stand together through
                              this crisis, and we will heal.

We will raise our flag
                           and let it fly high and victorious
                                    beneath the stars.

And we will emerge stronger
                                     than ever before,
                                united through our pride,
                                      our compassion,
                                   and our faith in God.

Know how to approach God in Prayer.

Go before God in faith and humility.

Let your soul go out in prayer for the good of others.

True prayer arises from the heart to God.

Chaplain Atanasio, Camp Casey, Korea

*****

Lead, follow, or get the heck out of my way!

New MP Speed Patrol

Sent by “Roger the Goldfish” and all his friends in New York City!

***

God bless our Peacekeepers and the

Adoptaplatoon Soldier Support Effort

Happy Holidays