Blog | Operation American Soldier

Letter from Afghanistan

by OAS_Admin | Sep 3, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

Dear Friend,
I greatly apologize for the informality of this letter, and the amount of time that it has taken for me to respond. I can’t tell you how much your love, support, and prayers have meant to me and all of us here in Afghanistan, but unfortunately I have been overwhelmed by the job that I inherited about a month ago and haven’t been able to keep up with correspondence. I’m not one to throw in the towel, so I’ve just been doing the best that I can until a permanent replacement arrives, but it’s been extremely time consuming. I’ll just leave it at that. Regretfully, it has also taken me away from working with humanitarian assistance projects the way that I’ve wanted, and has even prevented me from visiting the chapel as much as I’d like. However, it has provided me the opportunity to broaden my horizons in ways that I never thought I would, and it has even given me a chance to meet and get to know many people that I probably would have never known otherwise. Hopefully, this temporary ride will be over soon, as I’m really looking forward to R&R and seeing my family in about three weeks, and I’m super excited that after R&R I will be heading back to my “old” job. It couldn’t come at a better time either, since that will put me about half way through this tour, and the general country atmosphere will be heading into the “easier” fall, as well as having some interesting fall projects planned for sharing the love of Jesus with the people of Afghanistan.

Before I go, I really want to make sure you know who much you mean to us here. Although some may not be familiar with how this “old school” snail mail works, but it really brightens the day. It’s extremely comforting to receive the encouragement and blessing that you send our way, and I’m not just talking about when you send “stuff” either, but that does make a huge difference. I’m hoping in the near future to actually get pictures of some of the trips that we’ve been on, and share them with you. Although MANY trips have been cancelled and/or cut short due to security, there have still been at least a few opportunities to REALLY get out there and make a difference. What’s so amazing is that I think the people that make the trips are just as blessed in being able to share “stuff” as those that receive it. There’s also just something about that personal interaction with God’s great children whether you speak their language or know their culture or not. So from the bottom of my heart, and with the utmost Love of Jesus, I say “Thanks!” for all that you do. You mean more to us than you’ll ever know, and you’re making an international, even Heavenly difference.

Hope to hear from you again soon, and pray that the blessings of our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, be upon you and yours, now and forever!

By HIs Grace!
Your Humble Servant Ronny

Chaplain Wead
Rock Chapel
HQ RS
APO AE 09356

Thank you letter

by OAS_Admin | Sep 3, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

From: “ColeenM”
Date: Aug 30, 2015 11:20
Subject: Moving

I wanted to say thank you for your support for the last couple months. I will be moving soon to another APO. I thank you once again.
Spc. McGonagle, Coleen
338th En Co

Sent from my iPad

Thank You from Kabul

by OAS_Admin | Sep 3, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Wendy,

Thank you again for continuing to supply us with care packages! We are so thankful for everything that you are doing for us! It is so funny to watch the faces of these grown men when they open these packages and to watch the excitement on their faces as they dig through the gifts.

I will be leaving within a two week period, not exactly sure when. I know that my replacements name is Yvette Sendejo and she will have the exact same address. I will notify her that you may continue to send packages to our soldiers through her. I can’t begin to thank you for supporting me and my soldiers throughout this deployment. It is something that I will never forget and will always look for ways to pay it forward!

Best wishes and much love from this side of the world!

Shannon

SHANNON RICHMOND
CPT, AN
PMHNP, 219th MED DET

USS McFAUL

by OAS_Admin | Aug 25, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

John & Wendy,

I just wanted to send you guys a big thanks for all the boxes of goodies you have sent to our ship! This is a wonderful idea that you have started. We have couple of guys here that do not receive anything so when they opened their boxes they were super excited. Especially being young new guys. God bless you and your family and once again, we are greatly appreciative of everything you do. Thanks!!!

Very Respectfully,

Trae Wicker
USS McFAUL DDG 74

Letter from USS McFAUL

by OAS_Admin | Aug 25, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

Dear John & Wendy,

I am the chaplain onboard the USS McFAUL and am writing to thank you for your generous care package which we received.
We appreciate your care and support so much.
Please extend our thanks to all the folks at Operation American Soldier.
Know that our Sailors will gratefully use the goodies, and through them, have their morale uplifted.
Please continue your great work for our military personnel.

With gratitude,
Chaplain Joseph Han

Letter from Kabul

by OAS_Admin | Aug 11, 2015 | Homepage post scroll, Inspiration, Letters from Soldiers

UNCLASSIFIED
Date: Wed, Jul 29, 2015 at 4:41 AM
Subject: (U) Thank you again!!

John and Wendy,
We have just received another shipment of goodies from Operation American Soldier! I will take some pictures of all of the thank you cards we have posted around our break room!! The problem is sometimes the internet is so slow that they won’t load onto an email, but I will keep trying!

Again, your generosity and well wishes astound us! I know I have told you before that we are on a NATO base in Kabul with several other nations. The soldiers from other countries are always shocked at how well supported our US troops are. They love to read the cards that come from the children (some of which make all of us laugh out loud)!! Of course, we share the wealth and allow them to take some of the treats. They really get nothing from people back home. The fact that we are getting so much love from complete strangers is amazing. THANK YOU!

I’m not sure if any of our other locations are sending you thank you emails. I would hope they are but I know people get really caught up with things around here and even the best of intentions are lost in the mix. Please know that I was in Herat last week- they had just received their most recent shipment- and they were so incredibly grateful and thankful for everything. I am currently in Bagram this week and the crew here sends enormous thank yous for all of their goodies!

Thank you for everything that you do to support us and keep us loaded up with morale! We are so appreciative in every way. If there is anything at all that you can think of that you would like from Afghanistan, please let me know!

V/R,
SHANNON RICHMOND
CPT, AN