Feb 12, 2012…”Some of us don’t have family…”
Feb 13, 2012…”My soldiers also received their packages…”
Jan 18, 2012…”we sincerely appreciate all the love…
Jan 29, 2012…”sometimes jump up and down like a little kid…”
Nov 19, 2011…nice coming back to a Care Package
Nov 27, 2011…Brian got the boxes
Dec 12, 2011…great news
October 6, 2011…"more than you guys imagine"
Sept 11, 2011…"really brought our morale up"
August 19, 2011…“small basics that are taken for granted...”
Aug 21, 2011…“believe it or not, my son works here in the same office…”
August 7, 2011…“thanks for the awesome boxes…”
July 18, 2011…” I love the Hickory Farms stuff….”
Aug 3, 2011…”it was like Christmas time…”
PJ, Thanks for all the care packages.
PJ and friends from NC,
Hello all,
Hello all,
Dear Back Home Box crew,
Dear PJ and The Back Home Box Foundation,
Hello BHB Foundation
Dear PJ and All who support us:
Hi PJ,
Hello All,
PJ, Thanks so much for sending the humidor and the cigars.
Sirs,
Hello BHB
There is simply no way to thank those who have supported us,
Back Home Box Foundation,
Greetings from Iraq!
PJ et al…
Dear Foundation,
BHB Foundation,
Dear Foundation,
Sir or Madam:
A Break to the Monotony... 2/15/2009
Serving Our Great Nation... 2/13/2009
Those Milky Way's.....2/3/2009
Rachel bought some Milky Ways, I bought a cube of 25 cigars, and Bryan packed a special box for this soldier. I e-mailed him to say he needed to kick some a** if he didn't want to lose the Milky Ways this time.
Brightens a Soldier's Day... 2/13/2009
PJ and friends from NC,
Thanks so much for the box and goodies. It is great to hear from friends back home. Sometimes home can seem so far away, but hearing from folks back home always brightens a Soldier's day. I wish you, and everyone involved with Back Home Box Foundation, the very best.
Good to Hear From People in NC...10/20/08
A Great Morale Booster..9/30/2008
Little Things Bring Some Sanity...8/31/2007
A Bunch of Hungry Puppies... 5/11/2007
It Was Such A Great Surprise... 2/5/2009
Truly A Blessed Nation... 2/13/2009
Jan 10, 2012…”I shall see the great America soon…”
Hello all,
I just want to take this chance to say thank you all for everything! I have gotten many boxes of goodies from "back home"! We only have couple of months left here, and the unit have already informed us to stop all incoming mail. I really enjoyed all things that came in the boxes! I have even shared with my fellow Soldiers and interpreters. Once again thank you all very much for your support! I shall see the great America soon! Can't wait!
Sgt Brian K
Hello,
My name is SPC Breland, and I have received the Back Home Box. Thank you for all of your support. Some of us don't have family to do these nice things. I know that you said that no thanks were needed but I am truly appreciative and it was definitely owed.
Thanks again,
Spc Breanna B
I received a package from your organization and I wanted to take a moment to tell you thank you, it was very much appreciated. My Soldiers also received their packages and were very excited.
Tracy S
Dear BHB,
We have received the latest boxes that you all sent over. Once again, we sincerely appreciate all the love you have shown to us with your ministry. These should keep us stocked with goodies until we leave here, which is not far off. Thank you so much for your kindness.
Gunny Sgt Wayne H
Hey PJ!
Thanks for the boxes. As a part of my extra duties, I am one of the mail clerks for the unit, and I know it makes a HUGE difference to a soldier’s morale to get packages. I see them smile, laugh, and sometimes jump up and down like a little kid when i bring them something, but I also see the faces of those that don't get things often. They are soldiers and will soldier on without saying much, but I see the hope on their face dashed when they realize that they didn’t receive anything.... yet again.
So I REALLY appreciate you asking about soldiers who don't normally get anything, because it makes SUCH a difference to them when something arrives unexpectedly. That feeling of being remembered is a truly uplifting and enduring feeling that doesn't quickly fade.
But of course you already know all of this... which is why you are doing what you do. I just want to say thanks yet again for helping my fellow soldier’s morale.
Ryan T
Dear Back Home Box Foundation,
I just wanted to take the time to write you and thank you for sending us care packages. Your support means a lot. I am a combat medic and a nurse - I am the medical personnel provided for convoys going up north into Iraq. Our missions range from a few days to a couple of weeks. It's always nice coming back to Kuwait with a care package and wonderful, supportive letters waiting for you. Knowing that we are in your thoughts keeps us going. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to take a picture with this particular care package. But thank you for all of your support.
-SPC Christina N
469th Med Co (Ground Ambulance)
Got the boxes! Awesome! Thank you aunt Peggy and uncle Tony. and aunt Peggy, can you tell PJ and everyone from the Back Home Box Foundation that I said thanks! Everything in the box is great, especially the letters from the 4th grade students!
(Note – aunt Peggy is the BHB favorite Postal Clerk at Westgate PO…her nephew Brian is deployed until April 2012.)
PJ,
Great news. The package arrived a couple days ago! A big "Thank You" from me and the other guys over here for the support and time put into the package.
Matt
We received two care packages today and would like to thank you all very much.
We are very grateful for all the items that were sent. Mostly we are so grateful for the people who took time in their lives to really help us out.
It touches our heart more than you guys imagine.
We would love to write back continuously and keep in touch.
It is amazing what you all are doing.
Thank you once again.
Juliett D,
the 469th medical company, ground ambulance
I am a Section Chief of a Field Artillery Section out here in COP Jaghato, Afghanistan. Me and my soldiers received a Care Package from you and has really brought our morale up. Food items are hard to come by out here. We do not get a hot meal for Lunch Chow so all the snacks really do help us out. So, on behalf of 7th Section Alpha Battery 4-1 Field Artillery we would all like to thank you dearly from the bottom of our hearts. THANK YOU!!! You have made feel like we were back home.
Danny R,
Greetings,
Thank you very much for the package that we, Feyzabad Resident Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently received. I believe that the box came to us in a round-about manner. Nevertheless, we got it and really appreciate the stuff from home. The camp where we are stationed is a German Military installation. As such, we don’t have quick and easy access to typical items from home like certain candies and other small basics that are typically taken for granted. Additionally, we are very grateful for the time, effort and expense that it takes to send the packages out.
I attached a few pictures.
Robert C
Dear Back Home Box,
A wonderful box arrived here in Kabul this week addressed to Paul Spears, 25th Sig Bn, ITT Systems NOC, 09356. I am Paul Spears Sr and, believe it or not, my son, Paul Spears Jr., works here in the same office with me. Not knowing which of us the package was intended for, we simply split the contents. We both wanted to send our sincere thanks for the thoughtfulness and the expense that went into the preparation and shipment of that box.
From both Paul Spears', we thank you. :)
Paul Spears Sr.
Back Home Box Foundation: Wow! Thank you so much for the awesome boxes you
sent to us! Our chaplain got some in from you all and I just wanted to let
you all know how much we appreciate it here! We are at a base near Baghdad
and it is not too bad but very hot now. We have been here almost 6 months
and are getting ready to move to another base for the remainder of our
deployment. It has taken some getting used to out here. My unit is
responsible for guarding detainees here and I am one of the medical
officers. Needless to say it is interesting!
Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support and goodies! :) The
Soldiers always are so happy to see the donations from you all.
Thank you and have a great rest of your week!
V/R,
Madeline McAlister
Whether you need thanks or not...Thank you so much for your concern and
compassion on our Soldiers! It means the world to me and to them that people
in the States care enough about them to think of them and send them things,
no matter what those things are. I personally am very excited because I
love Hickory Farms stuff! Thank you for all you do and I will make sure I
send pictures and thanks in different directions as the packages begin
arriving.
Chaplain Stephen Dicks
40th Military Police Battalion Chaplain
Camp Cropper, Iraq
Dear Back Home Box,
I just wanted thank you so much for taking the time in putting together the three wonderful care packages we received today. The packages you sent us made us feel like it was Christmas Time. The playing cards, chess set, hygiene items, candy, snacks are definitely items that brings smiles to the Soldiers faces and give a great boost to morale. It is people like yourselves that make me and my Soldiers so proud and honored to sever our Great Country. Thank you again for your generosity and kindness!!
V/R
We have been able to support a bunch of soldiers in our outlying bases with the things you have sent. The notes, cards, and drawings from the kids have been a great morale booster for all of us, especially us dads in the group.
I will be transitioning out of here pretty soon so I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has added a little brightness to some otherwise bad times. You are an inspiration to me to help others when I return home.
If you are ever through Louisville, KY, please look me up.
Sincerely,
LTC Steve K
Thanks so much for the box and goodies. It is great to hear from friends back home. Sometimes home can seem so far away, but hearing from folks back home always brightens a Soldier's day. I wish you, and everyone involved with Back Home Box Foundation, the very best.
SSG Thad F.
I wanted to thank you so much for the box I received a couple of days ago. It was such a great surprise. And, some wonderful gifts packed inside. I kept and will be able to use most everything you sent. The few items that I didn't need, I passed on to other soldiers who were equally as happy to receive them.
Your kindness means more to us than words can express. It's wonderful to get packages from back home, but from people who you've never even met - it says so much about our country and makes me even more proud to say that I'm a soldier in the United States Army. I love our country and I'm honored to serve for people such as you.
I am truly touched by your generosity. Please thank everyone involved with the Back Home Box Foundation. And even more so than for the package itself - thanks for caring! With much love and appreciation,
SSG Deana Abernathy (and my hubby- who'll get some of the items I'll pass on to him)
(BHB note – this is one half of a married couple deployed)
Hello, just letting you know that me, Sgt Rosa and SPC Shana received our boxes that you sent out to us. I am the Platoon leader in the Shop and we really do appreciate the support that yourself and many other have been giving to us.
My best explanation of what it's like to get boxes and give them out to my guys, is putting a bowl of food down to a bunch of hungry puppies. The stuff does not last long at all...it's pretty comical. They do appreciate it. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to tell you thank you.
CW2 Ryan
I want to send my thanks to all who help organize, coordinate, contribute and distribute all of your Care Packages to us in Iraq and Afghanistan!
Our packages arrived just in time for the holidays. Being away from home is never an easy transition especially during the holiday season.
Receiving mail is like receiving a small piece of home. It brightens your day to think about the TLC that was put into your package. I loved the personalized letters and cards – you can tell the words are heartfelt.
Many thanks to each and every one who makes our lives a little brighter. I wish a very Merry Christmas to you all and a New Year full of many blessings.
SSG Amanda Schmidt
I wanted to take a little time to thank you for the care package you sent. It means so much to know that you care for the Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq and that you take the time to send us little pieces of home.
Please tell the rest of your group that we appreciate you hard work and for your kind words.
Thank you from Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Paul M.
FOB Shank
I wanted to say thanks for the care package that you and your organization sent me that arrived yesterday.
I have already put out the majority to share with the Headquarters Section of the 105th Engineer Battalion. I am the Battalion Commander and we have a number of soldiers from North Carolina, so your support is even more personal with our location being Raeford, NC.
Thank you for everything you are doing, I know the soldiers who receive these will acknowledge the time, love and commitment that everyone packing these puts in as well as the monetary contributions as well. This box was very full with a lot of great stuff. I have already seen most of it disappear in the first hour it has been placed in an open area.
Thanks again for your support of us downrange and please thank everyone else in the Back Home Box Foundation from myself and the 105th Engineer Battalion.
LTC Kohl
I would just like to send a heartfelt thanks to you and everyone who supports us in the War on Terror. I received your box of goodies yester-day.
Aside from the fact my room-mate ate all the Milky Way bars before I got to them, it was a wonderful treat. But I have to say that your thoughtfulness and support mean more than the goodies themselves (well, the exception might be those Milky Way's!).
We are often remiss in expressing our appreciation for all that you (and organizations like yours) do to support us. The generosity from folks back home is truly overwhelming.
As you've read, I'm sure, the war here is winding down. When we get home in September, maybe we'll get a chance to meet and I can thank you in person.
Craig B.
449th TAC
Just a quick note to let you know that we just handed out our first “It’s a Boy” care package – it consisted of a phone card and some of your cigars. The new daddy was thrilled and said it was great to be able to announce the arrival to his buddies in the traditional way by handing out cigars. His baby was 2 days old when he came in to pick up his package.
Thanks again for the support – you are making a huge difference in these kids’ lives.
(from the USO at Camp Buehring, Kuwait – May 2007
I'd like to thank you out there for sending us these packages that come this way. Your contributions are so helpful you don't even know what your actions do to a soldier. That soldier smiles and brings up his morale so much its amazing, thanks to people like you who actually care for us out here is just enough support for us to keep on rolling. Thank you again...;)
SGT Muniz 82ND ABN DIV
I can’t tell you how excited my soldiers were to get them. Your support is greatly appreciated. I am going to take a picture of the whole platoon on July I when we have formation – I want to make sure everyone is in the picture.
Thanks for everything.
1LT Katherine Broyer
Shops Platoon Leader
82nd AB
(Lt Broyer sent us a framed flag that flew in combat over Iraq – we display it proudly)
I would like to thank you for the package you sent me for the Soldiers. The boys are eating the peanuts right now and watching a movie. The other half are out on mission. The snack box did not last a day – sometimes I wonder where they put it all.
It’s nice to know that some people back in the States support what we are doing although everyone may not.
We just finished a Memorial Service for one of our Soldiers who was KIA on the 10th. It is hard to believe that the kids just pull themselves up by the bootlaces and drive on. The reason for them to do this is because people like you are supporting them in everything they do. Once again Thank You.
1Sgt Debois
I am deployed here at Taji and wanted to thank you for your donation or cigars and humidors to the Mudhouse. I have been here for about two months (of a one year tour) and, as you can imagine, the daily grind here can be a bit overwhelming, exhausting, and mind-numbing.
However, once a week, we can put aside a little bit of this hell and go to the Mudhouse and smoke one of your cigars. I now look forward to it every week.
It's hard to describe, but it's a little surrealistic. Imagine sitting on the wooden deck of a small, war-torn plaster and cinderblock hut the size of your bed- room (or probably smaller), at night in the dark, drinking a cup of coffee and smoking a smooth cigar as two attack helicopters fly over your head on their way outside the wire on a mission.
The little things bring some sanity into our lives, and you are responsible for a big part of that here.
Lt Col Jed P.
so I hope you will be able to convey our sentiments to them.
Please accept my heart-felt appreciation on behalf of the warriors of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing for your overwhelming support of our Airmen in Theater! We received numerous boxes of toiletries, snacks, periodicals, and prayers from your organization over the last two months. As perhaps you are aware ALL of those things were sorely needed. Specifically, our unit was relocated to Kabul Airport where no (repeat NO) exchange or shopping was available. For a period of 8 weeks the only supplies we had were provided by you! The timing could not have been better as you bridged the gap to our exchange opening this week. Please pass on a thank you to all who contributed on our behalf.
You grace and compassion is a reminder of why we do what we do…indeed it is you all that are the great Americans that keep our country strong. May God continue to bless you as we all endeavor to serve.
Robert Brooks
CM SGT, USAF
Thank you so much for time and effort sending these boxes to us. They have landed in good hands. I currently work with the Transition Command in Afghanistan – I have received a number of these boxes and have forwarded them to other Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Soldiers who are very grateful.
I wanted you to know how grateful we are for the time and effort you have dedicated to bringing joy to those serving here in Afghanistan.
Thank you very much.
Wendy Clough, USMC
Your packages arrived Saturday. You are doing a wonderful job of putting things from home in the hands of the soldiers here!
I know the box I received had lots of goodies I hadn’t thought about in months. Someone else received a box with slightly different things, making the entire process like a scavenger hunt. You provided quite a break to the monotony here. That was much appreciated!
Your efforts are reaching out and touching people more than this e-mail could ever express. It is because of people like you and your organization that I am proud to serve, and it makes the time away from my family and friends seem worth it.
SFC Kenneth Colvin
Thanks for the box of goodies. It really means a lot to get care packages from the States. We all share with our fellow Soldiers…it’s what we do…we look out for each other.
Of course I set aside for myself a couple of the things that I really like. Rest assured that everything you send gets used and/or eaten.
Thanks for what you do and God bless you all.
SFC Garza
I received a very nice care package from you today. It was very nice and considerate of you. I really appreciate the thought and all the prayers. We have a lot of things to be thankful and we receive lots of stuff from people back home. It's a lot easier to do this job when you know people care.
I would rather not have to be here, but I'd rather be fighting here than on home soil. We take so much for granted in the USA. We are truly a blessed nation and we should be thanking God for all we have. I want to thank you again for the care package.
I also want to say it's an honor to defend our nation for citizens like you. Thank you so much and have a very blessed day.
SSG William Byrd
I am sorry it has taken so long to send you a thank you for the boxes and the cigars. My fellow officers and joes love the things you send and enjoy a good smoke every now and then. I know I always say how I am doing over here and talk about how things are when we lose brothers in combat and I always neglect to ask you how you are doing. I hope this email will make up for that.
Please tell me how you and tour family are doing. I hope all is well and God has showered you with all the blessings you deserve. I also want to say thanks to you all for the wonderful things you send that make our days seem to go easier. THANK YOU to all of you for the time you spend in purchasing and putting together these boxes. I know that these few lines on this email do not convey the gratitude we feel but I hope it is enough for now.
Lt Juan Briones
My name is SSG Russ Robinson and I am serving with the 422nd CA BN on COB Speicher in Iraq. I wanted to send a quick thank you for the boxes I received this week.
The boxes you guys sent are the best ones we have received since coming over here nearly a year ago. My sister asked me if I had any requests for the boxes and I told her to try to send healthier snacks because people send us junk food all the time.
You guys really rocked the party. Plenty of granola bars, seeds and nuts etc. Lots of fruits and berries. Amazing. Not sure if you guys have ever gotten a request like that before but the change of pace was like a breath of fresh air to us. Thank you so much.
I have attached a picture of myself (left) with CH Brad Borders (right). He and I make up a BN level ministry team over here and were able to bless a lot of people with your generosity. Sadly but happily we are leaving very soon and will not require any more boxes as they will miss us.
I would like to give you an alternate unit and name instead of some friends of ours we are leaving behind. I know for sure they would enjoy the things you sent us. Not sure how special requests go but they enjoy making flat bread pizzas on the grill and any pizza supplies you could come up with would make them some of the happiest soldiers on the planet! Right now we have to try and smuggle it out of the dining facility. :) Thanks again and for supporting us.
SSgt Robinson
(BHB note: Four boxes of pizza supplies were on the way within a week.)
Thank you for all the support you have given my unit this year with the gift boxes.
My unit will be leaving Afghanistan shortly and being replaced by CPT Taylor Presley's (no relation to the "King of Rock") unit. The address with stay the same other than they are called 64th MP Company. Thanks again for your support, we received another awesome box from your organization today.
Your efforts absolutely made my job that much easier. Thanks again.
Cpt Eddie Jones
Greetings from Iraq! Your package arrived Saturday. You are doing a wonderful job of putting things from home in the hands of soldiers here!
I know that the box I received had lots of goodies that I hadn't thought about in several months. Someone else received a box with slightly different things, making the entire process like a scavenger hunt. You provided quite a break to the monotony here. That was much appreciated!
Thank you for your efforts on our behalf. (I know you said you didn't need our thanks, but we are Southern! It is in our blood!) Your efforts are reaching out and touching people more than an e-mail could ever express. It is because of people like you and your organization that I am proud to serve, and makes the time away from my family and friends seem worthwhile.
SFC Kenneth C.
449th TAB
Thanks a lot for the care package. It's nice to know someone cares. Serving our great Nation is much easier when her citizens let you know how much they appreciate what we do. Thanks again for you thoughtfulness and prayers.
SSG William B.
TF 449, Iraq
Dear PJ and All who support us:
I would just like to send a heartfelt thanks to you and everyone who supports us in the War on Terror. I received your box of goodies yester-day. Aside from the fact my room-mate ate all the Milky Way bars before I got to them, it was a wonderful treat. But I have to say that your thoughtfulness and support mean more than the goodies themselves (well, the exception might be those Milky Way's!). We are often remiss in expressing our appreciation for all that you (and organizations like yours) do to support us. The generosity from folks back home is truly overwhelming.
As you've read, I'm sure, the war here is winding down. When we get home in September (?), maybe we'll get a chance to meet and I can thank you in person.
Craig B.
TF 449
SSG Thad F.
S-1, NCO
Dear PJ,
My platoon and I got your boxes. I got to tell you, it was incredible. The Marines and I really appreciate it. Seriously, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate it. We are on a combat outpost out in the middle of nowhere and do not have much as far as assets go. The food out here gets old real fast, so we loved your packages. It does wonders for morale over here. I got to say it is good to hear from people in North Carolina. I'm originally from Morehead City, and most of my platoon is from the Southeast part of the US. I didn't think Wolfpack fans would send a Tarheel packages. Just messin'. I went the UNC-Chapel Hill, but my sister graduated from NC State. I always pull for the Pack when UNC isn't playin'. Ya'll definetly know how to tailgate up there. I've had plenty of good times in Raleigh. I hope everything is going good back in North Carolina. Can't wait to get back there. Hey, look though, we seriously appreciate the packages. The platoon really thanks you. Alright, I got to go. Thank you again so much for every- thing.
Lt. John N.
Thanks for all the care packages. We have been able to support a bunch of soldiers in our outlying bases with the things you have sent. The notes, cards, and drawings from the kids have been a great morale booster for all of us, especially us dads in the group.
I will be transitioning out of here pretty soon so I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support has added a little brightness to some otherwise bad times. You are an inspiration to me to help others when I return home.
If you are ever through Louisville, KY, please look me up.
Sincerely,
LTC Steve K.
I am deployed here at Taji and wanted to thank you for your donation or cigars and humidors to the Mudhouse. I have been here for about two months (of a one year tour) and, as you can imagine, the daily grind here can be a bit overwhelming, exhausting, and mind-numbing. However, once a week, we can put aside a little bit of this hell and go to the Mudhouse and smoke one of your cigars. I now look forward to it every week. It's hard to describe, but it's a little surrealistic. Imagine sitting on the wooden deck of a small, war-torn plaster and cinderblock hut the size of your bed- room (or probably smaller), at night in the dark, drinking a cup of coffee and smoking a smooth cigar as two attack helicopters fly over your head on their way outside the wire on a mission. The little things bring some sanity into our lives, and you are responsible for a big part of that here.
Lt Col Jed P.
Hello, just letting you know that myself, Sgt Rosa and SPC Shana received our boxes that you sent out to us. I am the Platoon leader in the Shop and we really do appreciate the support that yourself and many other have been giving to us. My best explanation of what it's like to get boxes and give them out to my guys, is putting a bowl of food down to a bunch of hungry puppies. The stuff does not last long at all...it's pretty comical. They do appreciate it. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to tell you thank you.....
CW2 Ryan
I wanted to thank you so much for the box I received a couple of days ago. It was such a great surprise. And, some wonderful gifts packed inside. I kept and will be able to use most everything you sent. The few items that I didn't need, I passed on to other soldiers who were equally as happy to receive them. Your kindness means more to us than words can express. It's wonderful to get packages from back home, but from people who you've never even met - it says so much about our country and makes me even more proud to say that I'm a soldier in the United States Army. I love our country and I'm honored to serve for people such as you. I am truly touched by your generosity. Please thank everyone involved with the Back Home Box Foundation. And even more so than for the package itself - thanks for caring! With much love and appreciation,
SSG Deana Abernathy (and my hubby- who'll get some of the items I'll pass on to him)
SFC David Abernathy
I received a very nice care package from you today. It was very nice and considerate of you. I really appreciate the thought and all the prayers. We have a lot of things to be thankful and we receive lots of stuff from people back home. It's a lot easier to do this job when you know people care. I would rather not have to be here, but I'd rather be fighting here than on home soil. We take so much for granted in the USA. We are truly a blessed nation and we should be thanking God for all we have. I want to thank you again for the care package. I also want to say it's an honor to defend our nation for citizens like you. Thank you so much and have a very blessed day.
SSG William Byrd