"My" Marines

This summer I've been sending care packages to service members through ANY SOLDIER. This is a clearinghouse of info so that you can send stuff to military members. You can search by name, where they've been deployed from, branch of service, etc. I chose California so that they'd at least have a little sense of getting something from "home". They only allow you to selected 2 names per day and a total of 10 per month per household. 

I've selected a total of 4: 1 guy in Kosovo, 1 gal in Iraq, 1 gal in Afghanistan, and 1 guy in Iraq. Army, Air Force, and two Marines, respectively. When you select a name it tells you where they're at, when they were deployed and approximately when they're expected home. Often there are notes from the troops stating what the living conditions are like and what kind of things they need.

What am I sending? Well, I went through the house. I found a stash of tea and a brick of coffee (I'd ordered some Cafe Pilon from Amazon in those sealed "bricks"), old Robert Parker paperbacks, a couple of my old comics (Captain America - that's what I'm talkin' bout!), some old magazines of various kinds (Oprah, People, Scientific American, Shambhala - the Buddhist mag, New Yorker, etc.) gum, sunscreen, Trader's snacks that were crammed in boxes in the kitchen, food bars, writing supplies - old pencils, Flair markers, Post-Its, staples and a stapler, half used ballpoints - all sorts of stuff. Unused healthcare stuff I had from under my bathroom sink. I sent some Yoga Journal (GAIAM) yoga, pilates, and tai chi DVDs I had piled up by the VCR, the first year episodes of that hilarious IN LIVING COLOR series from back in the day, some "Happy Bunny" magnets (I love that stupid bunny!), etc.  I sent some CDs: I burned a copy and sent them the original CDs. I sent a Dr. Weil De-Stress CD that I found enormously helpful. I also threw in some paperback New Testaments (we purchased 50 or so of them a long time ago at Berean's at a huge discount), some guides to Buddhism, and a World Religions book --  stuff I used to get up to speed when I first taught world religions. The next box to Iraq will have some arts and craft stuff (tempera paint, brushes), stickers, stencils. If they don't or can't use it, maybe they'll be able to give it to some Iraqi kids.

You get the picture. It took me about an hour to scout the house. I ended up with two large banker's boxes overflowing with stuff. On my last trip to Trader's I did buy an extra bag of popcorn, and a bag of kettle corn and cheetos just for the troops. And at Longs/CVS I bought a few things in the travel section (a small Secret deodorant and Q-tips). But 99.9% of the stuff I'm sending are things gathering dust here at home.

The flat rate USPS Priority boxes are free and the Post Office ships them at a discount to the troops. The larger box (which sadly is still pretty small) ships for $11.95. It can take 4-5 days to several weeks to arrive depending on the location of the troop and how difficult it is to access their location.

I've sent four boxes so far. One each to the girls a month ago. I sent another box to each of them not too long ago. Last week I sent one off to the guy Marine in Iraq. In the initial box I enclose a short, one page handwritten note on my school letterhead. In subsequent boxes I send longer letters yakking about getting ready for school, etc. I probably will send the Kosovo guy just some funny cards since he's at least in "civilization" and not some God-forsaken outpost. 

Imagine the thrill I had a few weeks ago when I received this email from the gal in Afghanistan -- get a load of the salutation!

Good Afternoon Ma'am,

My name is SSgt Almonte or just plain Stephany.  I received a care package from you last Thursday.  I wanted to thank you on behalf of my unit detachment.  We are all very grateful to you for taking the time to brighten up our day.  I think I was especially excited about the package when I saw it came from the Bay Area.  I am originally from Panama but I have called the Bay Area my home since I was 10 years old.  I've lived in Daly City, San Bruno, Concord and Richmond.  My father and my in-laws still lived there.  As a matter of fact my brother-in-law should soon be graduating from San Francisco State.  I joined the Marine Corps in 2000.  Soon after, I married my high school sweetheart.  My first duty station was Camp Pendleton, San Diego.  We spent 5 years there, then moved to Okinawa Japan with our son who at the time was only 18 months.  We loved Okinawa.  It is a beautiful island with very friendly and welcoming people.  We spent three years there.  I gave birth to my beautiful daughter 9 months before rotating back to Pendleton.  I have been married for 9 years now. My son is five and a half and my daughter will be two in a few months.  I love being a Marine but being away from my family during these long deployments can be very difficult.  Packages like the one you sent make all the difference. It really brought back so many memories of home.  You sent us a lot of things that I normally buy when I'm back home. Trader Joe's is my favorite store to shop.  My Marines were happy that the care package had given me something to smile about.  We had a few very rough weeks and I don't think they've seen me smile much lately.  Thank you.  I thank you and my Marines thank you.  Your support is a breath of fresh air in the midst of this chaotic environment.  I hope to keep in touch with you.  Please feel free to email me any time.

Sincerely,

Stephany

(SSgt Almonte)   

Pretty cool, huh? Here's what I wrote back:

Dear Stephany,

I was so thrilled to get your email!!

And how about that SFSU connection? Amazing!

It must be sooooooo hard to be away from your babies! I bet they miss their mommy big time.

I went to the post Wed 8/5 and sent another package to you. I told the clerks that I'd heard from you. They were jazzed. I stood at an empty spot and read your letter out loud (I hope that was OK?!?!). I thought everyone in the post office was going to cheer! I saluted you and everything ... with my pretty crazy looking salute!

:)

Tell your brother-in-law to be sure to contact me if he runs into a jam with graduation or any other issues. You can send him my email address.

Today (Thurs 8/6) we heard about the 4 Marines killed in the roadside bomb. I was already praying for you guys but when I heard the news I was so worried. Even if you are not physically in "direct" harm's way, every inch of Afghanistan is a danger zone. And even if you were in a boring post here in California, these deaths are so difficult to bear. So I feel for you and your group. Please know that we grieve along with you and all our service members whenever one of you makes this ultimate sacrifice.

Stay strong!
Pam

Well, I just received another email from her:

Dear Pamela,

I don't mind at all that you read my email to the clerks at the post office.  The idea of you standing there saluting was pretty motivating.  We received another package a few days ago.  The postage said it was sent out on the 27th.  Thank you.  The guys got a real kick out of the poker set.  They are planning a poker night soon.  We haven't had much of a break so when we finally do, poker will be something to look forward to.  We thank you for your prayers and well wishes. It hasn't been easy seeing our fellow comrades being wounded or killed in action.  It has been specially difficult being so close to the area where most of the I.E.D attacks are taking place.  Unfortunately we see it first hand. 

I have attached several pictures of me and the guys.  Hope you enjoy them.  Thank you again.  I hope to hear from you again soon.  Take care.

Stephany

Some of the photos she sent me are also posted on ANY SOLDIER. They list the most recent communication received from the troops. On the left, it should already be sorted by latest email received alphabetically. Look for her name - ALMONTE. Right now it's at the top of the list.

Here are the photos and her captions.

Off to Afghanistan

On the plane

Arriving

Our crew

After a sandstorm

After a sandstorm

Chilling in the desert

Chow drop

Excited about poker

(That's the poker game I sent them. I had it for over a year and never used it. I thought it'd be fun to learn. Bridge is next on my "to learn" list. I may cycle back to poker. The metal box certainly got dinged up! But at least it got there.)

Exile and I

Humvee ride

It's coming our way!

Me and my guys

Promotion

Ready for action

Sandstorm Ninja Suit

(Recognize this Marine? It's "My Marine", SSGT Almonte.)

last updated Aug 14, 2009