SFC Ann Womac; Al Faw Palace, Iraq, with prayer shawl

June 7, 2010

Dear Butch and Lud,

Thank you so very much for the care packages! They were greatly appreciated by everyone in my section (roughly 100 Soldiers and civilians). There were lots of comments about them being the best care packages ever and it being better than Christmas. The knowledge that there are groups of people who not only support us but who are willing to put their feelings into action is the true morale booster for us.

Thank you again for what you are doing for all the troops.

I’ve sent along a photo of some of the Soldiers in my section in front of the Phantom Warrior (symbol of III Corps) in the rotunda at Al Faw Palace.

Take care,
Ann

Very respectfully,

SFC Ann Womack
USF-I J2 ISE, GEOINT NCOIC

May 3, 2010

I wanted to thank you on behalf of 1st Squad 1st Platoon 18th ENG CO 3-2 SBCT for the two boxes we recieved from you.  There were things in the boxes that were both wanted and needed.  You are doing good things by sending us Soldiers boxes like that.  It is hard some times to remember that there are still peop;e out there that understand what we do and why.  Thank you again

SGT Jankowiak, Michael

April 30, 2010

Butch and Lud

March 22, 2010

Dear Sirs and Ma’ams,
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I just want to thank you so much for the two incredible boxes of supplies I received in the mail today.  From the snacks to the toiletries, the entertainment, to most importantly the personal touches such as the prayer shawl, I want to thank you.  There are way more goodies than I would ever use, so I want to let you know that you made not only me, but also the two other US army personnel, two Italian officers, a Spanish officer, and a Lithuanian officer all very happy today with the great surprises due to your generosity.
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There are few things we look forward to here on a regular basis.  Phone calls, e-mails/Skype, and care packages are definitely at the top of the list.  Thank you for bringing a lot of joy to this day and many days to come.
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Also, I tried to attach a few pictures to this e-mail, but my computing/e-mail capabilities are very limited here, and unfortunately I could not attach any files.  If it’s OK, I’ll forward a few pictures to you once I return to Virginia near the end of May, OK?
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Thanks again for everything!
 Tim
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Lt Col Tim Rittenhouse
Regional Command-West
J7 Training Officer
Camp Arena, Herat, Afghanistan
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May 18, 2010

Hello again to you all,
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I just want to thank you again for the care packages and messages you sent to us while I was in Afghanistan.  You sent some great stuff that we had a difficult time getting ahold of, as well as just some general comfort items that were greatly appreciated by myself and many of the troops I worked with.  Just being in your thoughts helped keep our spirits up and keep us focused on the long term goals.
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As promised, I want to send you a few pictures from my deployment.  These are all from the Herat area in western Afghanistan.  I spent 6 months there, but I happily returned home to the Washington DC area yesterday morning.  It was a great reunion with my family, especially my 22-month old son.
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Picture 5102 – I like this picture because it shows a couple of children tentatively coming up to one of our vehicles; we loved to interact with the local population, especially the children, but I like how this picture captures the hesitant first beginnings when we met people
Picture 5106 – me with some children near Shindand, Afghanistan
Picture 5189 – my Mom sent me a couple of boxes of shoes when she noticed in pictures that many of the children were barefoot; I gave the shoes to the district police chief in Herat to pass out to local children, and this is one picture from that event
Picture 5211 – meeting with the governor and other local officials in Herat to initiate development efforts
Picture J9 – a picture of our office who greatly appreciated your generosity!
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Thank you again for your thoughtfulness!
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Tim Rittenhouse

January 31, 2009

Butch and Lud,
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Wow!  I received your package last night and I was speechless.  I shared a lot of things with my company and kept some things for myself(socks and hand warmers for when I get back to Ft. Drum).  There are some pictures attached to this email that you might like.  They are of just me but I haven’t had much time to be clicking pictures.  The helicopter is an AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopter.  I am in C Co. 1-10 ATK stationed out of Ft. Drum, NY.  Our battalion motto is “Tigersharks strike at night!”  Our company call sign is “Blue Max.”  The unit has a lot of history from Vietnam.  We have our own company motto as well.  “For God, For Country.”  The company has had that motto since vietnam.  Our company has a lot of experienced pilots.  Many of our guys have over 1000hrs of combat flight time.  We are the only company that operates independantly from our battalion.  I say it’s because we are the best company from our crew chiefs up to our commander.  HA!  I will be going on R&R here in the next few days so that will be a welcome break in the grind over here.  The little note on the back of one your letters was pretty good.  If you could get the company a few cases of suds I think you would be our heroes.  There was some talk from the generals allowing each soldier 2beers for the superbowl this year but we’re an aviation company and beer and flying don’t mix to well.  It had to be approved by our battalion commander in order to get it.  Our colonel put out a letter that we aren’t allowed to get it and that was pretty much the end of that.  It’s a no-no to have that stuff over here anyways. Â
When I get back to Iraq from leave I’ll be sending you a package that I hope you will appreciate.  I’ll send you another email when to expect it.  It should be a good surprise.  Hope it makes you go “wow.”  Our company appreciates everything everyone put in the packages.  Thanks for the support!!  Hope we’ll be home soon.  Tell Marv and Carol Hello from their grandson.   Thanks again!
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CW2 Dan Reinhardt
AVN US ARMY

January 29, 2010

Payson Supply Line,

Greetings Butch and Lud.  I just want to thank you and praise! Jesus for all you are doing for the troops.  I received the two boxes a couple of days ago, perfect timing men, praise God!  It was no sooner than we just got out to our checkpoint in the field that I received your boxes and put the body warmers to use for my men.  We had no heaters and the body warmers have come in really handy.  All the soldiers in the platoon say thanks.  The Starbuck’s coffee, Wow!  On point!  The PSG and I and quite a few of my battle buddies, those who are coffee drinkers, have enjoyed the bold roast.  In true infantry men style, the PSG & LT were drinking coffee and smoking cigars and they said it couldn’t be a better day in the field with that combination.  The coffee is going quick and is a big hit, along with the snacks, shampoos, seed, Pringles, and word seek books.  Those little books kill a lot of time, thank you.  We will be out in the field until the elections are over in March sometime, and will probably get to be back on the F.O.B. in April sometime, Lord willing.  By sending the supplies and snacks you sent, it has put a lot of smiles on the soldiers’ faces, thank you.  Right now, at this point in t ime of the war, we are working with the Iraqi Army, Pash Merke (Kurdish soldiers) and the Iraqi Police to help them secure better relations and, Lord willing, work together to hopefully put their country back together.  Butch & Lud, Lord willing, this tri-latteral force-building works.  We’ve seen and heard things that most Americans will never see.  I only pray and hope that Americans know the sacrifice you, and we who are here, have given to defend America, even in the late hour, for people to know what being a true American is.  Sorry I don’t mean to get random, things just hit a man sometimes.

If both of you could send a THANKS from all the soldiers to all those who have pitched in on sending the snacks and supplies in those boxes.  I know economic wise times are tough right now for a lot of people, but when we come together as a people, we can accomplish great feats through Christ Jesus.

I will do my best to get pictures sent to you when I can get to a computer.  Thank you for everything you are doing, may God bless you and your families and those who put time into these boxes.

If you could send us some more Starbuck’s coffee, word seek books, body warmers, Rolaids, green tea would be nice, hot chocolate, chewing gum, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Country Time Lemonade, toothpaste, beef jerky, foot powder and wet wipes, it would be much appreciated.  One last thing, some good Christian books, if possible, Dr. Gary Smally, DNA of Relationships and Change Your Heart Change Your Life.  I think that is it unless you guys have some you could send.  The books on relationships or marriage are good for the married & single soldiers.

Well, I guess that does it.  Once again, thank you so much and may God bless you and those who are praying for us.

Sincerely,
SPC Eric B. Hoelscher

SPC William Boyd, U.S. Army, Iraq, with Iraqi children

 

December 23, 2009
Dear Payson Supply Line,
My name is William Boyd. I am a specialist in the Army currently serving over in Iraq. my aunt Pam dropped my name to you and i received 2 giant packages from you guys. i just would like to say thankyou so much for taking the time and money to put all that together… i live in a tent w. 30 other dudes so when we get mail its like christmas i shared everything you all sent. It was nice seeing the new testaments and little encouragement books… there are alot of lost guys out here… thankyou for keeping us in your prayers and thankyou once again from the bottom of my heart… i hope you enjoy the pictures
God Bless,
Spc. Boyd

LCPL Mathew R. Butler's baby son, Sammy, with his USMC hat -- "Little Grunt"

LCPL Mathew Butler, one of our local Payson heroes, receieved a Payson Supply Line box while stationed in Afghanistan.  LCPL Butler sent his thanks to us through his mom, Traci, along with some photos.