Just a few of the many, many notes we've received.
Read these soldiers words of thanks

Click on any of the letters below to bring up at full size




Thank You, Saturday, March 15, 2008 11:14 AM
"Mike Silva"
To: santa@santaforsoldiers.com

Bridget, I hope this finds you and yours well. I can not thank you enough for all the heart felt work you and all do for us while here in Iraq. All the soldiers, men and women are very grateful and appreciative for your goodies and care packages. Let me tell you that this unit will be home with in 45 days. It is over for us. I will retire from the Colorado Army National Guard for the second time, this time permanently.

You are invited to visit my blog: mikehelicoptersilva.blogspot.com for the latest going on's here in Iraq.

I want to thank the "Triple K's", Kathy, Katie and Karen, for the beautiful Valentines Day Cards.

Also the students from Alfred F. Garcia Elementary School; Julia H.; Mrs. Groen's 3rd Grade Class; Emmanuel Guerrer at Ironwood H.S.; and Mrs Roberts Class from Beverly Hills, MI.

"Peace is a wonderful Virtue. Peace without Justice is no Peace at all." I believe Pope John Paul II said those words.

Keeping the Faith,

Mike

Christmas package, Monday, December 17, 2007 10:23 PM
"Michael Shea"
To: santa@santaforsoldiers.com

I received your Christmas package with a business card from Bridget Alcocer.

I want to express my gratitude for your kindness and generosity. You guys at home are outstanding! I'm no spring chicken but you bring tears to my eyes every time I see a card or package from home. What a change from my days in Vietnam.

Another old soldier and I have a couple of blogs if you are interested in what is going on over here. Mine is http://oldguysiniraq.blogspot.com. Mike Silva's is http://mikehelicoptersilva.blogspot.com.

I am a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with Charlie Company, 2d Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment out of Shelbyville, Indiana. Mike Silva and I and about 20 other pilots and crewchiefs and mechanics are with Detachment 1, based at Buckley Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado. The unit is under command of the 3d Infantry Division and has aircraft and members spread across two forward operating bases and the main base at Ali Air base in Tallil, Iraq.

With many thanks for your sacrifices at home, I want to send wishes for a very Peaceful and Happy Christmas.

CW4 Mike Shea
C Co, 2-238th
Ali Air Base

From: Hodgden TSgt Michael R (BCG AA ATFP)
Subject: Thank you
To: santa@santaforsoldiers.com
Date: Monday, December 17, 2007, 5:08 AM

Bridget,
 
    Thank you very much for your kind generosity in sending care packages to me and my fellow troops.  It was great to see the boxes stuffed full of goodies and essentials that will not go to waste.  When any of us gets a care package, it's like Christmas morning all over again because everyone gathers around to see what that person received.  It's funny really. 
 
    A couple of things you should know about where you sent your card.  First, I'm stationed at Al Asad Air Base, which is in Al Anbar Province in the western half of the country.  I work alongside Marines, Sailors and Soldiers to bring peace, stability, and economic growth to the area while keeping our forces safe from terrorism.  Over the past year, this province has gone from the most violent to the most peaceful and prosperous because of young Americans and local populations who stared death in the face and conquered it.  The Sunnis have turned against the enemy here and have almost driven them out of this province entirely.  Amazing!  We have gone from daily attacks down to few, if any.  That's the way this country should be and it's getting there. 
 
    Because of your support, we continue to share joy with the local citizens as they build confidence within themselves and each other.  We could not do this without you, history has shown that.  If you wish to read what's really going on in Iraq without media bias, please go to http://www.mnf-iraq.com.  This website tells everyone who wants to read it what the truth of this struggle is. 
 
    Once again, thank you and have a great holiday season!
 
P.S. Your last name is very familiar.  I know Frank (Francisco) and Nikki Alcocer who live in Phoenix, AZ.  Any relation?  :-)  I'm assuming yes.... 
 
Sincerely,

Mike Hodgden

V/R,
 
Michael R. Hodgden, Technical Sergeant, USAF
Base Command Group/Antiterrorism-Force Protection
Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
 
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