Sir,
Please excuse my typing this e-mail, my personal hand written thanks is
forthcoming. I sincerely appreciate you undertaking our company in your “Platoons
forward” project, it is always great to hear from Warriors of the past.
The boys certainly appreciate anything from home, and microwave popcorn and
chips go well with the NFL package on AFN on Sundays. The PX is always running
out of those items and since we live in sector, we are always too late when we come
back to the FOB for a supply run. Gourmet coffee and creamer take the old cup-ofjoe to a new level and Cup O Soup or Ramen noodles are a huge hit for lunch since
the KBR mess hall only ships breakfast and dinner to us. The winter rain and cold
season is soon upon us and wet feet lead to colds and the flu, the best socks we have
seen bot not been able to get are Under Armour and the best sizes to fit most or all
of us would be between 8-12. Granted, they are pretty expensive, but even harder to
order and get shipped overseas from the slow internet connections. Hand warmers
are always great for the gunners sitting in the turrets all night long with the wind
whipping in their faces and their hands poised on a cold metal .50cal or M240B
machine gun. I know they would appreciate those to keep their digits “ready to go”.
To tell you the truth Col we love anything from home, and not just from Mom and
Dad or the Wife. We know the VFWs and the USOs and all those agencies are out
there supporting us day and night. The 150 boys under me are all tired and weary
and ready to go home, but mail and packages sitting on their bed from anywhere are
still what brings them the most joy at the end of a long day on patrol. We have
informed our families that the last packages should be sent as near to November
15th as possible and not to go too far over that date for fear of it not reaching us due
to the Christmas rush. Thank you for your consideration, anything from your project
is appreciated.
v/r
VR,
1SG James J. Naughton
To: 1SG, Jim Naughton
Sent: 3/19/2010 6:04:59 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Platoons Forward - Situation Report
Jim At the request of the 1SGs, Platoons Forward support for the 2nd Battalion 12
Infantry will end with our last shipment on 3/24/2010 (Attachment). We were
able to mobilize our community, fill and send to the COPs 426 Care packages. We
would not have been able to accomplish this without the assistance and guidance
of CSM Sasser, Chaplain Gornall and an old friend 1SG Naughton.
However, Platoons Forward will not close down. The 1SGs have already contacted
the incoming units and Platoons Forward will be a part of the hand off to the new
companies. VFW Post 7397 and Platoons Forward will be there as long as we are
needed.
COL(ret) Sidney Linver
Platoons Forward Coordinator
VFW Post 7397
Mr Linver,
First of all, the 19 packages of Socks and Hand warmers arrived today, all at once, so
X-mas will be tomorrow morning for the boys, they are already excited just knowing
your name on the boxes mean goodies for football and movie nights. Secondly, if
you have a worthy cause for all those goodies, by all means save the postage and use
it for another project you have working back home. The Iraqi kids have poor dental
hygiene as it is and more candy will only add to more tooth decay. If you are so
inclined to send them though, we will pass out as many toothbrushes and paste as
possible. Pictures of X-mas in November will follow soon.
Thanks again, the temp are changing and th esockand hand wamers arrived just in
time and will be used immediately.
/r
Jim Naughton
Slinver6@aol.com wrote:
1SG Naughton
Were are in the process of packing up this week's shipment to both A and C
Companies. The boxes will be packed with coffee and creamers, pop corn, soup and
granola bars. We have also gotten support from six grade schools in our area. I
found this out last night when we picked up the donations left at our VFW Post. In
addition to the items on your "wish list", they brought in five large plastic storage
tubs filled with candy. This is where I need your advise. Should I send the candy for
hand outs to Iraqi children and/or soldiers or use it her for other projects?
VR
Sid LInver
Mr Linver,
Things are going very well, the boxes are arriving and being enjoyed almost as fast
as I open them, I will send pictures tonight when all the boys will be in off of
patrol. The resupply of hand warmers will be greatly appreciated since rain is in the
forecast. I divide the number of hand warmers by the number of gunners and men
in each platoon as they come in. I will continue to do that until supplies are
exhausted. Temperatures are dipping to the low 70s at night, coupled with wind
and rain, November and December should make for a chilly few months on patrol.
The boys will be very excited about the socks and I will deliver them as an early
Christmas present on their bunk. They will wear them immediately.
I will write again tonight and send some action photos and pics of where we live and
some of the boys enjoying all that you have sent.
Thanks again so very much.
V/r
Jim Naughton
Slinver6@aol.com wrote:
1st Sergeant
Haven't heard from you for awhile, hope all is well in C Company.
Today, we sent to you 19 boxes containing 150 pairs of Under Armour socks and
300 pairs of hand warmers. More coffee and creamers, Ramen noodles, and granola
bars will be shipped in the next iteration. Please let me know how we need to
schedule the resupply of hand warmers. It takes about two weeks for Cabella's to
special order the numbers you need.
I need your help in thanking the many people and organizations that have
contributed to the Platoons Forward effort. You mentioned that you would try to get
some pictures to us. When we receive them, we plan to use one or more of these
pictures in a Certificate of Appreciation that we will print up and present to many of
our "significant" donors.
Stay safe.
Sid Linver
Mr Linver,
So far so good on the mission, not finished yet but it is going exellent. I have
received most of the boxesI think, I have not checked my bunk at our COP which is
where all my mail goes, I will double tap that today, someone said I had tons of stuff
waiting for me which I can only assume to be from your helping hands. Nothing will
go to waste and whatever is extra 1SG Burdine will receive a logpac full of
goodies. The ramin noodles and granola bars and creamer and coffee are
what Soldiers can live on for months, the boys love those granola bars for quick on
the go mission snacks and a hot cup o soup after a windy, rainy mission hits the
spot. I beleive you are right on the money with the priorities. Thank you so much,
this brightens their days when they get to have the stuff they like.
v/r
Jim Naughton
Slinver6@aol.com wrote:
1SG Naughton
Glad to hear from you . Hope you brought everyone back in good shape.
By now you should have received the five boxes that were mailed on 10/15. 1SG
Burdine has already received his five. Yesterday, 10/23, 14 more boxes were
shipped, 7 to A Co an 7 to C Co. Also yesterday, we placed our order for 150 pairs
of socks and 300 hand warmers. We expect them in about five days and we will ship
them immediately. If we have ordered too many hand warmers, I am sure 1SG
Burdine can probably use some.
Our fund raising is exceeding our expectations. We are now lining up some
wholesale grocers for coffee, creamers, ramin noodles, cup of soup, granola
bars, etc. However, before we make more purchases, we would appreciate hearing
from you on what the men's preferences are and your prior ties.
VR Sid Linver