716 Military Police - THANK YOU - now redeploying

The 716th is packing up and preparing to leave Iraq. No more packages or letters now to THIS unit.
I'm expecting to get new names as the 93rd Military Police Brigade is arriving. The replacement troops are out of Fort Bliss, Texas. There will probably be 60 or 70 new soldiers I'll be looking to find sponsors for.

Here's the email from my contact in the 716:

Aunt Nancy,

Thank you for distributing our Soldier's names to other people. They did
follow through and we had more than plenty of goodies to spread around.
SSG Cobb has some pictures of the Christmas party that he was going to
send (if he hasn't already) to just let you know that we had a wonderful
time, in part because of people like you.

Since we are nearing the end of our deployment, we no longer are having
things sent to us. The new unit replacing us however, will be more than
happy to start receiving goodies from your group. They are the 93rd MP
Bn from Fort Bliss, Texas. They'll be ready to start receiving packages
towards the middle of February. Once I know a good point of contact,
I'll make sure to let you know once I get it.

Have a great day and again, I appreciate all that you have done from the
bottom of my heart, thank you!

- SGT Ramirez

and another:

I truly thank you and those who've helped you for all the support given
to 716TH MP BN. Looking back, there had been enormous amount of support
from people like you to our unit. Truthfully speaking, part of it has
been taken for granted. Many of the Soldiers were busy getting the
mission completed including myself. Looking back in time, I regret not
taking enough time to thank those who are always by our side back home.

We will be heading to Kuwait in about 2 weeks.

I can't thank enough. Please tell those around you as well that we are
grateful.

Take care Aunt Nancy!!!

Hanna H.

- - -

Here's another thank you from a different unit:

Nancy:

I am a Soldier serving in Baghdad. Much to my surprise, I received a
very nice letter from a complete stranger in New York. Thanks for what
you do.

v/r,

J. KESSLER
8th Military Police Brigade

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A Thank You from the 716th Military Police

Nancy,

This morning I was caught completely by surprise by a box on my desk and did
not immediately recognize the name. It didn't take me long to figure out
that it was from you. I see a number of care packages sent to our unit but
I couldn't believe how much personal thought was put into it. It brought
incredible joy to me and definitely made my day.

I want to thank you for the package you sent me and the packages that you've
[and your group] sent to others. You are truly making a difference and it does not go
unnoticed or unappreciated.

Thanks again,

Matt C.
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Troops ready to be "adopted" - College gear & music wanted for Christmas!

Over 200 new soldiers names were given to me this week. This is the 716th MP.
Note: Their APO address has 5 digits. If I gave you only 4, please contact me.

Here's something new I'll try!

I just received a list of soldiers along with their interests. You can pick a soldier from the list below! Choose a number still in black. (First come, first serve of course!) I'm looking for year-long "adoptions" but also Christmas gift only volunteers. Let me know which you might be interested in. There are over 100 soldiers available for "adoption". This particular unit has just a few months left.

If any of you want to purchase some of the items listed below, my contact will accept them, wrap them, and deliver them to the designated soldier for Christmas! A variety of college t-shirts would be a great start! Music, movies, magazines, and perfume are also high on the list! Time is running out for Christmas mailings!

1. BMX Biking / UFC / Heavy Metal
2. Games/Billiards(plays Pool)
3. Karaoke, Ohio State Football, XBOX first shooter games
4. Muscle cars, Muscle magazines
5. Punk/ Heavy Metal Music
6. hip hop music
7. NFLCollege Football
8. loves to cook/picture frames or album
9. Nascar
10. (female) perfume/travel magazines
11. football/ picture frames/ phone cards/plays guitar
    
12. (female) pedicure stuff/ magazines/ newlywed
    
13. Golfs
14. football/weightlifting
15. football
16. likes to build things out of scrap/ loves to fish
17. (female) University Kentucky, Sweets, WWE, Country Music
18. music rap/country
19. Football / Basket Ball
20. Gaming magazines, World of Warcraft
21. fishing pole/ anything outdoor
    
22. College Sports, Fishing, Philadelphia Eagles
23. Computer Games
24. tuner car magazines, stock market, real estate
25. (female) Beauty Items, Photography, Sponge Bob
26. WWE/FOOTBALL
27. Anything UT Vols
28. Basketball
29. old movie with Danny kaye in them
30. 4-Wheeling / Off Road
31. Memphis Sports, soul music,
32. mafia movies, cowboy hats, vokswagon magazines
33. football/ California themed items/ Golf
34. weightlifting/ learning English as a Second Language/ anything to do with aviation
35. Motorcycles
36. UFC / Sports
37. Boxing/poker
38. weightlifting/ poker
39. Christian music;
    
40. Anything to do with computers
41. MICHIGAN STATE graduate/ college football fan
42. Ohio state fan
43. Comedies/ perfume/ pajamas
44. Movies (Top Gun)
45. Movies (Top Gun)
46. perfume/pajamas
47. Penn state graduate basketball!
    
48. Perfume/ pajamas (she's about 6'1)
49. Basketball, comedies, from California
50. "Crimson Tide" Alabama gear
51. OHIO STATE college football fan
52. (our chaplain) Kentucky anything, used to be in the Old guard
53. Ohio state / Penn State fan
54. Tennessee fan; likes junk food; (silly- wants santa suit)
55. Tennessee fan; loves to dip tobacco;
    

****As a whole, they would like the show "Man vs. Wild" with Bear Grills so they can watch it since it's not a show they get here.

If you would be interested in sponsoring someone for his or her year-long deployment, send me an email: nancy@auntnancyusa.com

Of course, you can sign up to just help for Christmas too!

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More help for Santa requested! 716th MP

Another new unit in Iraq has requested our help with Christmas cheer: The 716 Military Police. Since they too can get PRIORITY MAIL quickly, there's hope to get them some goodies there in time! In fact, early enough to enjoy for the week before Christmas! There are 79 soldiers here. My contact wants at least to get the young/junior enlisted, first deployment, etc. troops some cheer.

They have no decorations so let's see what we can send them.

Filled Christmas Stockings
Christmas Lights
Tree, and ornaments
Cards (from you to them)
Decorations of any kind
Baked goods (store bought)
Candy Canes
Candy
Fake Snow
Inflatable Snowman
Fun stuff!

Dollar stores may be a great asset here. It would be nice if they receive decorations ASAP so they can enjoy them longer.

Note: Homemade baked goods are generally not allowed.

BAD NEWS: It's been a very lean year for many people as we all know, and it has really shown up here. Offers to help the troops this Christmas are down about 75%! The military families are feeling the pinch too. If you want to even just send some Christmas cards, cookies, or candy canes, I can tell you the troops will be ever so appreciative!

GOOD NEWS: PRIORITY MAIL has been reaching some of these Baghdad units in only 10 days! That's AMAZING! So, while we should still try for the 1st week of December, we may get by with shipping the 2nd week! I just don't know how crazy the Christmas rush will get. Now we have time for last minute shopping over Thanksgiving weekend!

Also, if you see fun New Years Eve decorations or goodies, we can send them too! That would give you another week to mail.

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