A Note From Buffie - THANK YOU!

We have supported Buffie H. since the start in 2003 when she was in the 18th Military Police Brigade with my niece, Sara, in Baghdad. She then returned to Baghdad two more times with the 89th Military Police as they alternated tours of duty with the 18th. She was our contact as the Chaplain's Assistant. Some of you "adopted" her (I think her first request was a pool stick -- and she got it!), MANY of you supported her soldiers, and even many more have sent Christmas packages, birthday and 4th of July party celebration supplies!

She is still sending us troops who could use our support. And here is a recent email from her that I thought you might enjoy. She is now stationed at Fort Bragg.

Aunt Nancy,

I really do miss corresponding with you. Thank you so much for taking care of our soldiers. Since I've been in recruiting I have been very busy with this task of putting them in boots... Thats a saying we have. "Put em in Boots!!"

While I was deployed I made some pretty amazing friends through your program. You all made me me look good when it came to events for my Soldiers. We did Christmas programs, Thanksgiving, Birthday celebration, Mayor's Cup events, and fourth of July celebrations in addition to much more.

I really miss being in Iraq and supporting the fight and being in the fight. I don't want to go back!!!! but I do miss it. My heart is still there with the troops. I wish I could express to you my gratitude. If you could tell all your supporters that I said thank you that would be amazing.

SSG BUFFIE H.
US Army Recruiter
Fort Bragg, NC

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New unit arriving in Baghdad: 8th Military Police

The last of the 18th MP BDE we have been sponsoring are leaving Iraq, and being replaced by the 8th Military Police BDE. Since they will be right at the Baghdad International Airport, mail will arrive quickly, but even with PRIORITY MAIL packages should be mailed the first week of December. They could get there in as little as 10 days, we can't be sure with the Christmas rush. But "Better Late Than Never "certainly applies here!!!

If you have waited to send some Christmas stockings or cards, this is your opportunity!

I have now received 107 individual names, but may not get them assigned to individuals in time for Christmas. I'm attempting to get that many Christmas stockings to their Chaplain for passing out at their Christmas Eve Candlelight Services.

Please join in - cards, Christmas stockings, packages, whatever!

Email me for addresses, I do not post them online. Do NOT use contacts from last year.

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59th and 18th Military Police

The 59th MP unit we have been sponsoring is scheduled to re-deploy out of Iraq and return to Ft. Carson in September. Their Army Post Office (APO) box there has already closed. They cannot receive any more mail there.

It is often typical that those units do close their post office boxes up to a month ahead of redeployment. So, keep that in mind.

For example, the 18th Military Police are scheduled to leave Baghdad in November. This would be a great time to get a last card or gift out to your soldiers in that unit.

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Departing Troops

As a quick reference here I am posting a summary of the troops who are no longer "in theater" and are back in home base. Be sure to check often if you are not sure about your soldier or sailor. Remember also to review the status of the "back-up name" given to you for your Customs Forms. In the left column, under "Grouped Topics", you may find several postings for your soldier or sailors' unit with more specific information.

For those of you with soldiers still in Iraq: It's time to send out those 4th of July packages! A card at least, although some fun "party" decorations would add to their cheer!

Leaving in May and June 2008:

• 1LT Fukuzawa & unit
• 720 MP
  
• USS CARNEY returned to home port in Florida on June 4th
• 972MP, FOB Freedom
  

Left Iraq April 2008:

• D COMPANY, 1-181 INF BN

Back home in February and March 2008:

• CAMP LIBERTY soldiers of A CO, 1-64 AR, UNIT #43435
• MNC-I PAO, CAMP VICTORY
• K-9 Unit: SGT James Hazelton & SGT Stone. I did receive some replacement names.
• Tom Reed, CPT

January 2008 departures:

• 293 Military Police
• Sean Burke & unit

December 2007 departures:

• 97th MPs
• FOB Freedom (Note: a 2nd group stationed here -- the 972MP -- came in to me in early 2008, and are leaving in June 2008)

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Thanks from 18th Military Police Brigade

The 18th MPB has been deployed to Iraq three times now. The first time, March 2003, included my niece, CPT Mann, and is when "Aunt Nancy USA" was born. With your help we have supported this unit all three times.

MAJOR DEWEY, of the 18th MPB, sent this Thank-You along this week. If you haven't heard back from your soldier in this unit, he helps explain why.

We all have enjoyed the nice treats you sent last month. I shared them with the other guys here in my office. In fact, if you'd like to do us all another favor, might I request some flavored coffee creamers especially Irish Cream (my personal favorite). The majority of the soldiers assigned to the brigade headquarters would all appreciate this.

We have a little coffee shop in our brigade headquarters and we have a hard time getting things like that here. We would all enjoy it and I'll put a note up letting everyone know it was courtesy of you and your family.

Our brigade is extremely busy right now, engaged in the mission to expand the Iraqi police forces. A very daunting but rewarding mission.

So, forgive us if we don't return your emails right away. We do appreciate the support of the folks back home like yourselves.

Take care and God bless.

Sincerely,

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Find a way or make a way

Larry C. Dewey
MAJ, PTT Chief
18th Military Police Brigade
Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq

Here's his earlier email to his sponsor:

Chad,
Thank you so much for your kind gift. I received your package today and I especially enjoy the beef jerky and cookies. The batteries should be enough to get me through the rest of the deployment, about 12 more months. One of my sergeants put my name in Aunt Nancy for me, so I was pleasantly surprised to receive your package. It is grateful, patriotic Americans like yourself that make this job worthwhile.

Don't worry about not including phone cards. I personally don't use them as I am able to talk to my family regularly over the computer and military phone lines. Not all soldiers are so fortunate as to have modern communications systems if they live in remote base camps and outposts.

My brigade has a very exciting mission here in Iraq; to mentor, train, and develop the Iraqi Police, particularly in Baghdad. It is a very challenging, but rewarding mission and we have a very close and personal relationship with the Iraqi Police leadership.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks again for your thoughtful gift.

Sincerely,

Larry C. Dewey
Major, Police Transition Team Chief
18th Military Police Brigade

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18th MPB - Rank updates for "ASG" rank

I can't get emails out to all of you so here is the list. Names will be shortened for security reasons, but you should not have trouble identifying yours. There are two groups below. If you have received an email response from your soldier, please let me know.

SPC	ADC, K
SPC	BAS, J
SSG	BASS, P
PFC	BOY, J
PFC	BROD, BR
PFC	CAN, J
PFC	CHAP, G
SFC	CUTH, E
2LT	GEH, C.
MSG	GIL, T
CPL	HEA, C
PFC	HEL, S
SGT	HOU, S
PFC	KIN, D
PFC	LANG, M
SGT	LUM, J
SPC	MCDO, EA
PFC	McNI, C
PFC	MUR, PA
SPC	NETH, BRA
SPC	OLI, DA
PFC	RIS, TO
PFC	ROB, AS
SGT	ROD, JU
SGT	SAL, AN
SSG	SHIF, KE
SGT	SHIF, ME
SSG	VAU, DW
SPC	YBA, J

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SSG	ALL, D
MSG	AND, DA
SGM	ARBE, M
LTC	BAKT, P
MAJ	BEAM, D
SGT	BLA, R
SGT	BLOTT, D
SFC	BUTL, D
2LT	BUZA, FE
CPT	BYRU, V
SSG	CART, D
PFC	CHRIS, K
SPC	COLEM, L
PV2	COLV, N
SGT	CORTN, L
MAJ	CRANFO, R
SFC	DAV, DE
MAJ	DAY, M
1LT	DELON, D
MAJ	DEW, L
CPT	DUNL, B
SPC	ELL, G
SFC	FERN, R
SSG	FLO, J
SFC	FOWL, O
MSG	FRAN, T
PFC	GARD, E
1LT	GIAQ, JO
SGT	GOMEZ M
MAJ	GRAHE, K
CPT	GRE, A
PFC	HAMIL, E
SPC	HEA, R
SPC	HENDE, A
SGT	HIL, N
SFC	HOR, ST
SSG	HUF G
MAJ	INDOV, M
SFC	JON, B
MSG	KILG, J
SGT	KLASS, J
SPC	LAFRAM, A
MSG	LAMPK, W
SSG	LAY, IB
SFC	LEAR, B
1SG	LEWI, M
MAJ	LOMBA, TH
SFC	LOPE, NA
SSG	LOREN, EM
MAJ	MCCON, D
CPT	MCGR, H
CSM	MCPHER, B
SFC	MENE, J
SSG	MITS, P
LTC	MOC, R
SGT	MUR, D
SPC	OBAN, J
CPT	OWENSFIL, B
SSG	PHENG, S
SPC	PHIL, J
SFC	REY, MI
SGT	RHOA, C
SPC	SAGARDI, J
CW3	SCHUS C
SGT	SINGL, J
CPT	SPEE, S
CPT	SPERL, F
COL	SPIND, M
MSG	STEP, O
SFC	STEW, J
SGT	SUG, TS
SGT	THOM, JA
SFC	THOMP, RO
SGT	TOK, Br
SGT	TRA, B
WO1	WAL, R
SSG	WAT, J
SFC	WEST, Z
SFC	WHIT, D
PFC	WILLI, JE
SGT	WILL, RE

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18th MPB - Rank updates for "ASG"

NOTE: if you received a soldier in the 18th MPB with the Rank shown as: "ASG" -- that was incorrect. I have the correct info now, but may not have time to email all of you individually.

Just mail without the Rank. We'll catch up after Thanksgiving!

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18th MILITARY POLICE - accepting mail Oct 2007

NOTE: if you received a soldier in this unit with the Rank shown as: "ASG" -- That is an error. Just leave the Rank blank until we get correct ones. Thanks.

Aunt Nancy USA began in 2003 when my niece, CPT Sara Mann, was serving in the 18th MPB serving in Baghdad. Her husband, CPT Nate Mann, was also in Iraq. (Hence the "Aunt Nancy" title began). This month, October 2007, the unit has returned for it's 3rd time.

Once again I ask for your help in supporting these men and women. Some are there for the 2nd and 3rd time, many are on their first tour.

November 2007: I have received the names of the troops now, but have not yet received any personal information on each of the soldiers in this unit. I'll post here when I do.

Check out the 18th MPB website: http://18mpbde.mannheim.army.mil/