Sent April 6, 2007.
To all who have been so supportive,
Thanks to every one who has supported my platoon through mail and prayers. I have been overwhelmed with your all’s kindness and love which is why I am writing this letter to show my thanks and appreciation to every one. I try to write every one back, but too often I am unable too.
Life here in Iraq is tough and makes one appreciate even the smallest things. As you may know my troop operates in the twenty mile area north of Baghdad called Taji. If things where different I would write about how interesting it is being in the birthplace of civilization and tell you about how I live 3km from Tigris River and 4 km from the Gates of Baghdad, but this is a war torn country far from being any sort of tourist destination. Life in war, make no mistake there is a war going on over here, brings all emotions to their peak. We have had our ups and downs, especially through the holidays, but we stay focused and help each other get through this long year. My soldiers are missing their anniversaries, kid’s birthday, graduations and one of my soldier’s might even miss the birth of his first son which makes your support so much more helpful.
Whenever I receive a package I bring it to my patrol base, an abandon house just north of Baghdad, and place it in the entry way, take any personnel letters and then let the guys take whatever they want. My packages usually don’t last more then a few minutes before the contents are all gone. Letters are distributed at our command post on Taji and always bring a smile to a soldiers face no matter how simple the letters are. It is helpful to all soldiers, young and old, to be reminded that people care about them and respect what we are doing. My soldier’s don’t write back too often because they themselves are some time embarrassed to write letters, but they always come to me and tell me how much they appreciate their mail.
I will attach a list of requests as well as what we receive from the Army in order to help with any care package ideas. Please don’t limit yourself to these requests because we always enjoy surprises.
Supplies from the Army:
Maxwell house coffee
Coffee Filters
Coffee Creamer and Sugar
Hot chocolate Mix
Liquid hand soap
bug spray
peanut butter
jelly
honey
batteries of all kinds
pens
pencils
notepads
Requests:
Dunkin Donuts coffee “flavored style”
Starbucks coffee
Movies: old and new
Candles
Brain games/mind puzzles
Magazines:
Motor Trend
Men’s Journal
Men’s Health
National Geographic
Popular Science
Maxim
Stuff
FHM
ESPN
S.I. (we’re already subscribed)
Other popular magazine subjects:
Home renovations, Travel
Real estate and Investing
A special request is for all the school classes that have written my soldiers to please send a list of the kid’s names, address of the school and the teacher name. I would like to put these lists on the wall, by a box of envelopes, to allow my soldiers to write these kids to start a pen pal program if they want. You can email me these lists at my email address below.
We are making a difference over here some highlights are the building of the first all girls school in Taji, bringing electricity and water to two different towns and putting numerous insurgents behind bars. The American soldier could not go through the stresses of war and still perform so well with out the support and prayers from back home. The most important gesture you can do for us over here is simply to pray for us. The power of prayer is undeniable and is truly evident every day over here. The true test of who you are is how your perform on your worst day and that is when the prayers matter the most and we have had a share of rough days but my guys excelled and continue to excel. I can’t thank yall enough for your support.
Thank You,
William Sullivan
1LT
HOOLIGANS!
