Estates West Homeowners Association conducted  donations for our troops in November, 2008. This time we had a local resident serving a 12-month tour of duty in Iraq, Aaron Kopecky, who  shared your generosity.  We  collected for Aaron and his 200 buddies in the infantry.  His wife, parents, brother and sister all reside here in Estates West.  We hope Aaron and his friends will know how much we support them and we hope we made their Christmas a little happier knowing that we care.  Thank you, once again, Estates West, for your generosity.

Thank you for caring!

 Results from our July , 2008 Donation to the Troops.

An outpouring of affection and appreciation, honor and respect from EWHA members culminated in the collection of more than 450 pounds of supplies and $800 in donations for our men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The donated funds were used to buy 115 phone cards with 100 minutes each and along with the supplies  were divided among the seven soldiers we were supporting - six men and one woman.  A total of 49 care packages was sent on July 22.  The postage was paid by the Estates West Homeowners Association.

The following are several notes of  thanks for the donations that we have received to date:

 THANK YOU LETTERS

(A little note- Brooke and Ralph are a married couple, both serving overseas at different locations. Both were recipients of our packages. ) 

The notes are listed below.  A scanned copy of their notes presently appears under What's New/Newsletters.

Message from Brooke Scott and friends:

July 30, 2008

Dear Friends,

Wow!  THANK YOU for the care packages!!  Your support is incredible and helps us feel closer to home.

Much love,

SPC Brooke Scott

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Everyday I am grateful to be an American--for no other people in no other nation--expresses there love of soldiers like you have!  Thank you so much and it is my honor to serve you.

Major Amandee Rossi

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Thank you for your generosity.

Adam Blazak

                                           ~~~~~~~~~

Message from 2nd Lt. Ralph Scott

August 4, 2008

1745

This morning I picked up 7 boxes from the mail tent.  I had to make two trips to my compound because I was unable to carry it all at once.  Brooke and I have to be the luckiest soldiers in this theater.  I beleive I've set the record to receive seven care packages in one day.  Never again will my lips be chapped, no bad breath, dry skin, no germs and no boredom.  I have enough baby wipes, tooth brushes, soap, lotion, Chap Stick, reading materials, snacks, movies, to last for months. 

I"ve definitely made some new friends, both Iraquis and Americans, becuase everyone around me benefited from the things you sent.  You definitely kicked butt, and took names.  I feel special and loved.  This package came at a great time.  A million Thank You's to all for constantly thinking about and supporting us.

Brooke and I are having a difficult time these days.  As you know, we'e been separated more than we/ve been together.  The added combat  stress, the possiblilty of death, and the possiblity of more separation in the future and other factors have all shed light on the road ahead.  "We have engaaged our commanders to allow us some face time so we can be together for a few das, and make every effort to strengthen our union.  I am looking forward to seeing Brooke and I am optimistic that things will get better.  I ask you to continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

COB Gary Owen is coming along.  They now have one hot meal a day.  The meal is cooked (warmed) in a MKT(Military KiTchen).  An MKT is a basic wheeled apparatus with tent to warm military field-type meals and provide shade for the operators. CPT Toomey and I started eating Iraqui meals again.  While MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) are healthy and rich in nutrients, it's better to break the monotony and eat local food evr so often.  "Each company,  - 130 soldiers have a designated dateto turn in laundry.  I believe the amount of clothing items is ten per soldier; top and bottom counts as one item, but you can only wash one pair a week.  I change my uniform once every five days.  By day five, my uniform feels like it was heavily starched, but looks disgusting.  We've made tremendous progress and it's quite evident.

The IA is still finding caches here in Maysan province.  It's a good thing because every AK47, RPG, mine, rocket that is found means one less instrument used to take a life.  COL Mustafa, 38th brigade commander, is back from leave so we are able to do more.  The IA works for three weeks and go home on leave for seven days.  Maybe one day our army will start doing that, LOL.

Please feel free to forward my email address to folks who sent care packages(ralph.e.scott@us.army.mil)  I would like to add them to the email distribution.  I've already received emails from supporters and well-wishers.  Even though I don't get much time on the computer, I enjoy reading notes from the people who care about troops.

Thanks so much, guys.

So long,

Ralph Scott