If I could send you all the joy you have helped in creating

Sent to our main email address; what a beautiful letter! We hope these ladies in particular see this!

To: Scrappinkay, Roxanna, Lucille K, Connie T and Carolyn,

Thank you so very much for the wonderful creation of cards that you have made and sent to our troops overseas.  I have been the lucky recipient of several beautiful cards that my husband sent home to me from Afghanistan. If I could send you all the joy you have helped in creating by such a gift as this, you would know how truly grateful I am for your efforts. Thank you's don't seem strong enough to express my deepest feelings as to what they bring to my life. I know this sounds overly dramatic and I do ask you pardon for such poetic license in this as I will explain a little in the hope you all will understand, as I don't know if you have or had loved ones who have served in uniform but to me these little treasure are a blessing.

I am a Proud Marine wife and madly in love with my husband GySgt H.R. currently on a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan. We are stationed at MCAGCC (Marine Corps. Air Ground Combat Center) Twentynine Palms, CA. I moved out here in August of 09 just in time to watch my husband deploy that September, we are counting down the days till he will finally be home and we hope not to deploy again for a year (if we are lucky).  Between the both of us we have 5 very strong children who are greatly missing their father right now. We have dealt with the 6 and the occasional 9 month deployments but, this is our first full 12 month cycle.  Through out this deployment my husband has had very few times to call home and for the most part communications leaving the base are left to a 15 min phone call also, with the job he does (infantry) he is constantly busy focusing on his job as it should be and when he can he will write a quick note to everyone before he is off again doing what he must. There have been weeks that have gone by that I haven't heard from him, though I am grateful as we live in the technical era where phones, emails and texts exist the fact that I can get a word on his well being with in moments is a true blessing but, I have to say I have it easy as the wives before me would wait months to hear how their loved one was so, I am truly thankful.

The first card I received was 3 months into this deployment and now I will get one about 1 or 2 monthly. These cards are a welcome gift, truly they are as it allows him to express his thoughts when he feels the impulse to do so allowing me to know im still tucked safely in his heart as he is in mine. I check the mail and find these wonderful cards and I am all aglow telling all that can hear that My husband is the Bomb ..lol and you are all angels. It has been close to 2 weeks now since I last heard from My Henry and wouldn't you know it, there were 4 cards sitting in the mailbox with loving words from a man, stuck in the heat, surrounded by dirty, smelly marines but he took the time to write me and tell me how much he misses and loves me and our children..

I wanted you to know you have had a hand in keeping us all connected, when words fail us, you have given us a way to get it across so not a moment is lost even when they are so far from us. You not only helped him send his love home but made my day a lot less heavy with worries that can be hard to bare. Thank you and Much Awesome respect to all who have taken the time to participate in this cause.

Sincerely,

Mrs. R.M.R.

My family and friends in the States absolutely loved them

My name is SPC C.W,, currently serving in Iraq with XXth QM Company.  I just want to thank you for the cards we have received. SGT B. had requested cards for the company.  My family and friends in the States absolutely loved them.  We will be going home the end of September.

My former 1SG has recently arrived in Afghanistan and I would like his current Company to receive cards. Could that be done? Here is his Company's address. [deleted]

Please let me know if you need any other information and if my request can be met. 

Thank you for all you do,

SPC Walters

[and of course we said yes!]

Card Maker Hears from a Hero!!

Card maker Ruth B. of Hillsborough, NJ got this nice email from one of our heroes!!

Hello - About a month ago, one of my Soldiers received a package from Operation Write Home and inside were handmade cards. I went through them and picked out a beautiful one and sent it home to my mother as my first "here I am in Iraq" letter. On the back of the card, I noted your email address and assumed that the card must have been your creation.

If that's the case, I just wanted to thank you for 1- participating in the program, and 2- for making such a beautiful card. I'm not very creative, but I can certainly tell that it took a great deal of work and time to make it. My mom got the card a few weeks ago, and loved the fact that I sent a handwritten letter and not an email.

Again, thank you very much. My guys have had a good time going through and finding appropriate and "pretty" cards for their wives and children, and I'm sure that their families are appreciating something hand written.

Respectfully,
Major R.H.
Iraq

"AWESOME"

Our company is fortunate enough to receive the box of handmade "AWESOME" cards by Operation Write Home. Thanks for all you do!

(note unsigned)

Greatly boosted our morale!

On official Army letterhead:

On behalf of the 85th Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control), we would like to thank you and your organization for the packages that we received.

Our unit provides direct support combat and operational stress control prevention and treatment services to Soldiers serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 10-11.

The cards inside the package have greatly boosted our morale! We are grateful for the time that you have taken out of your day to think of us and demonstrate your patriotism. We are truly blessed to live in a country where great Americans, like you and your organization, support service members that are deployed.

I can assure you that the Soldiers of the 85th MED DET (CSC) sincerely appreciate your efforts. Thank you again for your generosity and continuous support.

C.M.B.
1LT, MS
Executive Officer

A handwritten PS was added:
I really appreciate the support you have shown us,  the boxes you sent us meant a lot and helped us in ways we struggled! May God bless you and your family!
CPL J.

First card

Just wanted to say thanks for the cards you guys make. I recently moved to a new office and found a box of awesome cards. I just sent my wife one and I plan on sending lots more to family and friends. Really appreciate your effort to keep people in touch with our loved ones back home. Thanks again.

CPT A.C.

We are all very impressed and humbled

I just received the box of cards that you sent and my office is very thankful!  We don't have a source of greeting cards here at our compound, so they are very, very appreciated and I think about 20 of them have already been picked up within the last hour.  One guy told me I was an angel, and I told him I am not the angel this time!  :-) Then I told him about your program and we are all very impressed and humbled.  Thank you very much from everyone here.  Have a nice day!

Sincerely, M.M.

You seem to know....

Greetings to you in the precious name of the Lord! On behalf of the 21st CSH* team I extend sincere thank you once again for the cards you so diligently continue to send for the troops.

The amazing thing is that you seem to know exactly when we are almost out or completely out of cards. We now keep them in the clinic waiting area where there is more traffic of soldiers. So while they are waiting to see the doctor they would go through and take a few cards.
Thank you!

D.Y.

*Combat Support Hospital

Email to Card Maker Debi R.

Good Morning, Debi

Just wanted to say thank you very much for the wonderful cards that we received in the mail. The cards mean so much to all of us over here in Iraq. It is nice knowing that the war we are fighting has not gone unnoticed over time.

We are truly blessed to have caring loving people like you to remind us that the small sacrifices we are making are well worth it for the safety of our homeland and liberties.

Thank you again and hope you have a Blessed Day.

P.E.B.

Email to Card Maker Debi R.

Good Morning, Debi

Just wanted to say thank you very much for the wonderful cards that we received in the mail.
The cards mean so much to all of us over here in Iraq. It is nice knowing that the war we are fighting has not gone unnoticed over time.

We are truly blessed to have caring loving people like you to remind us that the small sacrifices we are making are well worth it for the safety of our homeland and liberties.

Thank you again and hope you have a Blessed Day.

P.E.B.

Awwww...

I received the cards today!!! They are so wonderful!
I will pass them along to our unit and thank you so much!
Even the guys "awwww'ed" at the cuteness!
This has made me very happy and a bit excited to get started!

J.E.W. Army, Afghanistan

Biden, Graham, Lieberman, and McCain - with one of our heroes!

I received one of your letters and I just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!

Just know that we appreciate YOU and your Volunteers very much! See attached photos...Maybe you can post them to your website. with [caption provided below]. Thank you for your tremendous support while we are separated from our friends and families.

May God Continue to Bless You - Hooah!
Vr,
COL Hensley

Colonel Hensley photographed with Vice President Biden and Senators Lindsey Graham, Senator Lieberman, and Senator McCain at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, Iraq

It is so comforting

‎Thank you so much for sending us the box of cards to our deployed soldiers, airmen and Marines. It is so comforting to be able to communicate with our families, since communication is very limited here. Thank you for making it easier for us to remember our families and friends. God Bless You.

Very Respectfully
CPT E.S. Baghdad Iraq

Thank you again for your service!

This came along with her request for four other units...she shared hers with others and now they want their own boxes!

Thank you again, it has been fun to peel thru the cards provided.
I took a bunch of your cards up from Kandahar the last time I went to Tarin Kowt.  I took a bunch  first by a Special Forces unit I work with, and felt silly offering the cards over, but I got to smile when 4 of the guys stood around a table looking thru them and grabbed a few to send.  I dropped the remainder off in the coffee room where the lead elements of a unit and last of the departing unit were sharing office space - the cards were gone in a week.  Thank you again for your service!

LTC P.R.

My 4 year old called the card "fancy"

Posted on our Facebook fan page:

We just received letters from my husband in Iraq courtesy of Operation Write Home. Thank you so much for making this possible. Not only were my little girls so excited to get their own personal letter from Daddy but they were excited about how cute the cards were too. My 4 year old called the card "fancy"........thank you again!
A.S.

We will never forget

Thank you so much for your continued support and for your wonderful cards! The Marines of my motor transport platoon and of Bravo Company are so grateful, and our families are as well. We are slated to return to North Carolina from Helmand Province the first week in August. It has been a long six months full of hard work and we are ready to come home, but we will never forget the nice things people like you have done for us. Thank you.

Semper Fidelis!
1LT C.F., Convoy Commander

Blog Tour prize winner!

We're happy to announce the winner of the SU set: Judianne Graham! She created this sweet little tear bear for her AnyHero card submitted for the drawing. Congrats!!

My first deployment away from him

Dear Operation Write Home,

I just wanted to send a note of thanks for all of the handmade greeting cards. I have a 22 month old son at home and this is my first deployment away from him. Your cards gave me the idea to write to him while I'm here. He loves getting the cards with all of the picture of animals and cartoon characters. It has been difficult being away from him, but your cards gave me the opportunity to connect with him -- I enjoy writing the cards and he enjoys getting them in the mail. :) Thank you for helping to make this deployment better for me and my family.

Sincerely,

Maj, K.C.

Americans....sharing with Aussie brothers!

Dear Sandy,
This is just a short note to pass on thanks for the fantastic idea of Operation Write Home. As an Australian Soldier who is working in an area alongside American Soldiers, I have been very priveleged to be invited to make use of the cards to keep in touch with my family back in Australia.

These cards have enabled myself and others within the group to pen a few lines home when things are not so busy, without having to chase up paper, envelopes to write home with.

I am sure that it is not a solo effort so please pass on to the group my thanks.

The ards have made it so much more of a personal touch when you write home, rather than the store puchased cards. I have been able to send home birthday cards for my twin daughters, Mothers Day cards for my Mother, Mother-in Law, and my wife. I was able to also find an anniversary card for my wife = 24 years married this year = so thank you!

Well as I said, just a short thank you for the cards, and unless it is against your wishes, I will send a few more home before my tour ends.

Thanks,
B.H., Australian Soldier, Afghanistan

The only thing available

Thank you for the box of cards.  It arrived yesterday on 5 July.  What a great surprise it was.  I have to tell you, that is the best group of cards I have ever seen.  I love them all.  They are perfect for those of us who are deployed.  My daughter's birthday was in April and I had to send her a card that said "Happy Birthday Grandma" because that was the only thing available.  It was funny and we both laughed about it.  We don't have to worry about that any more, thanks to all of you at Operation Write Home.

Thanks again to you and all the outstanding Americans who make the cards and support such a wonderful program.

SMSgt G.C.

Gives us something positive to talk about

Thanks so very much for the cards, they were absolutely wonderful, you all have so much talent.  We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and we love to know that folks back in the states are thinking of us.  It truly makes us happy and it gives us something positive to talk about.  May God continue to bless you all and thanks again.

R.D.

I'll be using 4 cards today to write my 4 girls!!!

Just wanted to let you know that we received the package of cards today. I already hung up all the letters that people wrote on one wall in our conference room. It looks great. Do you happen to know the address or the class of the school that had letters from the kids? I would love to send them a thank you note. Thank you so much for the box. I'll be using 4 cards today to write my 4 girls!!! Thanks.

1 LT R.M. - Afghanistan

So beautiful that I didn't want to share them

Sandy,
Thank you so much for the handmade cards. They are all so beautiful that I didn't want to share them. Bu I know I must. You should really think abou tselling your cards. I know that I would buy your handmade cards over Hallmark any day. Then, you could use some of the profits to buy card making supplies. Just a thought.

My husband, SGT J.R. also loved the box of cards you sent him.* I'm more of a writer than he is so I told him I would write the thank you letter. All of the guys that he works with in his motor pool really liked the cards too.

I love Ciara, the mascot. She looks perfect for the job.† My husband and I have 2 cats, Lucy and Patches. My husband got Lucy as a kitten from one of his friends before I had come back from our first deployment. She should be in those cute calendars with the jokes, she is just adorable. She loves to play and snuggle. We rescued Patches from the pound a few months before we deployed this time. She is still pretty small but we don't know exactly how old she is. She is a spaz and loves to play. I can't wait to get home and see them. They are our babies.

I can't believe that you find time to make cards for us. It's absolutely amazing that you have a fulltime job and do this during spare time! I'm glad you do it though. I never usually send letters or cards home, and now this gives me something to send and brighten the days of our families and friends back home.

Oh and I loved the card that SPC in Afghanistan made. That was pretty unique!

I hang the majority of cards I get from people on my cubicle walls and yours and your pictures are up there.

Well it's bedtime for me, Thanks again!

Sincerely,
SPC K.R.

*They requested cards at the same time. I suspect a few are being exchanged between them at their deployed locations!†

† I sent a photo of Ciara and Toby helping pack cards.

Make the days go by and bring some joy into our lives

I want to thank you for including us in your letters and packages.  I am currently serving at Camp Phoenix Afghanistan and the boxes help make the days go by and bring some joy into our lives.  Thank you and everyone there.

Very Respectfully,

J.T.

Gifts from a hero...to you!

Shipper Kris received a special treat from a hero....

Kris, I wanted to say thank you SO much for all of the cards you have been sending us.  I make them available to other units and my soldiers in the company too.  With the recent holidays we have been using them pretty often. My kids really enjoy getting them too!

Anyway just received one more box and wanted to let you know my unit will be leaving next month. I didn't want you to pay and ship the box without anyone here to get it.  I appreciate all you've done to help us remain in touch with our family and frinds. Here is a US Flag star as a small token of my appreciation for all you have done.

Thanks and God Bless, Cpt Lancaster





The backside of the white circle which explained where the star came from said this:

Carried in Afghanistan by Cpt Shad Lancaster

March - April 2010

FOB Gardez

FOB Salerno

Bagram AFB

FOB Tillman

Blog Tour: Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday to the U.S.A!

If you're just arriving here without starting at the beginning of the tour, be sure to go to the Stars and Stamps blog to see all the great birthday cards being posted this weekend. What inspiration! Our card here uses a cute image by Elizabeth Dulemba, and makes a great card for a hero's child:

We sure wish we could send this treat to our heroes....what a cake! This was made for a cardsigning event a few weeks ago, photo courtesy of Lauri:

Blog candy

The prize is offered up by one of our cardmakers, Loni - what a GREAT set of stamps for AnyHero cards, and it's by Stampin Up!

To qualify for the drawing for one of these goodies: make an AnyHero card! You have til the end of the threeday weekend to add your link below....please make a new one, cards that were posted previous to this weekend won't be entered into the drawing. 

**If you have no blog, you can upload anywhere on the web and link your card here. Including our OWH gallery! If all else fails, send an email to sandy@operationwritehome.org and I'll take care of it for you if I can!