As-Salāmu `Alaykum

Word from Mike's e-mail we receieved Sunday:
"All the Marines are still really excited to be here...the packages help keep it that way too! I attached a photo of some of the guys going through the packages. I'm sure CNN is constantly discussing the futility of us being here...not so much the case. The Afghans want our help, but are scared to take it. In time, I think we will be able to build a better relationship...so the cause isn't a lost one yet. The Taliban really do have a hold on these people though."

Indian River County 4-H Horsemasters

We have spent the morning packing Christmas care packages. Our latest donation came from Morgan Pomfret's 4-H Horsemaster's Club. Thanks Morgan and all - we will be sending your supplies out on Monday. ;-)
On this Thanksgiving day, we would like to give thanks today to all of our military service men and service women. A special thanks goes out to the families that have sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, husbands or wives away from home. We know you miss them the way we miss our Mikey!

Yes I Can!

Thanks to Brenda Kendrick Truesdale, her Yes I Can club (ESE students and mentors) from Sebastian River High School, collected approximately 50 boxes of supplies for care packages along with funds to ship them! They also wrote letters and cards for the Marines. The ones that were left open we read, wish I could post some. What a way to uplift the spirits of our Marines! Loved them :-) Once again, our greatest heartfelt thanks go out to everyone in our community that is supporting Mike and his platoon.

Its Cold in Afghanistan

Let me start with a disclaimer, the following is not from any complaints from Michael, simply him answering our questions.
Q: I heard it is getting cold at night. What is it like?
A: Yeah, one night it got down to 18°, our water was frozen when we woke up.
Q: Do you have enough cold weather gear?
A: Mostly.
Q: Have you seen any poppy fields?
A: They are everywhere, same as pot fields. Yesterday a pot field was burning; a mortar must have hit it.
Q: Can you tell us what you have been doing?
A: We are working on repairing a bridge that was hit. It’s crazy; the locals are lined up waiting to get across the river. We are working in waist deep, ummm, basically sewage. While we are in the river working, cows, goats, etc. come down to the water and that is basically the cesspool. I sure would like to take a shower, but that won’t be happening for a while.
Q: Have you seen any gunfire?
A: Don’t worry; I am doing my best to keep my guys safe. I take the maximum precaution every day. *Author’s note – do you notice how he dodged that question?
Q: Are you getting mail on a regular basis?
A: That’s funny, I seem to be getting the most and at first my guys were giving me a hard time – yeah – see his mail has Lt. on it that’s why he’s getting mail! Then they realized when I get packages they are actually the ones getting the packages – so they are real happy when the packages arrive! I keep my letters and read, re-read and then read them some more each day. The letters can keep coming, they help a lot.
Q: How are you?
A: Life’s GOOD! I mean, waking up to 18° mornings, working in excrement, doing what I’m trained to do, can’t get any better! *Author’s note – I believe he is a Taoist!
Q: What’s the best thing about being over there?
A: Payday! *Author’s note: those of you that know Miguel, this makes so much sense ;-)

Vero Beach 32963 Article

Packages have FINALLY arrived!

Yeah, I got to speak with Mike this morning and he said that they have received about 22 packages so far. As expected - the packages came in and he told his Marines to open them, pull out letters for him and to pass out whatever is in the boxes amongst themselves. So much for trying to send Michael anything but letters! He said THANK YOU, the packages were a HUGE morale boost for his Marines. He said when he got to the boxes all was gone. I guess we are taking care of his needs if we meet the needs of his platoon. To everyone that has helped and is continuing to help in the care package project - it is working :-)

Mike said they went through a sand storm. His analogy was like watching a large rain storm heading your way, you watch it with anticipation - the rain coming to cool the Florida heat and to wash away the dirt - but - the sand storm doesn't cool, the sand storm doesn't clean - the sand storm just brings more sand! He said that he had been out on a mission for a few weeks and he thought the sand was everywhere you don't want it, until the sand storm, and then he found out there are even more places the sand can get in that you don't want it to! He said his sleeping bag just looks like the sand, can't tell any difference between it and the ground.

2-D Mike Back to School

The Imagine School of South Vero has taken our Support Our Troops campaign as their school project! Tina Skubal, from the school, has asked the students to bring in donated supplies as well as make Christmas cards for the platoon :-) Tina's father is a Marine so this campaign is near and dear to her heart.

 

We have made a life size cardboard standup to place in the school. The picture shows Wayne Tozzolo, 2-D Mike and Carolyn Lange.