Thank you from the soldiers

I received the care packages you sent today and wanted to drop a quick note to say thank you. In response to the condition that they were received, everything was intact and nothing was damaged. The variety of items in each box was good. I can’t begin to tell you how much support from people such as yourselves means while we are deployed on foreign soil doing what almost seems to be futile jobs. But looking at the larger picture, our work here is essential for stability which leads to a closer hold on terrorists from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan.

I think you can say that I have already made a career out of the U.S. Navy. I will have 20 years of service in October of this year and don’t plan on stopping there. My job is best described as an Administrative Assistant. Sounds boring, but I take care of policies, directives, correspondence, personnel evaluations, pays, travel, among many other things. I have had the pleasure to do work as Security and Fire Fighting since I joined.

Since joining, I have been stationed in Orlando, Florida (boot camp)/Guantanamo Bay, Cuba/Rota, Spain/Brunswick, Maine/Oak Harbor Washington/ Fallon, Nevada and I am currently stationed with SEAL Team SEVEN in Coronado, California. By the end of the year, my family and I will be relocating to Germany to a joint command over there. Should be a very exciting tour. If you would like to put your face to a name, www.navyflakes.blogspot.com has some family photos on it. I think it is great that your organization is in Placerville area. I grew up in South Lake Tahoe and both my wife and I still have family there. My wife is actually headed up there in about a week to spend time with family before we transfer to Germany in the fall. I love going back to visit the Tahoe area and wonder why I left. Tahoe is so unique from one season to the next.

Right now, it is like two o’clock in the morning and taking a break from work. It appears that the boxes took 8 days to get here based on the shipping date that was annotated on one of the boxes. It will be nice to get back stateside. The building I work at is made from 2x4s and plywood. It will be nice to get back to my office in Coronado where I can see the ocean and the beach from my window. Once, again, thanks for the care packages and your support.

Lance

Ladies,

It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude that I write this letter to you. Your package was received yesterday on November 11, 2011. All the contents within the package arrived in perfect condition.

The Marines and I are truly grateful for the items enclosed. Most importantly, we are thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. Our return date is still scheduled for April 2012.

Again, thank you for your support as we continue with our mission. I wish you wonderful ladies a Happy Thanksgiving, and a joyous holiday season. God bless you all.

1st Sgt Zetina K.L.
Weapons Company
3rd BN 7th Marines

Shirley,

It is amazing how small the world really is. Here I am in Iraq and I get a care package from someone who lives in the same town that I am from. I came to Tahoe in December 1983 with my dad who worked at Perry’s Auto Body on D and Industrial. My father-in-law owns Welcomes Auto Body and another friend of the family owns the Chevron station in Meyers. I am headed home and then off to Germany. Thanks for your support.

Lance Flake