“I received your box yesterday. Thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality. I opened the box and set it in a common area for the guys to pick things out of it, and it was gone within a matter of minutes!”
— SFC J.C., TN National Guard
“A few people on our ship only get packages from Friends Of The Troops, so we are super grateful for anything we get.”
— Sailor S. P., U.S. Navy
“I am a Vietnam Veteran and remembered how much ‘Mail Call meant to me as an 18-year-old in a war I knew nothing about. Your letter [was] a big part of a ‘Welcome Home’ which I really needed after waiting 50 years. No way to ‘Thank You’ but to say ‘Thank You!’”
— Veteran J. G., Creswell, OR
“I want you to know that I am grateful for your letters... It’s awesome to know that people back home care for their soldiers. It’s times like this that will help me through my deployment.”
— PFC A. Y., U.S. Army
“I am just returning home and everything from the letters to the care packages were very much appreciated. The letters of motivation, regular check-ups, and holiday gifts surely help this deployment pass by. Thank you much!”
— SN R. C., U.S. Navy
“Thank you for all the packages! I really appreciate everything you’ve sent me. You have no idea how much it means... My wife and I separated not too long ago while I was over here. I really don’t have much family left... Thank you for everything!”
— SGT A. Z., U.S. Army
“I have been feeling down lately and seeing that someone besides my family actually cares, put a smile on my face. Thank you so very much. I really needed this.”
— PVT J. V., U.S. Army
“It completely humbles me to know that there are still people out there that take the time out of their day to send a bit of encouragement to a complete stranger on the other side of the world. I want you to know that it does make an impact, and helps to lift us up just a bit out of the dust and melancholy of being separated from our lives back home.”
— MSGT S. R., U.S. Army
“Words can’t describe how much service members appreciate care packages. Nearing 17 years of persistent conflict, having people who still take the time to send anything from home is amazing. There are many service members who have no one to send them letters or any trinket of comfort from the States. Your generosity and spirit make a difference that cannot be measured.”
— MAJ N. D., U.S. Army
“I would never tell anyone I had fought in Vietnam because they would resent me for it. No one until now ever thanked me... a simple thank you that I never received since I left Vietnam would have made me feel good... Returning Vietnam Vets were seldom appreciated. Your note brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes!”
— Veteran J. C., Quakertown, PA
“I can’t tell you how elated these guys and gals have been to tear through these care packages and letters... There’s been nothing but happy faces all around here.”
