Thank You

Two thank yous need to be said:

(This is a good example of what we receive in care packages each and every week. Sometimes twice a week.)

First, I haven't said this in a large public manner yet. Many of you who send us care packages get emails expressing our gratitude as I get the information and time to sit down and write. We get anywhere from 15-50 packages a week and it keeps RP quite busy sorting through the packages so we can get the stuff out to the companies as well as keeping track of who is sending us stuff so we know who to write emails to. I mostly write emails back as it takes about 6 weeks for mail to make it back to the states. Some of you I don't have addresses for, so I wanted to take a moment and thank you for everything you provide the Marines and sailors of 1/9. They are never short of toiletries (though not always getting the brands they prefer) or snack food. While we rarely are there when the care package items arrive at the locations, we do know the stuff goes quickly as the large boxes we send (hold about 40-50 large flat rate boxes) are empty by the time we get to the company positions. Please keep the love coming and know that the guys and gals (we have some females attached to us at times) appreciate all you send.

The second thank you is another one to the USO. They do a great job bringing out people to entertain the Marines and sailors. While not every position can benefit from the visits, the fact they are aggressive in getting people out here speaks volumes to their dedication to those deployed out here. This is my fourth deployment (first in a combat zone) and I had not experienced the USO until this one. The first show wasn't really up my alley, but the second trip wasn't even a show. It was John Stewart, David Blaine and Karl Malone showing up to talk with the guys and sign autographs, etc. I was amazed at how attentive each of these individuals were in just sitting down and talking with the guys. Those conversations with people who just two days prior had been in the States made a huge positive impact on the morale of those they met. David Blaine even freaked everyone out with some card tricks and had John Stewart jumping up out of his chair a few times. I am forever grateful for those who support the USO and those celebrities that take of their time to fly out here and just talk with those who are deployed. A special thanks to John Stewart who flew out on a Thursday night/Friday morning, flew back to the States on Sunday and was back at work on Monday. And he gave FOB Geronimo a shout out on the show.

Notes From Afghanistan Part 2

Last week was a busy week for the RP and myself. We held our first service as the Religious Ministry team on Sunday the 5th and haven't really let off the gas since. I did the invocation for the Turnover of Authority ceremony on Tuesday and we immediately went out to visit one of the companies for a few nights. We got back on Thursday and then on Friday headed back out to visit another company coming back in on Saturday night, just in time to get ready for the meetings and services on Sunday. And now we are back out with another company for a few nights. Right now I am doing part of my duty as chaplain and posting photos on Facebook for the families to see their Marines and give them a small glimpse into what is going on out here.

We got our first batch of mail and care packages last Sunday, though I know there are many more still at Camp Dwyer. We are supposed to get another batch on Thursday so that means a bit of work for RP and I to get them all sorted this weekend so we can get the stuff organized and ready to ship out to the companies as soon as we get room on a convoy. And it seems that all we do is ride around on convoys from one place to another. I am keeping track of the number of convoys and am curious to see how many I will end up riding in by the end of our deployment.

Yesterday afternoon I got to see my first ever USO show. Four deployments later I finally get to see one. This is definitely one positive change from being on a submarine for deployments previously. It was a group of three female comedians who flew out to our FOB to do a show and then flew right back out to another location. They were pretty good and it was nice to have a bit of a live comedy routine to liven up the day.

Way to Go USO

So this isn't an update on anything in the last few days but a huge thank you to the men and women volunteers at the USO at John Wayne International Airport in Ontario, CA. They have done some amazing work the last few days. It started on Thursday night when we arrived at 11pm after a 2.5 hour bus ride from Twentynine Palms after EMV. I happened to be on the first bus at the front and was the first one inside the USO on Thursday night, the first of about 650+ Marines and sailors they would host that night alone, not counting the next two nights with the rest of 1/9 and all of 3/6 getting home.

When we got there, they had cold soft drinks in every part of the USO for us to have along some great snacks. Additionally, they had someone on the grill non stop cooking hot dogs for anyone who wanted them. I have been in a few USO locations and this by far was the largest I have ever seen. It looks like they took over an entire terminal that isn't used anymore and just spread all kinds of love and kindness to our servicemembers. The volunteers took time to talk with each person as they walked in the door and were extremely patient dealing with so many Marines cramped in a space designed for about 150 or so. They were there in shifts all through the night and it was amazing to see that kind of dedication to take care of some hungry and exhausted Marines.

I talked with many of the volunteers (the two Navy vets were glad to talk with a non-Marine for a few minutes). One lady had never seen a chaplain come through and had all kinds of questions and enjoyed talking with me about what I did each day. I am so grateful there are dedicated people that will come in and meet servicemembers regardless of the hour they come through.

Thank you and continued blessings to the USO on their ministry to those they serve.