1/15/06

1.  We heard from Dan and he received our January packages. See email below.
2.  We have two new contacts for February - MSG Michael Christ and CPT John Cassetta.  More info on them coming soon. 
3.  Our February packages are just about ready to go out to our three groups.  You'll be hearing from me this week with details and pictures.

Dear Kristin,

We received your shipment a few days ago, and again I can’t thank you enough. When ever I get mail now, people are all over me hoping it is from you guys. The Tee shirts (I scored the Red Sox one for myself) went over very big, as did the hand held games. The guys from Mass were happy to see the Herald and other papers, and I thought there might by a wrestling match over the maxim magazines.

Once again, your thoughtfulness brightened the day for a lot of people myself included.

I am sorry to have to cut this message short, I am expected in a briefing in about 30 minutes and still have some information I have got compile.

I hope all is well with you and your family, please take care of yourself and thanks again

Dan

01/19/06
January's packages were recently sent to Dan Curran.  We have only one contact at this point because thankfully our other three contacts - Art, Juan and Brett - are on their way home or very close to leaving Iraq. 

We heard (and read) that some soldiers who received a personal note from you in their stockings wrote back to you with their thanks.  Personal notes mean so much - even from strangers!  Thank you.

Here is a picture Dan recently sent of the entire unit:

Unit picture of the entire 43d MP Bde

On Christmas Eve, Colonel Chris Callahan arrived home after being in Iraq for 14 months.  Col Callahan was with our former contacts, Laurie and Amy.  The Callahan family has been a big supporter of Pack It Up and have really spread the word about us.  Donna Callahan, Chris' wife, sent us an email and these pictures about the homecoming.

Hi Kristin -

Hope you had a Merry Christmas! I wanted you to know that I mentioned you and your family and Pack It Up when I spoke briefly before Chris' homecoming on Christmas Eve. I explained that the Christmas spirit abounds in Iraq (Art's efforts) and here as well.

It was a fantastic homecoming. ALL of the 1/126th are home now from overseas. Several have to return to North Carolina to retrieve the helicopters, but they are all safe. I attached a few pix for you. Check out yesterday's ProJo to see Amy Litman on the front page!!!

Keep up the great work and keep me posted on fundraisers in our area!

Happy New Year!
Donna

Christmas Eve Homecoming

We also heard from Kathie Curran, who is Dan's wife.  Here is her email and a picture she sent:

Good Morning,

First off I want to thank you for all the support that you show to our soldiers in Iraq. My husband Dan is now serving in Iraq and he is one of your points of contact. Dan has told me about all the wonderful items that you have sent to his unit and how much joy it gets out of sharing them with his troops. Here is a picture I thought you would like to have. Recently Jack Reed visited some troops in Iraq and Dan and his brother Sean were able to get a picture with him Here it is.

Thanks again for all your support.

Kathie A. Curran

Sean Curran, Senator Jack Reed and Dan Curran

What we sent in January's packages:
This month, we sent over a bunch of things including:  fleece blankets, local newspapers, magazines, homemade oatmeal cookies, movies including Caddyshack, Unfaithful, Ocean's 12, Aviator, Million Dollar Baby, Starsky and Hutch, Die Hard, Dave Chapelle Show and Princess Bride.  Also, we sent the video games NHL 2K6 and Vice City and a bunch of games like Texas Hold Em, and 6 different handheld electronic games (with batteries!).  Lastly, we sent over about 75 Hallmark Valentine cards that they can use to send back home.  (We've done this for a few holidays now and it always seems to be a big hit.)