3/1/05 Update:
Our March package is getting ready to go out. We are
sending it to our new group of soldiers who have just
arrived and to Major Art Floru, who is the Chief of
Current Operations which schedules all their aircraft
and crews around the world. He has requested the
different items than we have been buying for the other
group. Below is an email from the Colonel - hopefully
we'll hear soon that he has arrived back in RI safe and
sound. Thanks for the donations!
Also below is the first email from Major
Floru.
Kristin,
I can see the end of the tunnel
and now I am up to my neck in writing after action
reports and preparing briefings for all the Generals
who are anxious to here how everything went. I’m
trying to finish most of the paper work while I’m
here so I can just worry about the family when I’m
home. You, your family and your friends have
certainly gone to great lengths to ease the
separation pain and make us all feel appreciated.
It means a lot to me personally and I can not begin
to explain how much it means to the guys.
See you soon,
Larry
Major Floru's email:
Kristin,
Sorry I'm late. At this point, about anything you send
would be used. Some of the original ideas of
handy-wipes, carmex, lip balm, lifesavers, root-beer
barrels or various hard candies are good. Chocolates or
perishable foods like that are not practical. If you
keep it simple, it'll probably be a big hit won't go to
waste. If I can come up with more ideas, I'll write
again.
This is very nice of you.
Respectfully,
Art Floru
3/9/05 Update:
The March package was sent to our new group of soldiers
and to Maj Floru this past Saturday, March 5th. It
contained the following:
handy wipes lip balm blank stationery and blank Easter
Cards that the soldiers can use to send letters home
disposable cameras
March 2005 magazines (everything from Time to Golfer's
Digest, Sports Illustrated, Maxim, Car and Driver, etc)
Candy, candy and more candy - every hard candy that
there is, we sent (we threw in a few "Peeps" for Easter)
The package ended up being 40 lbs so unfortunately we
had to spend $25 on shipping. Better planning with the
weight for next time...
2 Cases of Girl Scout cookies (donated by Amelia
O'Rourke's troop in RI)
3/14/05 Update:
The package was received and here's the email from Major
Art Floru. It seems what we sent was a hit! Also, here
is a picture of Art with his daughter Sasha. Now's the
time to donate for April! We need cash to keep this
going... Thanks so much!
Kristin,
Wow. All I can say is Thank You. They called me today
from the mailroom to tell me I had received a package. I
must say I was pleasantly surprised. This is way over
above and beyond. I think you may have told me this
already but did you put that together yourself or was it
part of a school class or group? I'm sorry but I can't
remember. Please let me know and include names if you
can. If it was you alone, then it's unbelievable.
The gang was very happy and your selection of treats was
perfect. I promise you every ounce of this is greatly
appreciated.
I'll write again soon but I just got the call to go back
out.
Thank You again.
Art
