Bill Fojtasek has been mailing boxes to troops with donations to ”We Care for the Troops” fund set up at the Blanco National Bank. He has sent over 350 boxes since 2003.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am writing you today to thank you for the amazing support you have given the Ordnance Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (MALS-16) over the past year. As we prepare to hand over our responsibilities to MALS-40, we are looking back at all the great things we have accomplished in light of all the challenges we have faced. The Taliban attacked our base on September 14th, and these Marines moved toward the sounds of the guns to protect each other, America’s property, her values, and her way of life. When the fighting was over and the smoke had cleared, we went right back to our normal duties, and these amazing Marines went right back to being America’s sons and daughters. They are the nice young man from down the street. They are your niece that always wanted to see the world. They are just like the young men and women that you’ve walked right past earlier today. And for many of them, the care packages from Blanco, Texas are the only mail they’ve received from home.
It makes my day when I get to pass out cookies, and brownies, and beef jerky, and candy, and the hundreds of other things that you all have given to us. I love when one of my Marines comes into my office, head to toe in cold weather gear, and says, “Gunny, have we gotten any more snickerdoodles?” We had a great time comparing our Christmas cards we received from Blanco Elementary. We all began to share stories about our sons and daughters, nieces and nephews. I hope someone is able to tell those kids how they made a bunch of hard Marines crack smiles.
As leaders of Marines, we can give our troops many things to make their lives a little better, but when we’re all sitting here in Afghanistan, we can’t give them home. You kind and wonderful folks have done more than enough to give these Marines a taste of home while deployed. With the holidays around the corner, that little bit of home is going to help them have some Christmas snacks far better than whatever the chow hall has planned for us.
This is my third combat tour to three different places, and I know that this type of generosity is something that Marines remember. I cannot express enough how appreciative we are for everything you do. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for giving back to the warriors fighting for the country we all love so much. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. God Bless.
Very Respectfully,
Gunnery Sergeant Michael J. Montour (USMC)
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