Jan. 22, 2010
To: SSOT
On behalf of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, I would like to send my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the support your organization continues to provide to the past and present service members from Summit, NJ. Our lives are enriched knowing that someone cares about us, our safe return, and understands the sacrifices we endure while serving our country. You have enhanced our moral as we continue to meet our purpose in the Global War on Terrorism. There are many days when Summit's military members are called upon to accomplish tasks that place them in harms way. Knowing that the residents of Summit, through your organization, can express their love and show their support helps us in ways that words cannot describe. I am truly proud to call Summit my hometown and am touched by the out pour of love shown to me whenever I return from overseas. What makes us the greatest nation on earth isn't our military, it's towns like Summit; it's our nation as a whole, and I feel places like Summit are worth defending. I appreciate the support from great Americans such as the residents of Summit.
Wherever the Army takes me in the world, whatever job I am doing, I will always be, first and foremost, Hilltopper.
SSGT Tyrone Holmes
Thursday, March 18, 2010
SSOT provides some "light", literally!
Sun., Jan. 17, 2010
Hey Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that we received 53 headlamps on the last resupply mission. They are greatly appreciated and I have pushed them out to the platoons. They are needed and are being put to use immediately. They are used on missions so guys have a light and can use both hands or keep their hands on their weapons. They are also used for simple things like fixing and prepping trucks for night missions. They even make it into the pitch black porta-potties which don't have any lights and come in handy. They are a huge hit all around, and when I say thank you to you and the SSOT team, it is from all the guys.
Again, we truly do appreciate everything you have sent. The Iraqi children especially loved the candy. So much so that they would hassle us at the beginning of patrols because they could see the bulges in our cargo pockets. "Mister, mister choc-o-lat-eee" is now a common phrase from the children in the neighborhoods we work in! We are heavily armed and camouflaged with Willy Wonkas, winning hears and minds with gob-stoppers!
All the best,
2LT W. Todd Ward
Hey Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that we received 53 headlamps on the last resupply mission. They are greatly appreciated and I have pushed them out to the platoons. They are needed and are being put to use immediately. They are used on missions so guys have a light and can use both hands or keep their hands on their weapons. They are also used for simple things like fixing and prepping trucks for night missions. They even make it into the pitch black porta-potties which don't have any lights and come in handy. They are a huge hit all around, and when I say thank you to you and the SSOT team, it is from all the guys.
Again, we truly do appreciate everything you have sent. The Iraqi children especially loved the candy. So much so that they would hassle us at the beginning of patrols because they could see the bulges in our cargo pockets. "Mister, mister choc-o-lat-eee" is now a common phrase from the children in the neighborhoods we work in! We are heavily armed and camouflaged with Willy Wonkas, winning hears and minds with gob-stoppers!
All the best,
2LT W. Todd Ward
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Your efforts fill a void
January 12, 2010
Dear Summit Supports Our Troops,
I am an officer in Charlie Company, 2-14 Infantry with a Summit native, Todd Ward. We are good friends and co-workers. We have received countless care packages from your organization, and I would just like to say thank you for your time, effort, and undying support on behalf of my soldiers. When we get care packages, it is usually the happiest part of the week (or month). As a leader, nothing feels better than watching our guys open these packages and letters from people who they have never even met, but still offer their patriotic support. A lot of our soldiers come from nothing and have no families. Your efforts help our guys and fill that void in their lives during a time of stress, confusion, and sometimes sorrow. We can not thank you enough for what you are doing. Thanks again.
Respectfully,
1LT Chris McLoughlin
Dear Summit Supports Our Troops,
I am an officer in Charlie Company, 2-14 Infantry with a Summit native, Todd Ward. We are good friends and co-workers. We have received countless care packages from your organization, and I would just like to say thank you for your time, effort, and undying support on behalf of my soldiers. When we get care packages, it is usually the happiest part of the week (or month). As a leader, nothing feels better than watching our guys open these packages and letters from people who they have never even met, but still offer their patriotic support. A lot of our soldiers come from nothing and have no families. Your efforts help our guys and fill that void in their lives during a time of stress, confusion, and sometimes sorrow. We can not thank you enough for what you are doing. Thanks again.
Respectfully,
1LT Chris McLoughlin
Just in time for Christmas
Thur., December 24, 2009
Dear SSOT,
We recently received all of the packages that you sent. They arrived last night, just in time for Christmas! The homemade cookies were especially appreciated, as well as the always needed hygiene products. I cannot thank you enough for all the thought and hard work that was put into making all this happen. I will send some pictures of the guys with all the gear tomorrow on Christmas day during our dinner.
As of now we are preparing to move off our tiny out post and to a slightly larger base at the end of January. We can't wait to have daily showers/running water and contractor made food which is several times better than anything the Army cooks can produce. We will be turning over our small out post to the Iraqi Federal Police who we work with now. That's it from Baghdad. Thanks again for all the gifts that are going to good use here. We truly appreciate it.
Merry Christmas,
2LT W. Todd Ward
Dear SSOT,
We recently received all of the packages that you sent. They arrived last night, just in time for Christmas! The homemade cookies were especially appreciated, as well as the always needed hygiene products. I cannot thank you enough for all the thought and hard work that was put into making all this happen. I will send some pictures of the guys with all the gear tomorrow on Christmas day during our dinner.
As of now we are preparing to move off our tiny out post and to a slightly larger base at the end of January. We can't wait to have daily showers/running water and contractor made food which is several times better than anything the Army cooks can produce. We will be turning over our small out post to the Iraqi Federal Police who we work with now. That's it from Baghdad. Thanks again for all the gifts that are going to good use here. We truly appreciate it.
Merry Christmas,
2LT W. Todd Ward
Packages are a HUGE hit!
Sat., November 14, 2009
I just wanted to write to thank you and the rest of the SSOT team for all their support. We recently got 7 of the packages in the mail and they were a HUGE hit with the guys. Many of the guys, myself included, have gone over two weeks without getting to any type of PX/AFFES (mini-mart) to get toiletries or snacks of any kind. The guys really appreciated the cards the kids wrote as well. Some of the guys are writing the kids back letters. I attached some of the photos of my company level out post. I'll try to get photos of the guys with the gear next time. I did this during the daylight hours so besides the guys on guard, most of the other guys were sleeping after running missions all night.
Thanks again to the entire SSOT team.
2LT W. Todd Ward
I just wanted to write to thank you and the rest of the SSOT team for all their support. We recently got 7 of the packages in the mail and they were a HUGE hit with the guys. Many of the guys, myself included, have gone over two weeks without getting to any type of PX/AFFES (mini-mart) to get toiletries or snacks of any kind. The guys really appreciated the cards the kids wrote as well. Some of the guys are writing the kids back letters. I attached some of the photos of my company level out post. I'll try to get photos of the guys with the gear next time. I did this during the daylight hours so besides the guys on guard, most of the other guys were sleeping after running missions all night.
Thanks again to the entire SSOT team.
2LT W. Todd Ward
Sincere thanks to SSOT
April 29, 2009
I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate the generosity and support of Summit Supports Our Troops. Although I feel guilty accepting your packages given the modest nature of my contribution, it is truly inspiring to be able to call such a patriotic community home. In reviewing your website and seeing so many familiar names making great sacrifices for our county, I can't help but feel an incredible sense of pride in being from Summit. I'm sure all of our uniformed Summit natives echo my sentiments. It's organizations like yours that foster such a great tradition of service in our community. Please pass on my sincere thanks as well as those of the 46th Test Squadron to everyone at SSOT.
Respectfully,
2Lt Todd Branchflower
USAF
I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate the generosity and support of Summit Supports Our Troops. Although I feel guilty accepting your packages given the modest nature of my contribution, it is truly inspiring to be able to call such a patriotic community home. In reviewing your website and seeing so many familiar names making great sacrifices for our county, I can't help but feel an incredible sense of pride in being from Summit. I'm sure all of our uniformed Summit natives echo my sentiments. It's organizations like yours that foster such a great tradition of service in our community. Please pass on my sincere thanks as well as those of the 46th Test Squadron to everyone at SSOT.
Respectfully,
2Lt Todd Branchflower
USAF
Thanks for caring emails, packages and letters
April 13, 2009
I want to thank everyone who sent caring emails, packages and letters. It really means a lot to me and my fellow troops to have people back home thinking of us and remembering we are here. As in so many wars before us, there have been so many men and women who have not been fortunate to come home. I honor them; as everyone should, every time I wake up. There have been some life altering times here during my time, I will never forget this time I have spent in Iraq.
During the past few months, we have seen many co-workers come and go. Some will be remembered for the rest of my life. The elite men that I have had the honor to serve with and work beside spend their lives in the shadows in thankless jobs not known about by the American public. They are the men that are out where no one wants to be and doing things we could never imagine. The special operators from the United States are the nicest guys I have ever met. These guys took us in and taught us a lot, even when they were busy with their own missions.
We are starting to pack up our things and only keep mission essentials. We are again very thankful for what you all have done thus far.
Thanks again!
SGT Dustin Widas
I want to thank everyone who sent caring emails, packages and letters. It really means a lot to me and my fellow troops to have people back home thinking of us and remembering we are here. As in so many wars before us, there have been so many men and women who have not been fortunate to come home. I honor them; as everyone should, every time I wake up. There have been some life altering times here during my time, I will never forget this time I have spent in Iraq.
During the past few months, we have seen many co-workers come and go. Some will be remembered for the rest of my life. The elite men that I have had the honor to serve with and work beside spend their lives in the shadows in thankless jobs not known about by the American public. They are the men that are out where no one wants to be and doing things we could never imagine. The special operators from the United States are the nicest guys I have ever met. These guys took us in and taught us a lot, even when they were busy with their own missions.
We are starting to pack up our things and only keep mission essentials. We are again very thankful for what you all have done thus far.
Thanks again!
SGT Dustin Widas
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