by firefirghter2 on Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:09 pm
I have been in contact with the Chaplain that sent out this letter. His unit, the 2/6 Spartans, will be returning home very soon and asked that I not send this unit but another unit that is just arriveing over there the items that I will be getting together to send. He is very thankful for our parayers, thoughts and all the items we were gonna send. Below are some of the e-mail messages we have been trading back and forth. Once again thank you all for the donations including the ones that I picked up today. I just wanted to keep everyone informed about what's going. If anyone wants to still donate you get a hold of me at 651-491-4411.
Robert
Robert,
We will be out soon but below is another unit that is just now getting here. They would love to receive your items.
Thanks for all you do for us!
Blessings,
Dave Mowbray
Chaplain, 2/6
Chaplain Brian Jacobson
2nd Recon
H&S Company Chapel
Unit 76676
FPO AE 09510-6676
From:Robert.........
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 22:21
To: Mowbray Lt David L (2/6 CHAPLAIN)
Subject: Re: Operation Christmas Stocking
Hello Sir,
Do you know when the mail to your unit will be cut off? Should I still send the care packages? If not to your unit since it might not get to you, is there another unit that you know of that we could send items to?
I am very happy to hear that you and your Marines and Sailors are doing good. i know the Marines will never give up in a fight:) Iam so happy to hear that you will be returning state side very soon. I would like if we could stay in contact. I know that my family and friends along with myself are very blessed to have brave men and women over there fighting for us and I don't want any of you to think you have been forgotten or not appreciated. Where I live, in Oakdale, Minnesota, I work as a volunteer firefirghter/EMT and I love it. I love helping people but also know what sacrifice is as well as I am sure you know all about all to well. I am gonna try to maybe get some of our FD patches together and/or shirts and send them your way if not to you overseas back at your base if possible. Just a thought. I do realize you sent out that letter quite a while ago but I didn't recieve until about the 4th of November. I am a member of MN Gun Talk.com and that's where another had posted youur letter. Any way, if you sould let me know what you would like, I do already have some items ready to be shipped, or where you would like me to send the care packages please let me know. Once again give your unit, The Mighty Spartans, a big Thank You form myself and my family and friends from Here in Minnesota.
Sincerely,
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mowbray Lt David L (2/6 CHAPLAIN)" <david.mowbray@afg.usmc.mil>
To:Robert
Sent: Sunday, November 7, 2010 8:14:38 AM
Subject: RE: Operation Christmas Stocking
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your kind email. We have had a tough fight here, but are holding our own. We are in the center of Marjah, Afghanistan.
I did send this email out a couple of months ago, but we have been so blessed with items, and your thoughts and prayers would be even more welcome at this point. Our mail will be cut off soon, as we are due to return home after the holidays. That will be the best “present” of all. I just wanted to have something on hand to give to the guys for the Christmas holidays.
Blessings to you, and thanks for asking about us here. We can’t wait to get home!
Sincerely,
Dave Mowbray
Chaplain
2/6 Spartans
From:Robert
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 04:10
To: Mowbray Lt David L (2/6 CHAPLAIN)
Subject: Operation Christmas Stocking
Hello Sir,
My name is Robert .... I live in Oakdale, Minnesota, USA and I just recently recieved this posting as follows:
“Operation Christmas Stocking!”
2/6 Chaplain Dave Mowbray
9/8/2010
Marjah, Afghanistan
Greetings from sunny Afghanistan ! It’s that time once again! Time for “Operation Christmas Stocking!”
Every fall, I begin collecting Christmas stockings to hand out to my Marines and Sailors, so they can have a little Christmas joy while they are away from home. I didn’t do the drive last year, since we were only deployed to exotic North Carolina . However this year finds 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in far-off Afghanistan , and your donations would really brighten a young service member’s day!
In case you haven’t done this before, it’s pretty easy. My goal is to give everyone in my battalion a stocking on Day—plain and simple. To do that, I need your help. Here are the items I need from folks like you to make this a success:
-Christmas stockings (12-18 inches long, and feel free to decorate and/or write your name/message on either the inside or outside)
-Pre-lit Christmas Trees (2-4 feet high, cheap ones are fine. These will be used in the various posts and bases around Marjeh)
-Christmas related candy, candy canes, small toys and similar items. The more “Christmasy” or silly the better.....
Myself and some of my family and friends also recieved this message and are more then happy to help out. I want to take this moment, I know it's not much, to thank you all from the bottom of my heart and from my family and friends. I know that this care package will not reach all of you in time for Christmas in time but I hope it will get to you soon after and you can have X-Mas all over again. I will be hopefully sending this care package by the end of this month(Nov) or sooner. I know you may not be able to discuss anything about the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment but, if you can send some info along the way good, if not I understand. I went to MCRD in San Diego but unfortunately came down with severe pnumonia and spent half of boot at the Navy Hospital and then recieved a medical discharge. Wanted to re-enlist but they said "No". I have no hard feelings toward them. I always have loved the Marines and what they stand for and all of the branches of our great military and will stand behind our soldiers forever. I just want to give back for what all of you do for us back at home. Enough babbling from me. I look forward to hearing from you and stay safe. Tell all the Marines and Sailors to stay safe and tell them Thank you from all of us here in Oakdale, Minnesota(suburb of Minneapolis/St.Paul).
Sincerely,
Robert ........
Last edited by
ttousi on Mon Nov 08, 2010 2:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Personal info redacted