We Support Our Troops!!!

We received this email from Bronwyn, the mom of one of our soldiers......

"My son finally was able to call me from Afghanistan yesterday. John has been on a very dangerous outpost and has, up until now, been out of contact from most of the world. He made a specific point to ask me to email the people who sent cookies. He went on and on about all the cookies he had been receiving. He and his fellow Marines have been very appreciative of all the cookies, letters and encouragement. It meant alot to all of them.

I have to tell you what he told me about how he has been using some of the cookies. Because everyone has sent so many, John and his other three unit members eat and enjoy half of each delivery. The other half, they give to the Afghan children at the base of the hill they are on. Because of this kind gesture, the kids are now sending messages to my son whenever the Taliban are planning to attack his hill. Your cookies have help to save my son's life many times over!

I thank all of you for sending the cookies and for the unexpected benefit they provided.

He felt bad that he could not email all the bakers individually who send their address but he has not had any internet since April. John asked that I email on his behalf and thank everyone profusely.

Blessing of God on all of you and the fruit of your labor!"

sent on behalf of Cpl. John D.

Thanks from Geoff!

Please send along my thanks for all the cookies and breads! It was
quite a surprise and everyone enjoyed the packages. I really
appreciate the support of the Ohio Bakers - actually everyone who got
to share this with me does! We really appreciate a piece of home .
Thank you for the well wishes and support.

Your proud soldier,

SPC Geoff Correa

Our Mission Reinforced!

From Jake's mom......" I want to say to all of you who have sent Jake cards and care packages, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! He doesn't have the time or resources to thank all of you personally, but he has told Neal and I both how much getting mail and packages has meant to him. When they are traveling out on missions, they have to eat MRE's (a military meal that is dried and preserved in a box). Jake said that they shove as many cookies, cereal bars, jerky and snacks that they can into their packs, so that they don't have to eat "that other shit"."

Passing Along Thanks!

Elaine writes, "I would like to also pass on great thanks for all the cookies received by Thamir Rimbert. He told his brother, my son in law, how wonderful it was to receive them and to know that so many people care about them being over there."

Thanks Baking Gals!

I was recently deployed to Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan this past year and just returned home, and I wanted to thank you and everyone associated with the baking gals for taking the time to bake cookies for all of us overseas. My unit and I enjoyed the cookies, especially during Christmas, when being away from home can be very difficult. It was nice to know that people still care about the all of us overseas. Thank you so much.

SPC Benjamin Sargent

447th MP CO Ohio

Another Soldier is Back Home!

Thought you would be happy to know that John returned home recently. I know I am happy to forward this great news! John and his National Guard Unit, based out of Green, all arrived home safe and sound.

Again he wishes to express his gratitude to everyone who sent him cookies!

Sincerely,

Sally

Massillon, OH

Thanks Bakers!

One of our bakers, Pat, received this thank you today....

I recently recieved the box of baked goods you sent and wanted to express my deepest gratitude. My unit is stationed at a small joint security station with a very prmitive mess hall, so your home cooking came as a huge treat. My soldiers send their regards and thanks aswell. Thank you very much for the nice letter and kind words. I cant tell you how nice it is to recieve such support from back home. Iam also Catholic, so your prayers are also greatly appreciated--please tell your church thank you for me--it really means alot to me. God bless.

Sincerely,

CPT Brian Ivany

Read About Us!!

A wonderful article in the Elyria Chronicle Telegram today on our group. Trying to find the link...

A Haiku for the Bakers

One of OHBakes bakers received this haiku from one of her son's friends. HAD to pass it on!

Far away from home
Feelings of family seem near
When I taste cookies
M.S.

Email from Afghanistan

We recently received this email from one of our soldiers, Ryan.

"Thank You very much for your support. It's boxes like this that keep our morale up during rough times which a frequent over here. Our living conditions are not the greatest , 17 soldiers to a tent. And our heating and AC rarely work. We shower in tents and eat chow in tents, there are no hard structures like they have in Iraq. Afghanistan is a very dirty, rough, and hasty environment, but we are getting the job done. We dont love violence but we will do whatever is necessary to eradicate the Taliban and liberate the Afghani people. They are a very good a loyal people whom are under privelaged, poor, and un-educated. We are changing their opinions of the Western World and showing them what life is like when you are free. We are showing this war torn country that people do care about them and they are rtesponding very well to us. I cannot tell you about my mission because the Government classified it as SECRET, but I can tell yo that we are bringing the fight to the Taliban everyday, and we are winning the hearts of the Afghan people. Thanks again for your support, it is pople like you that give us a sweet reminder of why we fight. This has been the craziest time of my life. I have gone from the college classroom where I was learning about Finance to a warzone where everyday my life is in a constant danger. I cannot describe my feelings in words, but I can tell you that even though this is really hard and some day's have brought the most pain physically and emotionally that I have ever felt, I am still glad to be doing what I am doing and wouldnt have it any other way. I signed up because I have lived the perfect American life with the perfect American people so there is no reason why I should not give a little back to my country. Your support is much appreciated.

Thank You

-Spc. Ryan"

A Little Blurb...

....mentioned in the Sun News.

This Is WHY We Do What We Do!!

Dear Bakers,
My son, Ryan told me just emailed me to tell you how much they all appreciated the cookies and brownies you sent.
The soldiers in his unit have been working very hard. They are not on a base and so the food has been pretty poor to this point! Sometimes they get back to their camp and there is no food for them. They were all excited to receive the good homemade food you sent.
Thank you for baking for the MP 447th unit!
Sincerely,
Penny and Tom

A Father's Thank You

Thanks again to you & your team for baking all those wonderful cookies which came to my Son, Russ in Afganistan. He sure appreciated all those wonderful goodies that he received.

Just wanted to let you know, he home Safe now. My Wife & I went to Raleigh, NC & met his Plane that came in from the Far East. He arrived on Jan 13, 2010. He was really beat, and the time zones with approximately 11 hours difference between here & there.

Again, Thanks & God Bless

Joe

Martha Gives Shipping Tips

More Families Send Thanks!

Dear Baking Gals,

Ben has received your cookies! We just wanted to thank you again. He plans on writing you a thank you when he gets his leave the end of Jan., but he asked me if I would let you know that he had received them. Have a blessed holiday, and thanks again for your kindness!

Sarah

Also from Joe (the father of Russ)
"......THANK YOU VERY MUCH for making his Christmas very tasty.........

You guys sure do a wonderful job for the Troops. Thanks again.

God Bless & Merry Christmas & Happy New Year." Joe

Thanks from Jim's Family

I’m Jan and your group sent cookies to my Jim this month.(November Group 3) I can’t tell you how thrilled he was to receive them!

He received 3 or 4 boxes at the beginning of the month. Then he had to go out on some missions up in the mountains. At that time, he took a turkey and fixings plus a box of “his home made” cookies to share with his soldiers. As this group was far up in the mountains, they were sure they would not have a Thanksgiving dinner let alone ‘real” cookies.

Upon his return to base camp, he found several more boxes of cookies. He called his wife to tell her about them. She said it was the first time in a long time she heard laughter in their conversation.

Your thoughtfulness brings much joy to these soldiers and their families. God bless you and all the bakers working on your project.

Sincerely,

Jan

Matt and His Family Send Thanks!!

From Matt (Our December soldier-Group 1)
"I just recieved your care package. I just wanted to say thank you so much it was really nice of you to take time out of your day and think of us! There are 41 Firefighters here with me who all wanted to say thanks! We are all enjoying the great baking you have sent here. Can you please inform anyone else who may have helped with this package that it has arrived and we are all very thankful!! Once again Thank you, your support really means alot to us!"

Matt Smith

Firefighter

Kirkuk, Iraq

From Matt's mom Betsy
"I just received an email from Matt about the wonderful cookies, slim jims, cakes, peanuts, etc... he said they have received care packages before from military support groups but this was so much better then they have ever received. He wanted to know if I knew who sent them since the [some of the] boxes were from Westlake, so close to home. .......I too can not thank you enough. It brings tears to my eyes to think how very thoughtful you are to think of my Matt. I know how much this means to him, not being able to be home for the holidays. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart."

Our Baking Gals Get an Award!

Scott and his unit were kind enough pass on their appreciation to our bakers!!!
It reads, "In recognition of your generous contributions to 1-137th Delta Company Assault Helicopter battalion. We greatly appreciate your support to our Troops in the fight. Your thoughtfulness has brought an outlet to many service members as they serve away from their families and homes. We are proud to serve the wonderful citizens of out nation."
Thank you Scott!! It's our pleasure.

We have heard from Becky, the mom of one of our August soldiers, Matt Perrings. Matt called and said to tell everyone thank you for the cookies. He was so surprised and got so many that his unit enjoyed also and sends thanks. Matt has been promoted to Sgt. and he is to finish this tour in December and should be home for a few weeks , hopefully on Christmas.

Also from the parents of Kevin Quinn, one of our October airmen comes word that Kevin and his fellow servicemen were thrilled with the packages. He was able to share with others at a distant outpost. His dad said as one of a few Air Force on an Army base, the cookies made him a popular guy!

Baking Gals Featured in Taste of Home Magazine

Read about our national group in Taste of Home!