Happy New Year to our troops and their families. We wish you a peaceful 2008 blessed with your safe return home!
Today I came across this essay ("Hope Rides Alone") written in February '07 by a U.S. soldier serving in Iraq. Many of you may have already seen it circulating on the Internet, but I thought I would add the link here since the essay is so powerful and direct. Please don't feel that your sacrifices are not respected and appreciated. Hope does not have to ride alone and we will do our best to show our brave military families that we share their hope!
The author of this essay, Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, was killed in Iraq on September 19, 2007, at the age of 23. May we never forget Sgt. Jeffers and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation.
God bless,
Charlie
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Hello Melissa and Bailey
Melissa and Bailey,
Glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday. We had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year! We visited Gramma in Southington CT ,spending Christmas eve through weds. morning there . My kids also received Wii from their grandmother and boy your right "What FUN!".
Bailey what is your favorite game? What disks do you have?
I'll have to ask Deanna and Matthew what their favorite is.
Glad to hear family was here for you and that you enjoyed your holiday. Thanks for the update,it's always nice to hear how you both are doing!
Do you ever get phone calls from Iraq? Have you heard how everyone is doing? Please send our hellos, love and support to everyone.
Hope you have a very Happy New Year....
Good night ,
The Dittrich Family
Denise, Paul,Deanna, Matthew, Megan
Glad to hear you enjoyed your holiday. We had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year! We visited Gramma in Southington CT ,spending Christmas eve through weds. morning there . My kids also received Wii from their grandmother and boy your right "What FUN!".
Bailey what is your favorite game? What disks do you have?
I'll have to ask Deanna and Matthew what their favorite is.
Glad to hear family was here for you and that you enjoyed your holiday. Thanks for the update,it's always nice to hear how you both are doing!
Do you ever get phone calls from Iraq? Have you heard how everyone is doing? Please send our hellos, love and support to everyone.
Hope you have a very Happy New Year....
Good night ,
The Dittrich Family
Denise, Paul,Deanna, Matthew, Megan
Happy New Year!
Hello ! HAPPY NEW YEAR ! How was every ones holiday? Ours was great! We had a nice time visiting our family. Bailey got a WII for Christmas! How fun that is! What a good workout I was sore for days hahahaha! My Dad came back for a visit for a week! It is so nice to have him here with us! He is such a big help getting all the little jobs done that I cant or I just don't like to do! He is such a blessing! I wish I had family closer here but it is always nice when they do come to visit! Now the count down begins! Hopefully time will start to fly! Just wanted to check in and wish you all a Happy New year! May the Lord Bless each and everyone of you!
Love Melissa & Bailey
Love Melissa & Bailey
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Happy Holiday
Hello Hello Hello!!!!
Hope you are all doing well this holiday season?
The kids were wondering what you are all doing to celebrate Christmas in Iraq?
Do the people fron Iraq celebrate christmas?
Are there church services for different denominations? Do you have a big feast to celebrate like you did on Thanksgiving?
These are just a few of the questions the kids had when we were looking at the blogger.
We are all so happy to see you received the the care packages,it was great fun putting it all together for all of you. Thank You for sending Charlie all the pictures as it was great to see them in the slide show he put together .
Have you had a chance to try the Kiskadee coffee from Plymouth,MA? We just love the coffee ! If you liked it we'd be more than happy to send you some more. Our favorite is "Jamaican me Crazy" which has a very slight hint of chocolate flavor,very smooth flavor!
Well, Just wanted to drop you a few lines to let you know we are all thinking about you and your families over here in the USA and wish you Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New year!
Love, The Dittrich Family
Ledyard,CT
Hope you are all doing well this holiday season?
The kids were wondering what you are all doing to celebrate Christmas in Iraq?
Do the people fron Iraq celebrate christmas?
Are there church services for different denominations? Do you have a big feast to celebrate like you did on Thanksgiving?
These are just a few of the questions the kids had when we were looking at the blogger.
We are all so happy to see you received the the care packages,it was great fun putting it all together for all of you. Thank You for sending Charlie all the pictures as it was great to see them in the slide show he put together .
Have you had a chance to try the Kiskadee coffee from Plymouth,MA? We just love the coffee ! If you liked it we'd be more than happy to send you some more. Our favorite is "Jamaican me Crazy" which has a very slight hint of chocolate flavor,very smooth flavor!
Well, Just wanted to drop you a few lines to let you know we are all thinking about you and your families over here in the USA and wish you Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New year!
Love, The Dittrich Family
Ledyard,CT
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Merry Christmas to MWSS 272!!
A friend sent me a link to a very moving slideshow which seems perfectly appropriate at this time of year. Please view the slideshow here and remember the difference you are making in the world. Although you are thousands of miles from family and friends, please know that we are thankful for all that you do and we will keep you in our hearts and prayers during this holiday season. Merry Christmas!
God bless and be safe.
~Charlie
God bless and be safe.
~Charlie
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Golfing at Camp KV
MWSS 272 was recently visited by some professional golf personalities as part of the USO Tour in Iraq. The troops were able to play mini-golf and visit with Tom Watson, Tom Lehman, Butch Harmon (Tiger Woods first golfing coach), David Feherty (announcer), and Howard Twitty. Many thanks to the USO for all they have done over the years to support our military men and women!
~Charlie
~Charlie
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Thank You From Camp KV
Hello to everyone from Camp Korean Village Iraq. I hope that everyone is as excited about the holiday as I am. Even though it seems I am a million miles away, I still have the spirit of the Holidays. And that spirit was shown the other day when I got in a lot of BOXES. The holiday season is about giving and let me tell you guys gave. The response of all the boxes was overwhelming. Everyone was so appreciative and thankful for all of the gifts they received. I just can't express in my own words. Again, thank you for all that you do and have done. I am truly blessed to have friends as wonderful as you.
~HM1 Curtis Thaxton
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wishing you well!
Hello to everyone! Hope all is going well just wanted to check in with everyone. We are doing well getting ready for Christmas Have been to many Christmas events in the past 2 weeks and have had Breakfast with Santa many times. Taking drives looking at Christmas lights and singing our favorite Christmas music. Christmas sure wont be the same without Curt , but he is in our hearts! . Bailey and I will be taking an adventure to Ohio! What a long 10 hours that will be ! What did we ever do without videos in the car haha! Hope that you all have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your families and remember the reason for the season!
Merry Christmas!
Love Melissa & Bailey
Sunday, December 9, 2007
God's Work in Afghanistan
As you know, we were joined by Lori Hoekman and her children at our Scout Thanksgiving Dinner in November. Lori's husband, Keith, is currently deployed in Afghanistan on the Provincial Reconstruction Team. In addition to his numerous responsibilities, Keith has led an effort to collect and distribute important items to needy families in Afghanistan. To date, he has received about 100 boxes (over 3,000 lbs) and about 1,000 coats, 800 shoes, 900 hats/mits/socks, and thousands of female hygiene items. Truly amazing work!!
Keith and Lori have created a blog to share their experiences. Please visit the blog here.
God bless and keep up the great work!
~Charlie
Friday, December 7, 2007
Happy Holidays
Dear, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 ~
Camp Korean Village, Iraq
Hope you all are doing well and staying safe? Hope you have received and are enjoying the care packages sent by the kids..... Just wanted to send a little note of holiday cheer, support and prayer your way to say THANK YOU-
Much love and thanks,
The Dittrich Family
Ledyard,CT
Camp Korean Village, Iraq
Hope you all are doing well and staying safe? Hope you have received and are enjoying the care packages sent by the kids..... Just wanted to send a little note of holiday cheer, support and prayer your way to say THANK YOU-
OUR SOLDIERS
When the security of our land is threatened,We call on our soldier's might,To go wherever they're needed,To defend us day and night. They leave their loves ones behind,A great price our soldiers must pay.Let us salute their courage and bravery,
May we remember them each time we pray.
Each time we spot "Old Glory"Waving for all to see,Let's think of all the soldiers
that have kept it flying proud and free.
May god bless you and keep you safe....THANK YOU!
When the security of our land is threatened,We call on our soldier's might,To go wherever they're needed,To defend us day and night. They leave their loves ones behind,A great price our soldiers must pay.Let us salute their courage and bravery,
May we remember them each time we pray.
Each time we spot "Old Glory"Waving for all to see,Let's think of all the soldiers
that have kept it flying proud and free.
May god bless you and keep you safe....THANK YOU!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
to all the soldiers and their families !
Much love and thanks,
The Dittrich Family
Ledyard,CT
THANK YOU
We had a terrific time at the Mystic Pack 2 Cubscouts and American Heritage Girls Thanksgiving dinner feast. Thank you to all the children that did such a fantastic job serving all of us! The whole evening went so well,it was relaxing,enjoyable and yummy too!
The evening was made very special and was such a wonderful opportunity to meet two wonderful families that have husbands and dads serving to protect us ,the Thaxtons and the Hoekmans!! Thank you for take time out of your busy lives to join us ,it was very nice to meet you all. I really feel this has helped our children feel like the projects they have been working on are real and for real people like yourselves.
Thank you to Charlie and Heather Thompson for doing such a fantastic job in giving us all the wonderful experience of learning so much more about our US troops! Through the troop care packages,card making,special visitors, this blog,pictures,slide shows,thanksgiving dinner and the submarine field trip, WOW it has been a tremendous experience for our family. THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Denise and Paul Dittrich
Deanna9, Matthew 6, Megan 3
Ledyard,CT
The evening was made very special and was such a wonderful opportunity to meet two wonderful families that have husbands and dads serving to protect us ,the Thaxtons and the Hoekmans!! Thank you for take time out of your busy lives to join us ,it was very nice to meet you all. I really feel this has helped our children feel like the projects they have been working on are real and for real people like yourselves.
Thank you to Charlie and Heather Thompson for doing such a fantastic job in giving us all the wonderful experience of learning so much more about our US troops! Through the troop care packages,card making,special visitors, this blog,pictures,slide shows,thanksgiving dinner and the submarine field trip, WOW it has been a tremendous experience for our family. THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Denise and Paul Dittrich
Deanna9, Matthew 6, Megan 3
Ledyard,CT
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thanksgiving Message from Curt
Hello everyone, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know that this is the time for thanks and I am thankful for such a wonderful family, but I am also thankful for the wonderful friends that I have made and the support that is given to us out here in Iraq. I wanted to say thank you for opening up your heart and your house to my family. They where overwhelmed with the amount of support and friendship that was given. I look forward to the day that we meet and I can thank you in person. When I get back I want to continue this friendship and develop new ones with deployed service members. I want to show them the support that you have given us. Christmas is right around the corner and then time will fly by. Well take care and looking forward to the day our paths cross.
HM1 Curtis L. Thaxton
MWWSS 272 Medical
HM1 Curtis L. Thaxton
MWWSS 272 Medical
Monday, December 3, 2007
Run Silent, Run Deep
Well, we definitely weren't silent and the ship was docked so we didn't run deep either. However, our scouts had an amazing opportunity to tour a submarine this evening at the U.S. Sub Base in Groton, CT. Captain Rick Breckenridge, Commander of Submarine Squadron 4 in Groton, put together a fantastic tour of the U.S.S. Hartford. Our scouts learned about the ship and what life is like for the sailors who call the Hartford their underwater home. We were all amazed at how much equipment is packed into the sub and how so many guys can not only coexist, but function as a well-oiled and efficient machine.
Throughout the tour, I was impressed by the crew's courtesy, professionalism, and dedication, all of which made me feel proud to be an American. Many thanks to Captain Breckenridge, the crew of the Hartford, and their families not only for the tour, but also for their selfless service to our nation.
~Charlie
Throughout the tour, I was impressed by the crew's courtesy, professionalism, and dedication, all of which made me feel proud to be an American. Many thanks to Captain Breckenridge, the crew of the Hartford, and their families not only for the tour, but also for their selfless service to our nation.
~Charlie
Thank You From Melissa's Parents
Hello Charlie and Cub Scouts. We want to say thank you and God bless you for all you are doing for Curt and his group, Melissa, & Bailey. They are being blessed so much and we are very grateful. Curt is a wonderful man who loves his Lord, country and his family, more than anyone could know.
Thank you for sharing your lives and your hearts with these deserving, precious men and women, who sacrifice so much to make sure we are safe...and for their families whose sacrifice is beyond what we can understand. We continue to pray for the safe return of all our military.
May God bless and return to you all that you are giving.
Keith and Joan Marshall
Stow, Ohio
Parents of Melissa Thaxton
Thank you for sharing your lives and your hearts with these deserving, precious men and women, who sacrifice so much to make sure we are safe...and for their families whose sacrifice is beyond what we can understand. We continue to pray for the safe return of all our military.
May God bless and return to you all that you are giving.
Keith and Joan Marshall
Stow, Ohio
Parents of Melissa Thaxton
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