Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Happy Independence Day America!


Our care packages mailed June 4th have arrived! We have received great letters of thanks from those away from home on the 
4th of July so that we can 
enjoy freedom at home...

To the Pleasanton Military Families,

Thank you for the care package you shipped to LCDR Chris Bjornnes.  I am currently with him on board USS RONALD REAGAN, and he's been very generous in sharing your gifts.  

Hearing support from folks back home provides a genuine and instantaneous morale boost to the crew.  There are Sailors all over the ship who start to beam after catching a glimpse of packages.  And for those who didn't have something coming this time (myself included), groups like you win the day.

It is a privilege and honor to serve and your kindness makes it even better.  Much appreciated.

Semper fortis,

LT Rik Andrews
Task Force Deputy JAG






Hey Aunt Barbara,

I apologize for not emailing sooner. I have had back to back courts martial for awhile now, and I have been traveling way too much.  But I wanted to reach out and thank you for the care packages. My paralegal and I received them, and it was really fun for us. It made us feel like the people back home were thinking of us. I know for my paralegal, he has been having a pretty rough time away from his family. They definitely made him smile. They were very special. Please pass on our gratitude to the people involved putting those boxes together. Again, I appreciate it, and I am sorry it has taken this long for me to write.

Anywho, sending my love.







Hello,
I just wanted to thank all of you for the amazing care packages you mailed to our son Joe Urban! He’s currently on deployment on the USS Abe Lincoln, and was very surprised. Joe said receiving mail is a group event, so it brought fun and excitement to his buddies as well!

He emailed us to say thanks, so I wanted to pass it along. The 4th of July toys/goodies were a hit for all of them! Also, they enjoyed reading the letters from the kids.

This event is so great for the troops, but also the families! It warms my heart to know strangers are praying, supporting and going out of their way to give my son a gift that has value beyond the actual items! 

My daughter and I were able to help with the “pack out,” and were amazed with the amount of work, desire and joy so many had to do put this together!

We are truly thankful, and hope to see you for the gala and the next pack out! 

Joan and Mike Urban



And finally... a letter with great photos from a deployed unit opening their surprise packages....
Dear Azi,

Thank you and the Pleasanton Military Families for these packages. I have passed the packages to 5 separate platoons in our company evenly. So many times I've heard these Soldiers say," this made my day" or " I can't believe this". I cannot express the appreciation I have for you and what you all do . You have lifted the spirits of my guys up and I'm sure receiving these packages is a story they will tell later down the line.

Here are a few photos that came out decently that were taken by my guys of them opening these packages .