Page updated:
12/23/2007

Don’t Forget Our Soldiers!!!

Our ongoing list of things that we collect for our soldiers is as follows: shaving cream, eye drops, disposable razors (10 pk), deodorant for men or women, AA Batteries (8 pk), lotion, white sox, band-aids (one size), heavy duty wet wipes, Tampax Super Plus 46, Always Ultra Thin Pads 28, travel size Kleenex, combs, brushes, hair clips & bands, disposable cameras, beef jerky, powdered lemonade (12 qt), powdered Gatorade (2 gal), Pringle chips snack pack (8 pk), snack packs of raisins, Kraft handi snack packs (6 ea), playing cards, bags of individual wrapped candy, granola bars, Rice Krispy treats (individual), bags of M&M’s (individual size), nuts (up to 10 oz.), cookies (individually wrapped), crossword puzzle/game books, magazines, 12 oz. bags of ground coffee, mouthwash, International phone cards and letters to soldiers!!!!
 

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Update April 22, 2007

God Bless Our Troops!
 News from our Service men and women in Iraq. As you know from the media they are kept quite busy and so our email correspondence has been limited as of late which is completely understandable.  The first letter is from Chaplain Tony Jenkins of the 163rd MI BN stationed in Iraq. Our original unit had asked that if we had any "extra", could we please share with this unit because at the time they were not receiving much in the way of care packages. We were happy to oblige their request. The second letter is from Chaplain James McNeely of our original 224th MI BN. He was very grateful for all of the clothing that we had sent for the children of Iraq. Outreach from the soldiers to the people is so important. The good news is that the 224th will be able to come home soon as their current tour in Iraq comes to an end. We will continue to send to the 163rd for as long as they are stationed in Iraq and continue on with the unit that may replace them for as long as your generosity allows us. 
 
A box of cookies or candy or a book or a letter might not seem like much to any of us, but to them it's a lifeline to their homes and it means that someone is thinking about them. It doesn't matter that we are strangers to them, perhaps it means even more.
 
In the meantime, please keep all of our service men and women in your prayers each day.

Mrs. Pluchar,

We did receive all 305 care package boxes that your church sent.  The Soldiers are enjoying the wonderful gifts of food, personal hygiene, and magazines.  The care packages are a big morale boost and speak volumes about how much you really care about us.  Everything here is very good. I am busy visiting my teams that are spread out all over Iraq.  The Command group is sending a Thank You Letter and a US Flag with a Certificate.  I will put them in the mail on Tuesday, March 27.  Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and prayer support. 
May God richly bless you and St. Julie Billiart Parish.

Always in His Service,
CH (CPT) Tony H. Jenkins
Task Force Blue Watch Chaplain
LSA Anacona
Balad, Iraq

Sheila,

Here is the good news for you: Due to the overwhelming support of the American people, the hospital here literally ran out of room for clothing and support supplies for the Iraqi families. 
As a result I worked with the civil affairs people here to make arrangements for them to use the supplies you sent for their continuing operations.  I discovered just last week that your supplies went to help our efforts in the nearby town of Balad, especially with the school children.

We appreciate so much your willingness to help...and I am certain that the Iraqi people will never forget the generosity of you and your community.

We ask your prayers for our safe return, which does indeed loom larger and larger on the
horizon.

Please express our love and appreciation again to the parish.  I pray I might visit you all when I make a trip to visit my family in Indiana sometime in the Fall.

I remain your servant in Jesus Christ.
Chaplain (CPT) Jim McNeely+
Task Force Vigilance Chaplain

Update Dec 10, 2006

Small Things with Great Love

You cannot imagine how amazing it was to see the gifts for the soldiers come pouring in. The parish had a week's time and your response was overwhelming! Everyone who was able to take a tag brought in their items with joy and a smile on their face. Many had stories to tell, many individuals and families stayed to help pack the boxes, many offered to come back if we needed additional help. We had teens and 8th graders helping, we had a dedicated group from Young at Heart who have been busy sorting and packing the regular shipments. The employees spent their lunch taping boxes on the final day before the pick-up. It has truly been a "community" outreach. St. Julie Parish has much to be proud of!

Our work is not finished because the soldiers are not safely home. We are continuing our shipments so please be as generous as you can, when you can. We hope to plan a special Valentine Shipment for the soldiers so perhaps those who weren't able to get a Christmas tag, will be able to take a Valentine Heart. If you have any suggestions or would like to help us with this, please feel free to give us a call in the Parish Office and ask for Merilee or Sheila.

The packages (250) have started arriving in Iraq. I'm not sure that they have opened them yet, as they may be waiting to be closer to Christmas. In the meantime, the Chaplain sent this note of appreciation:

A Note of thanks from the 224th MI BN (AE)

On behalf of LTC Sanborn and the Soldiers of 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, thank you for all the wonderful gifts and support we have received by the good graces of your congregation. To be loved and supported in this way reminds us that we are servants of a nation of givers, whose love and compassion give us strength to continue our duty from day to day.

We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your service to us. Know that we are proud to represent you here...and defend the freedoms we enjoy in the light of your compassion.

Your Servant in Christ,
Chaplain (CPT) Jim McNeely+
 

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