What is it like to receive a "Miracle Box" by Sgt Jonathan:

The Desert Angel boxes got here today for all the Marines they all were like who is this and I explained to them and they were very appreciated them. Thank you so much!

Shawn Peterson

My name is Bill. I'm a Specialist in the US Army, deployed to FOB Normandy in Iraq's Diyalah province with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.

I'm writing to thank you for your card I found in a Desert Angels box I received a few days ago. It was so great to get these boxes, especially right before Christmas. It's really made this season feel like Christmas, and that's a tough job in Iraq. And you were right, the card was pretty funny.

Thanks Louise, the packaged arrived in record time. We really appreciate what you've done to assist in making this trip more enjoyable. I've been able to get my boss away from his desk, in order to relieve some tension. I haven't figured out exactly where to put the cup, but it's a project in planning. (SMILE) Again, I really appreciate your contribution. Oh, and retrieving the golf balls will ensure I get some much desired exercise. LOL

Francisco

Louise,

It has been almost a year since I have returned from Iraq. In that time I still have not forgotten what you have done for me and my team. When so much around us was ugly, when we were afraid, when we were so far from those we loved, when we had no comforts, you gave of yourself and reached across the miles to make our lives a little better.

An act of kindness extended to another is profound. I profoundly “Thank you” for extending your kindness to us, I personally do.

May your Christmas be blessed with peace and joy.
Thank you ,
Alex,

“I am the light of the world: he that followed me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of the life.” John 8: 12

If you are a service person who received a Miracle Box and would like to send a Thank You, CLICK HERE

Dear Desert Angels, 

First of all I would like to say “Thank you” for taking the time to write a letter and for sending the care package. We are at a FOB doesn’t have a lot of the luxuries that other FOB around Afghanistan. Internet and phones are a luxury that we do not have. What I am getting at is if wasn’t for our family and friends that send us packages we would do with out the simple things that one takes for granted, such as the things you sent me. Since I tend to receive more than others I share stuff with the guys in the platoon and they are grateful for that. We just recently got a coffee makes, microwave and a printer. So now we can have a cup of coffee in the morn and can simply put something in the microwave to eat instead of eating the MRE. Or cooking it over a multi gas stove. All of our electricity comes from a 15K generator, which will be put to the test this winter. They have extreme winters here and I am sure all the guys will have electric blankets and heaters going full blast! We are in the northeastern part of Afghanistan near the boarders of China and Pakistan, which have a lot of mountains around us. They help to block a lot of rain and snow. What I’ve been told it doesn’t help much with the temperature or ice. I’m from Washington State, which has similar weather such as Michigan. I’m used to cold, so hopefully won’t be too worse. One thing the military did was to give us a lot of winter clothes and that will help a lot. Either way it should be an interesting winter. I still look forward to some snow and with this terrain it will make some nice pictures and I love taking pictures! 

We have a lots of lighting around here also, because of the warm air during the day meeting the cool air at night, it makes for a good show come night fall. It’s really cool to watch while I am pulling guard, the way it lights up the mountains around us and goes threw the valley. 

Thanks again for the letter and goodies, it’s much appreciated and enjoyed by the guys in the 3rd platoon, Able Company, 2-503rd. Take care and I hope you and your family have happy holidays, eat lots of turkey for us! Haha!! 

Your friend, 
Travis - friend of Joseph Miracle

My name is SFC Wanda, I received your care package on Christmas Day; it was so refreshing. We had not received mail for three days; we were beginning to think that America had forgotten about us but you made us some happy campers. You should have seen us we were like kids in a candy store screaming and laughing all at the same time. 

I just had to send you another thank you for the Prayer Cloth. This was the best thing I have ever received in a care package. The cloth is so personal to me; I keep it in my helmet and when we roll out the gate I know I’m covered by the “BLOOD” and all Thanks to you. May The Lord Open Up A Window And Pour You Out Blessings You Don’t Have Room To Receive. 

Thank you again and again,
SFC WANDA 

Louise, 

I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know I have received three care packages from you, and that I have shared them with those I work with. We really appreciate all the efforts you put forth to support the troops. We can’t win this war without support from our loved ones back home, and you have gone above the call of duty to support us. Thanks again for all you and yours do. 

Sincerely, 
Kristain 

P.S. I’m a Mr. not a Ms… I got one care package that was all feminine hygiene products, which I was more than happy to give to the ladies here! 

Dear Desert Angels, 

A short note to let you know that I received your packages with the food, toiletries, and other items, and have distributed it contents. Thank you for your CONTINUED support, I know that the soldiers on my camp appreciated all the items you send, knowing that what we do is supported. I think the most desired items are socks, lip balm, canned fish/meat, suntan lotion, body lotion/moisturizer, wet wipes, tooth brushes, hard candy, nuts and seeds (canned, packaged, or in the shell), microwave pop corn, dried fruit, small cans of fruit and jerky. It really depends upon what type of unit a soldier is in and what their mission is as to what is particular a soldier may want the most. Those who camp is in the red zone have different needs than those of us in the International Zone, but these items cover a wide variety of needs, so any and all items are welcome. Thanks again. 

CW3 Michael 

Louise, 

I was just wanting to thank you so much for everything you have done for our troops and for my husband... Even though he is getting ready to come home to me and our new baby, there is no words that can explain the thanks I can give you for the packages that you have sent to not only my husband, but to some of his friends. You have sent his best friend packages and every time I had talked to my husband I remember one time he said "Bodie got his package today and he is just so excited" It makes my heart overwhelmed with joy. My husband and I want to thank you so much again for everything that you have done not only just for him but for all our troops. They mean so much to me and for you also or you wouldn’t be doing what you are doing. There are only so many people in this world that actually take the time out and do those kinds of things. And they mean so much.. As a huge smile on a persons face when they get a package. I know I loved sending my husband and his friends packages and it made me feel so good, so I can just imagine your doing it for TONS of men and women. Again thank you so much and my husband and I give you a big HOOHA!!!!!! 

Heather, wife of Sgt Cody 

If you are a service person who received a Miracle Box and would like to send a Thank You, CLICK HERE

Desert Angels, 

They have been having great fun with the golf clubs, when they can get them back from the officers, who think they are the best gift anyone has ever sent! There is a sign-up sheet to use them on base, one hour at a time, no more than 1 time per day! 

Sgt Chris 

Desert Angels, 

My son, Ryan received the golf clubs and balls! It relieved some stress but caused some too! EVERYONE wanted to take their turn!! 

Thank you, 
Paula 

Desert Angels, 

I am Chief Beckett, the Soldier that you sent the box to in Iraq. I just wanted to take the time out to say thank you and I really appreciate you taking the time to try to lift our spirits. Thoughtful and loving people as yourself really helps us Soldiers over here. Tell Victor thanks for the picture he drew for me. Again thank you and may the Lord bless you for all you do. 

Thanks, 
Tim 

Desert Angels, 

My son, Sgt. Anthony got the boxes, the golf clubs and balls. He was so excited! and they arrived just before his Birthday!!! Thank you so much. Keep up the good work. 

Margaret 

Louise,

I heard from Orren and he has started receiving boxes from you. He was so excited and delighted with the contents. He is sharing them with his unit. He thanks you for your generosity, time and commitment to the troops. 

Thanks from our family to yours for helping him in his time of need.
Eliz

**************
Louise,

Rec a special surprise last evg, Nov. 13th, Orren called from Iraq. Hadn't heard his voice since Sept. It was wonderful to a mom's ears. I'm still on a "high" from that call. He's fine, doing his medic work, but no major injuries to deal with so far. They moved to a larger base and plan on staying there for the rest of their stay, (but that can change). He's lost some weight, but hasn't been ill. At this larger base, they get more than one meal a day, so this is good. He has access to computers more, so that means more emails. His job besides being a field medic is at a checkpoint station. Always that "fear" of a car or person running the checkpoint and blowing things up, but so far, all has been good.

His unit has handed out some things to the Iraqi children, which they love. His unit has also adopted 2 dogs, both injured from the war. One is deaf and acts very strangely, but he's called meatball, as that was the only food they had on hand when they found him that he would eat. He's fattened up and they just love his company. The other dog was found in a "shit creek", his terminology, and water with lots of waste in it and they got him out. He's very ill, and even after 6 baths, he still stinks, so they named him Stinker. They hope with TLC he'll survive. Caring for the animals has helped their moral. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming he says they are all down a bit, but hanging in there. He again thanks you for the boxes; everyone enjoyed then, and the local children as well.

Eliz

Dear Desert Angels,
Upon returning from my first tour in Afghanistan, I was greeted by a sobbing Vietnam Veteran who explained to me the purpose of his tears. When he returned from his tour, people screamed at him, cursing him out, threw things at him and spit upon him. Calling him a murderer and baby killer, Nazi and “American Terrorist”. I’ve heard of many of stories like that as well. He was simply doing his job, following orders and SERVING HIS COUNTRY. And that was the Thanks he received. 

I cannot imagine having to deal with that, especially after volunteering to join American’s Armed Forces. My point is, you are our heroes. Putting forth all of this effort ensure American Soldiers are cared for, supported and backed by the people. Your devotion and persistence are truly appreciated. No amount of Thanks would display our sincere gratitude for all you support. You are a Godsend for deployed soldiers everywhere. 

Thank you so much for showing us you care. 
Sgt. Lindsey A. USA

Desert Angel, 

I am soooo glad that you emailed me, I wanted the chance to thank you for the hope that you and your people have sent to me, I have tried to be diligent in writing letters in response to every package I receive, I cannot tell you what it means to me that you and your friends have done this. So let me relay how one of my days went so that you understand, I go to bed around midnight and up the next day at four thirty in the morning for a mission that starts around six, I shave and go though the morning getting ready to go out and brave the world (witch is currently cold over here) and to my surprise it is raining and not just raining it is poring down out there, so now I am gonna be standing halfway out a tank all day in the poring down rain and cold, what a great start, so as the morning goes as expected lots of wind and rain in the face and I am thoroughly soaked by noon and by then I have been shot at like three separate times so that doesn’t help my mood any after the mission is over around five or six in the evening and I am about as cold and wet and miserable as one can be so we are at our company base and I walk through the door on my way to my room to drop my stuff off one of the guys calls me automatically I turn around and yell back WHAT as my mood is bad he simply states I have mail, like that the worlds problems melt away and a huge weight is lifted from my shoulders and hope is renewed to me as I hear those simple little words "you have mail " That is why I call them little boxes of hope, mail is one of our only links to what we call our lives the normal lives with friends and family good times and joy, this is the stuff we put on hold to work 365 days a year and 24 hours of the day we work and the rest of the time we are on call to work, because we heed the call that our country has asked us to do our duty. 

Again I cannot begin to thank you enough for all the hope and joy you have sent to me please pass this along to your people my many thanks 

Forever in your debt,
Sgt. Johnthan

Hello Desert Angels, I just wanted to let you know that we received your package and we are extremely grateful to you all. Thank you very much for your support. Those items go a long way I assure you and nothing ever gets wasted. Your boxes means more to us, than you may ever fully know! 

So on behalf of my teammates and myself, "Thank You" very much!! 
Brent 

If you are a service person who received a Miracle Box and would like to send a Thank You, CLICK HERE

Desert Angels, I got the golf clubs. You should see the smiles on some of the faces around here. The Marines are now trying to figure out a place to do some driving so that they can retrieve the balls and hit them again and again. They are also working on a area to putt. Well you have given them something to take there mind off stuff. 

Thank you, 
SSgt Franklyn 

Thank you for the help you sent me in the desert and for now for the help that you send me at home, Your help has always been in the form of hope and I have come to rely on it like a candle in the darkness you shine.
Thank you sounds hollow in what I really try to relay, sometimes words just can’t express there true meanings. 

Your Friend 
Jonathan

Louise, 

Thank you so very much for the your little care package you sent us, long after the candies and goodies are gone and the war is over, I will share your card with my grandchildren and tell them of your kindness, and generosity you have shown their grandfather.

Thank you,
TSgt Karl H. Olson

Hello “Desert Angels”

My name is SFC Doug. I just wanted to write and say thank you for the care package you sent me. The pillowcase was the most appreciate items. I had been sleeping w/o one and the age of this pillow was/is unknown, so a cover for it was very much needed. Since I work in the MWC (moral, welfare and recreation) tent, I took the rest of the things there and let the Troops who needed or wanted the items to take then. We are located at Camp Mauistar in Kuwart, which is about a mile or 2 from Iraq boarder. Convoys going north to Baghdad or south to Kuwait city stop here for fuel, chow, vehicle repair, a shower, nights sleep and whatever kind of recreation we can afford them.

The weather here is now in the 40s at night and 60s, usually sunny day. My unit arrived in late Aug and it was 130 when we stepped off the plane. It did get as high as 150 or so, a point the water had to be shut off as pressure from the rising water temp would have broken the pipes @ the seams. We were able to take completely cold showers and be perfectly comfortable up until Thanksgiving. Much different than there in Michigan. My unit 107th QMBN is out of Jackson, Michigan. 

Well I will close wishing you a wonderful New Year and again “Thank you for thinking of us!”

SFC Doug 

Thanks to all the “Desert Angels” who made these letters possible!

~ Louise “Desert Angel” Downs ~