Got Our First Letter From the Desert of Kuwait...

[TwinMom7]

We received our first letter from our son yesterday - it was written on the 11th of February, so it took about 2 1/2 weeks to reach us. One quick explanation before you read the letter...I told him on the morning he left that I knew it sounded corny, but that he should look at the moon every night and I'd be looking at the moon and that would be our connection - we'd know that we were thinking of each other.

"Today is Tuesday February 11th and it's our third day here at Camp Coyote in Kuwait. The weather is nice, warm during the day and a little chilly at night. Every now and then the wind will pick up and blow sand everywhere, including in our chow. So far we haven't done a whole lot, basically a lot of sitting around playing cards, having safety classes and waiting for something to happen. Our camp is only 22 miles from the Iraq border and word is that they have thousands of soldiers waiting there for us. It is pretty hard to sleep at night knowing that they are that close to us, but I'm sure they are thinking the same thing about us.

Last Friday, we were getting ready to leave Camp Pendleton and we found out that they had a little surprise for us. So the whole company gathered in the parking lot by the buses to see the "Coors Light" twins from the television commercial. It was a nice surprise and they signed autographs and took pictures with most of the Marines. Then, we flew from California to Germany and from there we flew to Kuwait City, jumped on a bus and ended up here at Camp Coyote. Well that's it for today, we don't have any electricity in our tent, so when it gets dark, our day is over. ------- Today is February 12th and I just got done dry shaving because we have no running water. Our laundry goes once a week. We put it in a laundry bag and they take it to another base about an hour away. (We've learned since Bobby wrote this letter that the laundry service has been suspended due to terrible service and they are now doing all their own laundry in wash buckets). We have no showers, so we use baby wipes to clean ourselves. Please feel free to send some!! Also, if you could send me some batteries - size D and AA for my flashlight and headphones, it would be well appreciated. We don't have any contact with the outside world other than letters so it's pretty unmotivating, but we stick together and tell jokes and keep the morale high. I've been taking lots of pictures of this hell hole so you can see what it's like here. I love you all very much and I can't wait to see you all ... and mom, I see the moon very clearly every night".

Love you all!!!

Bobby


Needless to say, we were thrilled to get this letter - even though we know that a lot may have changed for him in the past few weeks. I guess we'll just have to get used to this delay in communication.

 

[Kirk]

Prayers! Again for your sons!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by TwinMom7
......I love you all very much and I can't wait to see you all ... and mom, I see the moon very clearly every night".

Love you all!!!

Bobby....

Patty, that really says it all. Thanks so much for sharing your family, a hero, with us. God bless him and all in harm's way.

 

[Pam]

I'll second what Kirk said - your son and all militay personnel and their families are always in my prayers and thoughts!

I am sure that you treasure that letter - and what a lovely thought for both of you to look up at the moon and know that each other is always in close to heart.

How many soldiers are in your son's platoon/unit? Could we organize something here on the DIS to try and gather batteries, moist towelettes, etc. and send a big Care Package over on a regular basis? Please let me know if this is doable, I would love to be able to help in some small way. - And this goes for other DISer families as well!

 

[wdwnutze]

Thanks for sharing the letter with us. My nephew is also in Kuwait and we love to hear from him. He really enjoys getting mail there also, even if it is just a quick hi. I love your way of keeping connected by looking at the moon. My thoughts and prayers are with your son and everyone keeping our country safe.

 

[TwinMom7]

Thanks Pam,

That's a wonderful offer!!! In regards to care packages, I know that a package has to be addressed to a specific individual soldier. Unlike in previous war situations when you could send a package to "any soldier". I also know that ANY package that is received is SHARED with all soldiers in a unit. There are approximately 100 in my son's unit, but there are thousands stationed at his base. Razors, baby wipes and D batteries for flashlights seem to be high on the list right now. Sometimes, you can get stores like Walmart to donate for a care package. If you decide to follow up with this idea, please feel free to email me and I will be glad to send you my son's address.

Thanks for caring!!

 

[debster812]

Patty-

Thanks so much for sharing this letter. I'm not sure if you remember, but you were the first DISer who actually reached out to me, and explained all about 'codes' to me about 2 years ago! I've never forgotten your kindness, and you and your family are in my thoughts ever since you posted that your son was being deployed.

I would also very much like to 'do something' for your son and his unit. Could you email or PM me with anything else they would 'like' aside from wipes and batteries. (Heck, I have both of those in house now, and would pack them up and ship them out if I knew his address). Any kind of food stuffs that would travel OK that they would like?

Let me know please.

Debbie

 

[Michelle]

Well that just brought a tear to my eye.

Thank you for sharing your son's letter, TwinMom, and thank you to your son for all that he is doing for our country.

The story about the moon reminds me of the song "Somewhere Out There". That song helped me a lot during long separations with my naval officer husband early in our marriage.

Somewhere Out There

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

BLESSINGS to you and your family!

 

[nativetxn]

Praying that your son stays safe, sweetie.

What a sweet letter. I cried when I read the part about seeing the moon clearly at night, I'll bet you did too.

Katholyn

 

[Krisu]

How wonderful you have heard from him

 

[Saphire]

Sounds like you have a few of us crying here, Patty, that is such a sweet sentiment between you and your dear son. Special thanks go out to you and all military families for your commitment to our country and please know that the prayers of a nation surround you during these difficult days.

 

[Big V]

Thanks for sharing your letter with us. It really let's us know how our young men and women are doing over there. I will keep them all in my prayers.
Scott

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have a wonderful son. Very touching.

 

[tiggerlover]

Excuse me while I clear the tears from my eyes.....

Patty, it sounds like you have a wonderful son. Thanks for sharing his letter with us, he will be in my prayers.

 

[tkyes]

What a great letter.

I would love to help too. Are there other things they could use? I can just picture these guys with more wipes and batteries than they know what to do with if we all send the same thing

Tamie

 

[jamsmom]

They would probably freak out if we all send the same thing Also, should we all send seperate packages or should we combine?

 

[newmousecateer]

Thanks you so much for sharing that with us Patty.

Prayers being said every day for all of our soldiers.

{{HUGS}} to you.

 

[oldkicker]

Thanks for sharing that wonderful letter. We're all looking at the moon and hoping that our soldiers are home soon, safe and sound.

 

[TwinMom7]

I've received so many personal messages regarding this and you people are all so wonderful!!! I just hope our military overseas can realize the depth of the caring from people like you, rather than the negative feedback they're getting regarding the protests going on.

Anyway, because of all the messages I thought I'd go ahead and post a idea list here of care package items. It will give you some facts in regards to what's good and what's not good, and package sizes and rules, etc. Please note that when a box is received, NOTHING is horded away and saved. You have to send a box to one specific soldier, but it will be shared with dozens of others.

Bobby's address is:

CPL ROBERT KNIGHT JR. USMC
B CO ENG 6TH ESB 4TH FSSG EQUIP PLT
UIC 42395
FPO AP 96426-2395

Ideas for care packages:

Razors, foot powder, snacks that can be shared, D and AA batteries, plastic containers with lids to protect personal items from SAND, any type of personal hygiene items including baby wipes, toilet paper, deodorant, tooth paste, eye drops, skin lotion, food items to share - packages of dried fruits, snack crackers, Pringles, Rice Krispie Treats, hard candy, gum, life savers. My son's personal favorites are Triscuits. Trust me - ANYTHING sent will be shared!!! I've also sent newspaper articles - especially sports sections. Just don't send or mention (if you write a letter) anything about war protests. We've been told that's very demoralizing to them - as you can imagine. And - think "desert" when you mail anything perishable - especially chocolate - not a wise choice. The main rule of "NO" is no alcohol and no pornography. EVERY package is being opened and inspected before a soldier receives it. We've been told that packages average 3-4 weeks, so cookies and home made items might not be a good choice. I found little cans of fruit cocktail this weekend with pull tops. They can "drink" them from the can if they have to. Letters from school children or scout troops would also be great, postcards from your hometown, etc. Also note that they don't want HUGE boxes sent - and that each box will have to have the contents listed on a customs declaration form at your post office, so it's easier if you take a list of the contents with you. I've been sending the larger size Priority Mail box from the post office - so a box of about that size would be fine.

Hope this helps and thanks so much for your thoughtfulness!!

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thank you very much for this info. I will plan on sending out a care package as well. I also just got off the phone with our scout leader and mentioned this idea. I do have some more questions for you.

1. Does Bobby know of some soldiers who might not have family that sends them packages? It would be nice to help out our soldiers, and judging from the response here, Bobby will get a bunch, including from us, but I guess I would also like to send cheer to other soldiers. And this is a great idea!!!

2. Does he know about the DIS? How would you like for us to let him know how we know you?